A Tasmanian company is ramping up production of a unique red algae that, when added to livestock feed, reduces methane emissions that contribute to global warming.

Asparagopsis is grown on an ocean lease and in reservoirs on Tasmania’s east coast, and a new second site will be devoted entirely to growing algae on land.

Sam Elsom founded the seaweed farming operation through his company, Sea Forest.

For his efforts, Mr Elsom was named the 2025 Tasmanian of the Year.

He has also been recognized on the world stage – named finalist for the Prince William’s Earthshot Prize in 2023.

According to the CSIRO, methane from livestock burps and farts is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Direct emissions from livestock account for around 10 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

But Mr. Elsom is a little nervous when the new tanks arrive.

He desperately wants more farmers to embrace feed additives and welcomes local breeders to production sites.

The operation fascinated local sheep farmers and vineyard owners Bob and Pat Greenhill.

Farmers taking part in this visit will be involved in further trials across Tasmania.

Mr Elsom is passionate about using his anti-methane algae as part of a climate solution.

However, he is deeply disappointed by the Federal Government’s recent decision to exclude algae-based food additives from Australia’s carbon credits system.

“Unfortunately, we received news about a month ago from the federal government that they would not prioritize a dietary supplement method,” Mr Elsom said.

It’s a sentiment echoed by climate scientist Matthew Harrison of the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.

The livestock industry has set a target to be carbon neutral by 2030, and Professor Harrison believes algae additives should form a crucial part of a suite of methane reduction tools .

“The only way producers can adopt technologies, practices or any sort of innovation to reduce enteric methane is through carbon markets and some sort of incentive or subsidy,” he said. declared.

Algae technology comes to the UK

Meanwhile, Sea Forest has signed a deal with a British supermarket and agricultural chain.

Mr Elsom said farmers were rewarded for adopting climate-friendly practices.

“That took us to the UK and Europe,” he said.

“The initial work with Morrisons in the UK will rely on seaweed produced here in Tasmania, but in the long term the intention is to replicate what we have built here in Tasmania in the UK.”

Mr Elsom said if Australia did not adopt its own emissions-reducing asparagopsis supplements as soon as possible, the international market was likely to do so – and those with licenses would set up farms overseas .

A Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water spokesperson said the federal government recognized the value of marketing methane-reducing feed additives for livestock.

The spokesperson said the government had provided $8 million to the emerging industry to support this commercialization, and the ACCU program was an appropriate mechanism to encourage the use of low-emission feed for livestock.

The ministry has not confirmed if or when this might happen.

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