FutureFeed: The Townsville Startup Using AI and Seaweed to Cut Cattle Methane in Australia

Livestock are responsible for around 10% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Most of that comes from enteric fermentation — the methane that cattle produce during digestion. FutureFeed has found a way to cut that by up to 80% — using a native Australian seaweed.

Based in Townsville, Queensland, FutureFeed is commercialising asparagopsis — a red seaweed found in Australian waters — as a feed supplement for cattle. When added to cattle feed in small amounts (less than 0.5% of dry matter intake), asparagopsis dramatically reduces methane during digestion without affecting animal health or meat quality.

The Science Behind It

Asparagopsis contains bromoform, a compound that inhibits the enzyme responsible for methane production in the rumen. The discovery was made by CSIRO researchers and the technology was subsequently licensed to FutureFeed, which was established to commercialise it at scale.

AI and data science play a supporting role in the commercialisation process — optimising the seaweed cultivation process, modelling dosing requirements for different cattle breeds and production systems, and analysing the carbon accounting data that producers need to generate carbon credits under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme.

The Carbon Market Angle

Australian cattle producers who use asparagopsis can generate ACCUs under the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre’s approved methodology. Those credits can be sold on the Australian carbon market, creating a revenue stream that offsets the cost of the supplement and potentially turns livestock emissions reduction into a profit centre.

For Australian beef producers under growing pressure from international markets on climate performance, FutureFeed offers something rare: a science-backed, commercially viable way to reduce the emissions intensity of their cattle without changing their production system.

Related: Australian AI Companies: The Complete Guide by Industry (2026) | Australian Small Business AI Case Studies: Real Examples by Industry

This profile is part of SmallBizAI.au’s guide to Australian AI companies by industry and our Australian AI Companies directory.

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SmallBizAI Take

FutureFeed is worth knowing about if you run a healthtech business or work with healthcare providers and allied health practices. As part of Australia’s growing AI ecosystem, FutureFeed represents the kind of homegrown technology built specifically for local market conditions — Australian compliance, Australian pricing, and support you can actually reach. If you’re evaluating tools in this space, it’s worth a direct conversation with their team.

Best for: Healthcare providers and allied health practices.
Location: Townsville-based, serving Australian businesses.
Learn more: See our full profile at https://smallbizai.au/futurefeed-townsville-ai-methane-reduction-australia/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the science behind it?

Livestock are responsible for around 10% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Most of that comes from enteric fermentation — the methane that cattle produce during digestion. FutureFeed has found a way to cut that by up to 80% — using a native Australian seaweed.

What is the carbon market angle?

Based in Townsville, Queensland, FutureFeed is commercialising asparagopsis — a red seaweed found in Australian waters — as a feed supplement for cattle. When added to cattle feed in small amounts (less than 0.5% of dry matter intake), asparagopsis dramatically reduces methane during digestion without affecting animal health or meat quality.

SmallBizAI Take?

Asparagopsis contains bromoform, a compound that inhibits the enzyme responsible for methane production in the rumen. The discovery was made by CSIRO researchers and the technology was subsequently licensed to FutureFeed, which was established to commercialise it at scale.