Algae could boost livestock productivity

Beef producers could soon benefit from a protein-rich and sustainable livestock feed supplement in the form of microalgae. The University of Queensland has established an Algae Energy Farm to cultivate and harvest microalgae for a range of uses, including as a feed supplement for beef cattle. The Algae Energy Farm, established by UQ's School of Agriculture and Food Sciences with assistance from Meat and Livestock Australia, is an off-grid 250,000-litre demonstration farm at UQ's Pinjarra Hills campus. Lead researcher Professor Peer Schenk said the farm showed that algae could be grown easily in Australian conditions, leveraging feed and fuel, and without competing for arable land needed for food production. "We are working closely with Australian primary producers to produce protein-rich feed to meet the nutritional needs of cattle and other livestock," Professor Schenk said Such a feed source would help mitigate large seasonal variations in pasture nutritive value and boost cattle growth. The UQ Algae Energy Farm was officially opened today (Tuesday 19 August) by Minister for Agriculture John McVeigh. "UQ, including the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, has worked closely with Meat and Livestock Australia and Xstrata Technology to establish this pilot algae farm," Mr McVeigh said.