Oregon State University (OSU) researchers have received a $1 million USDA grant to study the effects of adding Pacific dulse, a type of seaweed, to the diets of grazing beef cattle as a strategy to reduce methane emissions. Methane, primarily generated through cattle’s digestive processes, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. The study will examine how supplementing cattle feed with Pacific dulse—grown on the Oregon Coast—impacts methane levels in cattle grazing the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem, common in the western U.S.
The project, directed by Juliana Ranches, aims to provide an eco-friendly approach for beef production while also supporting the regional seaweed industry. Approximately 20 cows will graze annually on a 100-acre experimental range in Oregon, fitted with GPS collars and enclosed by a virtual fence. Researchers will test varying levels of seaweed supplementation to determine the most effective amount for methane reduction. Additionally, James Fox, an algal physiologist, will explore how cultivation methods and bacteria in cattle stomachs influence methane production.
This five-year project includes monitoring carbon dioxide and methane emissions using an Eddy Covariance Flux Tower and is one of the first to study the impact of seaweed in free-grazing, rather than feedlot, cattle. Partners include Oregon Seaweed and the USDA Northwest Climate Hub.
