Alqueria Seaweed Methane Trial Cuts Cattle Emissions Over 80%

Colombia · Business

Alqueria seaweed methane reduction results are drawing global attention after Colombian dairy company Alquería and Australian biotech firm SeaStock completed a cattle feed trial using the seaweed Asparagopsis, reporting an emissions cut of more than 80%.

Inside the Colombian-Australian Trial

The trial paired one of Colombia’s largest dairy processors, Alquería, with SeaStock, a Western Australia-based company specializing in lab-cultivated Asparagopsis taxiformis. SeaStock harvests and processes this native red seaweed into a feed additive designed specifically for ruminant animals.

The companies confirmed the trial achieved a reduction in enteric methane – gas produced during cattle digestion – exceeding 80%. This figure aligns with SeaStock’s own product materials, which state the additive can surpass an 80% cut at what it calls the ‘low optimum level’ of supplementation.

While full methodological details of the Colombian trial remain limited, the result mirrors earlier controlled research. Australian government science agency CSIRO has documented Asparagopsis reducing methane by over 80% in beef steers, with some studies recording reductions above 90% and up to 95% depending on dosage and feeding conditions.

Why Livestock Methane Matters for Investors

Livestock accounts for roughly one-third of global anthropogenic methane emissions, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. For countries with large cattle industries like Colombia – which had over 29 million head of cattle in 2023 – cutting enteric methane is both a climate priority and a regulatory risk.

Colombia has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. The agricultural sector, particularly beef and dairy, faces mounting pressure to adopt scalable solutions.

A feed additive that slashes methane without harming animal health could reshape compliance costs for producers.

For foreign investors eyeing Latin America’s agribusiness sector, the Alquería trial signals that methane-mitigating technologies are moving from Australian labs into commercial Latin American supply chains. SeaStock’s expansion into Colombia suggests a growing international market for Asparagopsis-based additives.

How Asparagopsis Seaweed Works

Asparagopsis taxiformis contains high concentrations of bromoform, a naturally occurring compound that inhibits the enzyme responsible for methane production in a cow’s rumen. When added to feed at levels as low as 0.2% of dry matter intake, it can virtually halt the chemical reaction that creates methane.

Unlike some synthetic alternatives, Asparagopsis is a natural product. SeaStock cultivates the seaweed in controlled onshore tanks, avoiding the ecological risks of wild harvesting.

The company then processes it into a stabilized powder or oil form that can be mixed into standard cattle feed rations.

Australian regulators have already approved Asparagopsis as a feed additive for beef cattle. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority greenlit its commercial use, paving the way for companies like SeaStock to scale production. The Colombian trial represents one of the first major Latin American validations of the technology.

Alquería’s Sustainability Push

Alquería, founded in 1959, is one of Colombia’s most recognized dairy brands, processing milk from thousands of small and medium-scale farmers across the country. The company has publicly committed to carbon neutrality goals and has invested in sustainable packaging, water conservation, and now methane reduction in its supply chain.

For Alquería, the seaweed trial is not just a corporate responsibility exercise. Colombian consumers and export markets increasingly demand low-carbon dairy products.

European and North American buyers are implementing carbon border taxes and scope-3 emissions reporting, making methane cuts a competitive necessity.

The company has not yet disclosed the cost per animal of the Asparagopsis supplement or a timeline for commercial rollout. However, the trial’s success positions Alquería as an early mover in Latin America’s nascent methane-mitigation market.

Commercial Viability and Scaling Challenges

Scaling Asparagopsis production remains the industry’s biggest hurdle. SeaStock uses proprietary tank-based cultivation to ensure consistent quality and supply, but global demand would require massive infrastructure investment.

Current production volumes are measured in tons, while millions of cattle worldwide would need daily supplementation.

Cost is another factor. Early estimates suggest the additive could add several cents per animal per day to feed costs. For Colombian dairy farmers operating on thin margins, even small increases matter. Government subsidies or carbon credit schemes could bridge the gap, and Colombia is exploring agricultural carbon markets.

SeaStock is not alone in the space. Competitors like FutureFeed, Symbrosia, and Blue Ocean Barns are also commercializing Asparagopsis products.

The emerging industry could see consolidation, and first-mover partnerships like the Alquería-SeaStock trial may prove strategically valuable.

What Comes Next for Latin America

The Alquería trial opens the door for broader Asparagopsis adoption across Latin America, a region that holds roughly 15% of the world’s cattle. Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico – all major beef and dairy producers – are watching closely.

Each country faces distinct regulatory pathways for approving novel feed additives.

SeaStock has indicated ambitions beyond methane reduction. The company is researching additional bioactive compounds from seaweed for animal health applications, potentially creating multi-benefit feed supplements.

This diversification could improve the value proposition for farmers.

For now, the trial’s headline figure – over 80% methane reduction – provides a compelling proof of concept. As climate regulations tighten and consumer pressure grows, Latin America’s livestock sector may find itself turning to the sea for solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Alquería and SeaStock trial achieve?

The trial achieved a more than 80% reduction in enteric methane emissions from cattle using an Asparagopsis seaweed feed additive, according to the companies.

How does Asparagopsis seaweed reduce methane in cattle?

Asparagopsis contains bromoform, which inhibits an enzyme in the cow’s rumen responsible for producing methane during digestion. It works at low inclusion rates in feed.

Is Asparagopsis commercially available for farmers?

Yes, Asparagopsis-based feed additives are commercially available in Australia for beef cattle. The Colombian trial with Alquería represents an early step toward Latin American market entry.