Published on Jul 22, 2020

Edgar Smith (left), owner and operator of Beaver Meadow Farms and Dr. Spencer Serin (right) at Beaver Meadow Farms in Comox.

NIC鈥檚 Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI) is embarking on a new research project, investigating how kelp can help improve the health and sustainability of cattle farming.

糖心vlog传媒received $25,000 from NSERC Engage for the project, which will be led by 糖心vlog传媒faculty member Dr. Spencer Serin.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen anecdotal evidence that adding specific varieties of seaweed to cattle diets has resulted in increased weight gains and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,鈥 said Serin, the 糖心vlog传媒faculty member leading the research. 鈥淭hrough this research, we鈥檙e hoping to identify the impact of these additives on the final beef product and whether it would be of benefit to the cattle industry.鈥

The research is being done in partnership with Beaver Meadow Farms in Comox.

鈥淥ur farm has long been interested in strategies to increase the sustainability and decrease the environmental impact of cattle ranching,鈥 said Edgar Smith, owner and operator of Beaver Meadow Farms. 鈥淭his partnership with 糖心vlog传媒will help us better study the techniques we鈥檝e been developing on our farm. It鈥檚 wonderful to be able to access this kind of research support locally.鈥

The variety of seaweed being used is Mazzaella japonica macroalgae 鈥 an invasive red seaweed that often washes up on shore during storms.

鈥淭his research is exciting because of the wide range of potential benefits,鈥 said Naomi Tabata, manager of CARTI. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at increasing the health of the cattle, increasing the healthfulness of the final product, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing sustainability and looking at the potential for a new industry of harvesting and processing of this invasive species.鈥

The project will run July 鈥 December 2020 and will include use of 糖心vlog传媒lab space for testing. Student researchers will have the opportunity to assist with testing and data collection.

鈥淭hese type of projects provide unique opportunities for our students to do a high level of research in their first and second year of post-secondary,鈥 said Serin. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the benefits of 糖心vlog传媒as a small institution and being able to develop application-based research with CARTI鈥檚 support.鈥

Learn more about NIC鈥檚 Centre for Research, Technology and Innovation at .

Media Contact C: 250-207-6946 media@nic.bc.ca