Frequently asked questions...
What is Brominata®?
Brominata® is an all-natural feed supplement made from a specific, patented variety of red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis). Whole seaweed is mixed with other common feed ingredients to create an easy-to-feed pellet that is added directly to a cattle’s daily rations. The outcome is dramatically reduced methane emissions and improved energy conversion and productivity.
How does feeding seaweed to cattle reduce methane and improve productivity?
It all comes down to the natural chemistry of the cow's stomach. During normal digestion, a subset of microbes in the rumen called methanogens use CO2 and hydrogen for energy and create methane as a byproduct of their metabolism.
Brominata® contains natural compounds that block the key enzyme these methanogens need, stopping their metabolic process. With the methanogens out of the picture, other beneficial microbes in the stomach can use the leftover hydrogen and CO₂ to produce propionate, which the cow uses as an extra source of energy.
Where is the Asparagopsis for Brominata® grown?
To protect fragile marine ecosystems and ensure a consistent, premium supply, we do not harvest wild seaweed. Instead, we grow our proprietary strain of Asparagopsis in state-of-the-art, land-based marine tank systems.
Our sustainable cultivation and processing facilities are located in Baja California, Mexico.
Is Brominata® safe for the cows?
Yes, absolutely. Safety is our top priority. Brominata® has undergone years of rigorous, independent scientific evaluation. This includes live animal trials in both beef and dairy cows including an almost year-long full lactation cycle trial.
Studies show that supplemented cows remain healthy, active, and highly productive, with zero negative impact on their digestion or long-term well-being
Does Brominata® change the taste or quality of milk and beef?
Not at all. This was one of the most critical questions we set out to answer during our early trials. Consumers receive the same delicious, high-quality dairy and meat they expect—just with a drastically lower carbon footprint.
In multi-year research programs, meat and milk produced from Brominata®-fed cows has also met or exceeded the quality and safety standards of leading global food companies and feed regulators.
Manuscripts from this research are progressing toward peer-reviewed publication, underscoring our commitment to making the science behind Brominata® accessible to the public.
Currently published data and public abstracts include:
Mitigating emissions in grazing beef cattle
Dose-dependent effects on emissions
Who does Blue Ocean Barns work with for their research studies?
We’ve had the privilege of working with over a dozen respected research teams across the globe including teams at UC Davis, Cornell, and Iowa State University.
If you’re a researcher looking to study Asparagopsis please drop us an email: info@blueoceanbarns.com.
How much seaweed do the cows actually need to eat?
Remarkably little! Brominata® is highly potent and makes up about 0.5% of the cattle’s daily feed.
Because the required amount is so small, it integrates seamlessly into a farmer’s existing operations. It is easily mixed directly into the cows' regular daily feed rations without disrupting their normal feeding routines.
How do I purchase Brominata® for my farm?
Brominata® is currently approved for sale for beef and dairy cattle in Mexico and with more markets on the horizon.
If you’re interested in learning more about using Brominata® in your operations, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at info@blueoceanbarns.com.
