Posted 25 October 2023
Seaweed has been used in cultures around the world for centuries for human health benefits, agriculture, and more recently to improve the health, vitality and resilience of farmed animals. Universities in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland have all conducted research into the benefits of seaweed for the farming sectors, and as more insights are provided there are sure to be more products and supplements available to farmers.
Three of the main reasons seaweed is good for dairy cows are:
1. Nutritional Value: Seaweed is a rich source of minerals (including the essential trace mineral iodine), vitamins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and antioxidants. These collectively can improve the health and wellbeing of cows, and being totally organic is an added bonus.
2. Improving Gut Health: Seaweed contains natural prebiotics that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the cow's gut, helping to maintain digestive health. Good gut health means cows can efficiently break down and absorb nutrients from their feed, while poor gut health can reduce fertility and even affect calf mortality rates.
3. Boosting The Immune System: The polysaccharides and other beneficial compounds in seaweed can help to strengthen the immune system in cows (and people too). This makes them more resistant to diseases and infections, and also helps them cope better with high stress periods during their life cycle.
Recent research in Australia and New Zealand has shown seaweed can reduce methane emissions from cows. Cow farts have been blamed for contributing to greenhouse gases, so if seaweed helps reduce this and is seen as a natural sustainable solution, then it will keep all parties happy. Some studies have also shown that supplementing cow diets with seaweed can result in increased milk production and improved milk quality, which helps your farm production and profits.
You may have heard about seaweed usage in farming but not investigated it further, if so take a look at OptiSolve seaweed enhanced animal formulation from Blue Pacific Minerals, and contact the team if you have further questions.
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