New and refined techniques have been developed for cultivation of marine plant biomass (macroalgae, also
called seaweed), and the future production potential is expected to exceed that of terrestrial plants by 10-
fold or more. Macroalgae species are categorized into brown, green and red macroalgae, which contain
carbohydrate and protein fractions that are distinctly different from those of terrestrial plants. Within these
three main categories, it is possible to find species that have sufficiently high protein contents and organic
matter digestibility to make them interesting as alternative, new protein feeds for ruminant livestock –
provided they can be marketed at competitive prices in the future. Seaweeds and seaweed extracts have
been shown to reduce methane and increase feed degradation in ruminants. Additionally, they can be a
valuable source of protein. Specific Nordic species have been tested in the lab at the University of
Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, showing promising results. In this way,
seaweed as ruminant feed addresses two challenges of ruminant production: methane mitigation and
protein supplementation. However, there is a distance from scientific lab results to marketable, validated
products and we will address this in a CLIMATE KIC ideation project together with 2-3 Norwegian seaweed
producers. During this project, we will focus on the challenges facing nutritional and feeding validation as
well as product development and formation.