Tech Researchers Promoting
Seaweed As Feed For Cattle

LUBBOCK —(AP)— Nobody has asked the cows, but Texas Tech researchers say a two-year research project indicates cattle might be better off chewing seaweed than grass.

The researchers say cattle fed with seaweed meal are more resistant to disease, gain more weight and are more likely to be of a higher grade when their meat is processed and sold.

That could mean millions of dollars for farmers and ranchers, officials estimate.

``The economic loss that infected grass has on beef, swine and dairy industries is an enormous problem,'' said Vivien Allen, a forage expert and agriculture professor at Texas Tech.

``Estimated losses to the beef industry alone due to fescue (grass) toxicity exceed $600 million annually. What we see is that the seaweed treatment has reversed some of the toxic effects of the infected fescue.''

The study included more than 1000 head of cattle that were fed either seaweed feed or common grass sprayed with seaweed extract. Any of the cattle that had previously contracted diseases from grass showed vast improvement, Ms. Allen said.

Seaweed contains high concentrations of vitamins A, D and E, but beyond that, researchers aren't exactly sure why it's good for cattle.

``We know it is good for people too, but like many things, we don't know why it is so good for disease prevention,'' Allen said.

Ranchers seemed skeptical but said they would give seaweed a try if it were available on the market.

``I've heard of feeding cattle different types of forage, but seaweed?'' said Ray Herbert, a rancher near Dalhart. ``Seems like the cow would get a sick stomach. But I've tried strange things before, and if the evidence is there and it was on the market, I'd try it.''

Tech researchers say they discovered the benefits of seafeed by accident.

Two years ago, scientists working across the hall from Allen treated grass with different chemicals and extracts, trying to produce grass for golf courses that would resist disease and constant wear. Allen overheard them talking about the experiments.

Allen said she immediately realized the implications for cattle.

``Better grass means stronger animals,'' Allen said. ``First, we fed cattle grass treated with seaweed. Feeding the cattle seaweed was a big step and we were skeptical at first, but the results proved positive.''

Kevin Pond, another researcher on the project, said a group of cattle which ate seaweed produced better cuts of meat then those fed hay. Better cuts are those with more fat evenly distributed throughout the meat, making it taste juicier and tastier, researchers say.

``The quality grade appears to go up about a half grade in animals that have been seaweed-treated,'' Pond said. ``This translates into better beef, a benefit to both producers and consumers.''

The university has applied for a patent for producing seaweed feed and hopes to market it next year. The research has just been released for peer review.