CH4 Global,CirPro Australia launch methane-reducing feed additive

AUSTRALIA – CH4 Global Inc. and CirPro Australia have announced the successful processing of the first cattle fed with Methane Tamer, a methane-reducing feed additive whose primary ingredient is Asparagopsis seaweed. 

This innovative product has not only proven to reduce methane emissions but also enhanced feed efficiency in cattle.

The initial group of 70 cattle fed Methane Tamer for 100 days at a feedlot in South Australia has now been processed. 

According to CH4 Global and CirPro, these cattle met all welfare and quality standards, and the resulting reduced-methane beef is set for distribution in the domestic Australian market.

Incorporating the seaweed-based additive into the cattle’s diet resulted in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 

An estimated 105 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions were avoided, comparable to the carbon sequestered by over 1,700 tree saplings over a decade. This marks a crucial step in mitigating the climate impact of livestock farming.

“This is a major milestone in our journey to dramatically reduce the climate impact of livestock farming while continuing to provide the nutritious, affordable animal protein that a growing world population depends on,” said CH4 Global CEO Steve Meller.

Methane emissions from livestock are a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with methane being over 80 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2 over 20 years. 

Methane Tamer leverages the unique properties of Asparagopsis seaweed to reduce these emissions by 70 percent when added to cattle feed.

“We have now shown that feeding cattle Methane Tamer™ at a commercial scale improves efficiency and is 100 percent safe for the animals,” said Reg Smyth, CEO of CirPro Australia.

Smyth further explained that the cattle given Methane Tamer achieved the same weight gain as a control group while consuming less feed, demonstrating improved feed conversion efficiency over the 100 days.

CH4 Global and CirPro have closely collaborated to usher in a new era of reduced-methane beef production. The partnership began with CH4 Global’s first commercial delivery of Methane Tamer to CirPro in January 2024.

The reduced-methane beef is initially being sold to retailers in South Australia, with plans to begin export sales in September.

“Together with our partners, we are significantly increasing the number of cattle consuming Methane Tamer™ while also establishing the ability to export this reduced-methane beef to meet growing global demand,” Meller added. “This will enable – for the first time – a complete end-to-end supply chain from seaweed cultivation to consumers’ plates, without relying on carbon rebates or credits. That’s the key to successfully scaling this solution commercially, sustainably, and globally.”

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