Year Awarded 2020
FFAR award amount $200,000
Total award amount $603,500
Location Greenfield, MA
Matching Funders Australis Aquaculture
Grantee Institution Greener Grazing
Methane is a potent climate pollutant that has more than 40 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide when released into the atmosphere. Ruminants, such as sheep, goats and cattle, release enteric methane from normal digestive processes primarily through “burps.” Previous research has shown that feeding a red seaweed, Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT), to cattle can dramatically reduce enteric methane emissions; however, AT is not readily available in large quantities for livestock. To address this challenge, the we awarded a $200,000 grant to Greener Grazing, LLC, a subsidiary of Australis Aquaculture, LLC, to develop the world’s first seed bank and ocean cultivation techniques for AT.
Grant OutcomeResearchers developed improved methods to grow a red seaweed that, when fed to cattle, can significantly reduce methane released during their natural digestion. Scaling up year-round production of this seaweed could help overcome supply challenges, support U.S. dairy and beef industry goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and create new opportunities for farmers and coastal communities.