3-way Partnership to Reduce Methane Emissions

Symbrosia, a Hawai’i-based startup, has announced a partnership with women-led livestock producer Carman Ranch, a leader in regenerative agriculture, and America’s first carbon neutral foods company, Neutral Foods. The three companies will collaborate to integrate Symbrosia’s natural, methane-reducing seaweed feed additive, SeaGraze™, into the diet of Carman Ranch livestock. SeaGraze has shown in multiple tests a reduction in livestock methane emissions by over 80%. The initial pilot is set to begin later this year with plans to scale following a successful trial.

Grazing cattle rotated across pastures sequester carbon and improve soil health. However, cattle emit more methane when digesting grass than other diets, meaning that enteric methane emissions make up a large portion of these animals’ carbon footprint. Reducing enteric methane emissions from grazing beef cattle is an opportunity to drastically reduce the carbon intensity of beef production.

Together, the companies plan to “produce sustainable animal products, give consumers a healthy, environmentally-friendly choice, and show the world how livestock can be a force for good.”

“SeaGraze™ alongside regenerative grazing practices will help produce some of the most sustainable beef on the planet,” said Alexia Akbay, CEO of Symbrosia. “This is the direct result of collaboration between a passionate group of individuals that care deeply about agriculture and the future of our species.”

For the initial pilot, Carman Ranch, Neutral, and Symbrosia will collaborate to integrate Symbrosia’s natural, methane-reducing seaweed feed additive into the diet of 50 Carman Ranch cattle. Neutral and Symbrosia will bring leading researchers, partners, equipment, and procedures to measure methane emissions and conduct a full life cycle analysis and generate verified carbon credits.

“Neutral’s mission is to sell carbon neutral versions of staples found in most US households and scale climate smart practices,” said Ann Radil, head of carbon reduction at Neutral. “The Neutral, Carman Ranch, and Symbrosia partnership is about more than reducing one product’s carbon footprint, it’s about demonstrating that a new climate-smart food system is possible.”

Symbrosia closed its $7 million Series A funding round in June with leading investor Danone Manifesto Ventures, while Neutral announced the closing of its $12 million funding round last week, led by Bill Gates founded investment fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures.