Provectus Algae, a Noosaville startup, has developed an algae-based cattle feed supplement that it says is targeting around 65 per cent emissions reduction, and a $3.8 million Queensland government grant will help it commercialise the product.
The supplement is based on CSIRO's 2011 discovery that Asparagopsis seaweed could significantly reduce methane from livestock. However, a 2024 Murdoch University study found cattle avoided feed with higher concentrations of the seaweed and there was evidence of ulceration and inflammation in cows' stomachs. Provectus said it swapped the native seaweed and recreated its processes using other algae and photosynthetic microbes.
"It's a bioidentical product to what's found in the Asparagopsis itself," said CEO Nusqe Spanton. "We have done extensive safety testing, and we've proven that there is no residue within the animal, and we've proven safety throughout the animal supply chain."
Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the state contained half the national cattle herd, worth more than $14 billion to the Queensland economy. "That's why we're continuing to back smart research, smart people and taking those opportunities into commercialisation," he said.
University of Melbourne carbon farming professor Richard Eckard said additives worked better in feedlots, where supplements were continuously eaten. He said the cattle industry needed either major productivity gains or very low priced additives to get a return on investing. "We really needed to get it [supplement costs] below 10 cents an animal per day to get the carbon credit value."
Mr Spanton said he believes his product has a price advantage, with an average cost of 8 cents per animal per day at a ratio of one gram per kilogram of feed. Provectus has run pilot trials with more than 3,000 cattle, including on Mort and Co feedlots on Queensland's Darling Downs. He said the supplement targets around 65 per cent emissions reduction in feedlot, pastoral and dairy applications.
The Victorian, Tasmanian, South Australian and Western Australian governments have also invested in businesses to accelerate efforts to lower livestock emissions. A separate 2025 study found Australia's grain-fed cattle emissions were 56 per cent lower than previously believed.
Professor Eckard said the cattle industry needed a mixture of options to address methane, given the difficulty of delivering supplements in the northern grazing industry where properties span hundreds of square kilometres.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Livestock methane is responsible for more than 10 per cent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions.
- A commercially viable supplement could help the cattle industry reduce its carbon footprint without reducing herd size.
- The product may offer a cost advantage over other solutions, potentially accelerating adoption.
Background
CSIRO discovered in 2011 that Asparagopsis seaweed could dramatically cut livestock methane. But a 2024 Murdoch University study highlighted health concerns and feed avoidance at higher doses. Provectus Algae, founded eight years ago, has since developed a library of photosynthetic microbes and created a supplement that mimics the seaweed's active compounds using different algae. The company now aims to commercialise the product with government backing.
Key Perspectives
Provectus Algae CEO Nusqe Spanton: Says the supplement achieves about 65% emissions reduction, costs 8 cents per animal per day, and has passed safety testing with no residue in the animal supply chain.
Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett: Says the state is backing smart research and commercialisation, noting Queensland holds half the national cattle herd.
University of Melbourne professor Richard Eckard: Says feed additives work best in feedlots, costs need to fall below 10 cents per animal per day for carbon credit value, and advises producers to seek premiums for low-emission food.
What to Watch
- Larger-scale commercial trials on feedlots and pasture, including results from Mort and Co feedlots on the Darling Downs.
- Whether the supplement can be efficiently delivered to grazing cattle on vast northern properties.
- Global adoption pressure, given the world cattle population has grown 67% since 1961 to about 1.5 billion head.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Noosa startup’s algae feed supplement aims to reduce cattle methane.Latest business news: “"We target a range in the feedlot industry, pastoral and dairy applications of around 65 per cent emissions reduction," Mr Spanton said.”
- SupportedProvectus Algae has developed algae-based cattle feed additives.Latest business news: “Among its work, it's using algae to make granular and liquid cattle feed additives for feedlots, paddocks and dairy farms.”
- SupportedA $3.8 million Queensland government grant will help Provectus Algae commercialise its cattle feed supplement.Latest business news: “Now a $3.8 million Queensland government grant will help the company commercialise its cattle feed supplement.”
- SupportedSpanton says the product targets around 65 per cent emissions reduction in feedlot, pastoral and dairy applications.Latest business news: “"We target a range in the feedlot industry, pastoral and dairy applications of around 65 per cent emissions reduction," Mr Spanton said.”
- SupportedSpanton said, “It's a bioidentical product to what's found in the Asparagopsis itself.”Latest business news: “"It's a bioidentical product to what's found in the Asparagopsis itself," he said.”
- SupportedSpanton said the company had done extensive safety testing, proven there was no residue within the animal, and proven safety throughout the animal supply chain.Latest business news: “"We have done extensive safety testing, and we've proven that there is no residue within the animal, and we've proven safety throughout the animal supply chain."”
- SupportedThe supplement’s recipe was built on CSIRO’s 2011 discovery that native Asparagopsis seaweed could significantly reduce livestock methane emissions.Latest business news: “The recipe was built on CSIRO's 2011 discovery that native Asparagopsis seaweed could significantly reduce methane emissions from livestock.”
- SupportedA 2024 Murdoch University study found cattle avoided feed with higher Asparagopsis concentrations.Latest business news: “However, a 2024 Murdoch University study found cattle avoided feed with higher Asparagopsis concentrations”
- SupportedThe 2024 study found evidence of ulceration and inflammation in cows’ stomachs.Latest business news: “and there was evidence of ulceration and inflammation in cows' stomachs.”
- SupportedPerrett said, “That's why we're continuing to back smart research, smart people and taking those opportunities into commercialisation.”Latest business news: “"That's why we're continuing to back smart research, smart people and taking those opportunities into commercialisation," he said.”
- SupportedEckard said additives worked better in feedlots, where supplements were continuously eaten.Latest business news: “University of Melbourne carbon farming professor Richard Eckard said additives worked better in feedlots, where supplements were continuously eaten.”
- SupportedEckard said, “We really needed to get it [supplement costs] below 10 cents an animal per day to get the carbon credit value.”Latest business news: “"We really needed to get it [supplement costs] below 10 cents an animal per day to get the carbon credit value."”