Source: UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT submitted to
FEEDING SEAWEED TO ORGANIC DAIRY COWS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1026727
Grant No.
2021-51300-35226
Cumulative Award Amt.
$2,900,000.00
Proposal No.
2021-02893
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[113.A]- Organic Agriculture Research & Extension Initiative
Project Director
Conner, D. S.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
(N/A)
BURLINGTON,VT 05405
Performing Department
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Non Technical Summary
Feeding seaweed to cows is already common in the organic dairy industry, but currently only wild-harvested, dried, ground rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) is widely available. The organic aquaculture industry farms numerous different species and has the capacity to process the harvest to significantly impact its dietary quality. The objectives of this proposed program are to work with both the organic dairy industry and the organic aquaculture industry to further develop this collaboration while financially benefiting both markets in a sustainable manner. By working directly with stakeholders, we aim to 1) identify currently perceived benefits and drawbacks of dietary seaweed inclusion in US organic dairy herd diets, 2) characterize organic seaweeds already available in the US that could be scaled up for broad adoption, and assess the impact of different processing methods on the chemical profile of the seaweeds, 3) use in vitro and in vivo methods to quantify the impact of feeding different combinations of seaweed species/processing methods on organic dairy cow health performance, and land nutrient cycling, 4) validate the impacts of dietary seaweed and demonstrate effective use and management of this strategy in partnership with commercial organic dairies, 5) complete a supply chain analysis to identify the potential of this market, and 6) seamlessly intertwine stakeholder and public outreach activities to gain widespread adoption and support for these sustainable organic practices, while creating long-term educational materials that will be incorporated into academic curricula to fuel the passion and skillset development in the next generation of organic stakeholders and scientists.
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
40%
Applied
40%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3023410106050%
1020199101025%
2042150100025%
Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals; 204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest); 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships;

Subject Of Investigation
0199 - Soil and land, general; 3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal; 2150 - Aquatic plants;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1000 - Biochemistry and biophysics;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of this project is to enhance organic dairy profitability by boosting milk productivity and animal health while improving land stewardship and nutrient cycling through evidence-based use of dietary organic seaweed feedstuffs. The use of dietary organic-certified seaweed to address our goal carries additional benefits for the organic industry through improved demand of organic seaweed industry products. The specific objectives are to:Engage organic dairy and seaweed industry stakeholders to identify the limitations and benefits of seaweed inclusion in organic dairy diets;Determine the benefits and drawback of organic seaweed feeding supplements at the animal, farm, and ecosystem scales;Validate and demonstrate the use of seaweed in commercial partner organic dairy farms;Assess the impacts of seaweed feeding on the organic supply chain via interviews with feed suppliers, seaweed producers, and others; andCreate a broad outreach program that includes demonstration and education opportunities to a variety of audiences.
Project Methods
ACTIVITY 1: Stakeholder perceptions of organic seaweed supplements and in vitro evaluations of nutritional valueActivity 1.1: Farmer knowledge, understanding, acceptance, and extension. We will use in-person and phone interviews, surveys, and focus groups to measure organic farmer understanding and interest in seaweed technologies. We will interview ~10 early organic adopters of dietary seaweed supplements to quantify perceived and measured effects on dairy production. This first round of interviews will guide a subsequent focus group of 8-10 organic dairy farmers not using seaweed-based feed to elicit their input into designing more attractive seaweed feed technologies and systems in years 1 and 2; members for each cohort have already been identified. Survey results will be analyzed to identify attitudinal, socio-demographic, and farm structure variables associated with interest in the seaweed-based feeds.Activity 1.2: Formation of Advisory Panel. Based on the feedback and responses from Activity 1.1, we will form an advisory panel of 12 members. This panel will help in selecting research focus for Activities 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2, and will meet via video quarterly.Activity 1.3: Evaluate nutritional profile and rumen impact of organic seaweed. Commercially available organic seaweed supplements will be utilized in a combination of in vitro and in vivo trials to assess dairy production responses and land impacts.Nutritional characterization of seaweed: Seaweed species or seaweed blends subjected to individual or combination processing methods will be selected and analyzed to determine both the nutritive value of the seaweeds and the impact of processing method on chemical profile. Cumulatively, these methods will be used to generate a thorough assessment of the nutritional value of each species/processing combination and indicate ranges and limitations (based on safety, availability, and anticipated performance impacts) for inclusion rates as feed supplements for further in vitro and in vivo experimentation. A subset of treatments will be selected for further analysis based on likely commercial adoption success, with particular consideration for post-harvest handling ease, large-scale processing feasibility, likely success in incorporating into dairy rations, and nutrient profile and quality.Impact of seaweed feedstuffs on rumen performance: The selected seaweed/processing combinations will undergo further in vitro assessment using continuous culture fermenters. Treatments will be compared using Latin square experiments. The impact of feeding seaweed using both a fresh forage-based diet (experiment 1) and a hay forage-based diet (experiment 2) will be completed to model the impacts when feeding during the summer grazing season and the winter (indoor) season, respectively.ACTIVITY 2: Impact of dietary seaweed on animal and farm system performanceIn vitro assessment results from Activity 1 will be shared with the Advisory Panel, who will participate in a working group discussion to select 2 treatments for assessment in the in vivo experiments outlined in Activity 2.Activity 2.1: In vivo assessment of dietary seaweed on organic dairy performance during the grazing season. This will be an in-depth research trial performed using the certified organic commercial dairy herd during the summer while cows are grazing on pastures. The benefits and nutrient cycling of seaweed feed additives during each of the trials will be assessed.Activity 2.2: Impact of seaweed supplement on dairy performance during the winter season. We will repeat assessment of the selected seaweed/processing treatments used in Activity 2.1 during the winter, using certified organic dairy cows housed indoors and being fed a typical winter lactating cow diet.Activity 2.3: Assessment of manure impacts on land and natural resources. We will examine how seaweed feed supplements affect the soil-crop agroecosystem by establishing experimental plots in pastures, treating these plots with excreta from cows receiving seaweed supplements, and then evaluating the fate of N in the excreta. We will conduct these plot experiments during periods to align with the in vivo assessments of dietary seaweed supplements during the pasture and winter seasons (Activities 2.1 and 2.2, respectively). We will measure emissions of CH4, CO2, and N2O. We will use the amount of N accumulated in buried resin bags as a proxy for soil N leaching. DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) modeling simulations will be tweaked by adjusting the C:N and quantity of supplemental feed and manures as they may change during experimental trials. Model simulations will then be updated using data gathered during in vivo trials to parameterize feed quantities and C:N chemistry, animal efficiency, quantity and C:N chemistry of outputs (CH4, urine, manure), and nutrient cycling associated with output deposition location and decomposition environment. Once parameterized, sensitivities for C and N nutrient flows will be evaluated, with a focus on interactions with water and consequences on N leaching and soil GHG emissions.ACTIVITY 3: Commercial partner farm validation of seaweed supplement use To validate the efficacy of dietary seaweed in a commercial setting, Wolfe's Neck Center and Hudson Carbon will implement the optimized diet choice based on results from Activities 1 & 2. Determination of the "optimal choice" will be based on input from the Advisory Panel (which also includes representation from both of these commercial farms, as described in Activity 1.2).After initial farms surveys, the "optimal choice" supplement will be included in the lactating cow diet being fed to milking cows on both farms, and will be continuously fed during the summer grazing period, and during a second period during the winter indoor period. The specific outreach activities being performed in collaboration with these commercial organic dairies, which includes real-time demonstration as well as workshops and training opportunities, is listed in Activity 5.ACTIVITY 4: Supply chain analysisThe analytical frames for supply chain analysis, focused specifically on the organic sector, will be transaction costs and the value chain. For outsourced seaweed, our analysis will explore mutually beneficial partnerships to supply organic seaweed into feed supply chains. We will examine both flow of product downstream and the flow of information (i.e., efficacy and performance of product, affordability, end-user acceptance). We will conduct ~20 interviews of feed suppliers, seaweed producers and processors, and others in the feed supply chain, developed in part by snowball sampling. Interview questions will focus on perceived organic farmer acceptability; current procurement strategies; ease of certifying seaweed farms and processing facilities and incorporating seaweed into existing organic supply chains; willingness to form partnerships in the supply chain; and impacts of organic seaweed incorporation on feed supplier revenues (prices received and volumes sold), costs (how will organic seaweed's costs compare with other feed inputs it will be replacing), and profitability.ACTIVITY 5: Outreach plan and educationActivity 5.1: Information sharing activities. Industry stakeholders will be sharing information throughout the entire project at different capacities, including 1) as participants in on-farm seaweed feeding validation (outlined in Activity 3), 2) as demonstrators (through on-farm demonstration and open-source data sharing), and 3) as participants in workshops and meetings. Commercial farm partners will also serve as the public-facing demonstration farms.Activity 5.2: Targeted teaching opportunities. Additional teaching and training opportunities will be used expand to academic, and applied on-farm teaching opportunities (see Audience section for more details).

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audience is local farmers, both on the research site farm and in the community who are potentially interested in the use of seaweed as a feed additive and changing management practices to mitigate GHG emissions and improve productivity. The projects provided are targeted towards organic dairy farmers and researchers Organic and conventional dairy farmers, academics, policy makers, industry representatives and extension personnel. Dairy grazing apprenticeship/Trainees Regional dairy farmers Extension providers and agricultural support organizations General public, including families with children Summer camp-aged kids, middle and elementary school groups Undergraduate students Policymakers, Academics, Advocacy Organizations. Dairy farmers, dairy farm nutritionists, dairy product producers, general public Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Four graduate students attended a project meeting and interacted with a variety of scientists involved in the project. Two graduate students trained in literature review, interview, survey and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. WNC research, farm staff, and apprentices attended the 2024 Northeast Grazing & Livestock Conference - Provided Lab Technicians with experience collecting green house gas flux data using a multiplexed static chamber system. (Daniel Kaufman, Jack Ryan, Tiffany Runge) The projects stated have led to professional development through conference attendance and improvement in the handling/use of dairy cattle for both graduate and undergraduate students. May-August 2024: Undergraduate NSF-REU student from UNE at Bigelow Laboratory - Training in on-farm methane measurements. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 9.18.23, Tour with International Association of Milk Control Agencies, 35 attendees 9.19.23, Tour Maine Medical Center Residents, 40 attendees 9.20.23, Presentation at World Wildlife Fund Oceans2050 Event, 75 attendees 10.31.23, Field Trip, Yarmouth Middle School Program, 100 attendees 11.16.23, Presentation with Maine Association of GIS Users Conference, 50 attendees 1.18.24, Agroecological Research Meeting with the Trustees of Reservations, 15 attendees 5.24.24, Lewiston Middle School Field Trip, 125 attendees 6.4.24, Northeastern Association of State Departments of Agriculture Presentation, 50 attendees 8.13.24, WNC Pasture Walk, cohosted with UMaine Extension, estimated 15 attendees The dissemination of results have been primarily through conference attendance. General public: Podcast Maine Science Festival, 8th August 2023, Kevin Posman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MvRrl_LtS8 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?we will continue UNH dairy research, and repliacte at Wolf's Neck we will continue farmer acceptability and supply chain analysis

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Completed supply chain analysis of kelp to dairy farms Completed focus group interviews of organic and conventional dairy farmers in Vermont, Maine and New York. Organic farmers very knowledgeable about algae feed supplements and use them as a health prophylactic and treatment. Conventional farmers not knowledgeable about algae feed supplements. Implemented a national survey of organic dairy farmers to assess their knowledge and use of algae feed supplements- currently being analayzed. Organic farmers use algae feed supplements to control mastitis, reduce fly problems, increase mineral content of milk and provide micronutrients to dairy cows. Need research to validate these observations. Survey data will provide national view of why organic farmers use algae feed supplements. Blood hematological parameters were measured with non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and cortisol being of primary interest. Additionally, phenotypic and health measurements were taken to assess the health (Heart and respiration rate, as well as rectal temperature, and body weight) and production of the animal, respectively. Collected manure from organic dairy cows fed different amounts of seaweed supplements during winter of 2024. Manure will be added to soil collected from UNH Organic Dairy Research Farm in a controlled incubation experiment. Collected manure from organic dairy cows fed different amounts of seaweed supplements during summer of 2024. Added manure to pastures at the UNH Organic Dairy Research Farm and monitoring soil greenhouse gas flux and soil nutrient cycling response in situ. 1. a) Animal trial of feed additive, Miner Institute: August 2023: Seaweed feed additive generated at Bigelow Laboratory b). Data: Feed additive stability tests; Bromoform residuals in milk, related to methane production in 3 cows . d. i) bioactive stability in on-farm setting; ii) information on dosing of bioactive in relation to methane emissions. a) Utilizing Ascophyllum nodosum supplemented 0, 170 and 340 g per day to assess the influence seaweed has on lipolytic characteristics of Jersey cows in a feed restriction setting - 2024 continued Data Collection to determine baseline emissions from a composted windrow manure management strategy. - N2O,CO2, and CH4 fluxes measured using static chamber system from composting manure wind row. - Bi - weekly Nitrogen (N) , Ammonium Nitrogen, Bulk Density ,Total Solids , Manure Carbon, C:N, Sulfur, and PH - 2D Area, 3D Area, Volume of Pile using drone DEMs - Processed Data from 2023 to determine emissions of composting windrow. c) A 3x3 replicated Latin square with 6 Jersey cows was used to achieve proper power. The inclusion of seaweed did not lower NEFA values compared with the control animals, nor were any phenotypic characteristics altered. We are currently working on additional blood parameters. Extension brochures and articles for the popular agriculture press under development. WNC has a robust outreach, education, and demonstration program on-site, we've worked to incorporate key components of the partnership, field trials, and dairy's role in climate adaptation and mitigation into our programs, some examples include: - Lead on-farm tours/presentations: audiences included state and federal employees, agricultural industry professionals and researchers, farm extension service employees and the general public. - Incorporate curriculum around organic dairy management, methane emissions reductions, and the seaweed trials into our educational curriculum for school age children. - Farmer training programs: Dairy grazing apprentices learn all on-farm record-keeping tasks, tools, and technologies, participate in on-farm outreach and learning activities and will be trained to participate in feed trials. A) A study is being currently conducted to assess mineral bioavailability of Chondrus crispus in mid lactating Jersey cows. No data currently available and will be reported in the following report.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Moen, Autumn and Conner, David, "Stakeholder Opinions of Seaweed Supplements for Dairy Cows" (2024). Food Systems Master's Project Reports. 36. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fsmpr/36
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Tynan, M.K., M.C. Bryant, R. Welsh, and S. Greenwood. 2023. Preliminary findings of northeast organic and conventional dairy farmers' perception of benefits and challenges in feeding algae  Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170523000157 .
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Nutritionists Perspectives on the Efficacy of Feeding Algae Feed Supplements to Dairy Cattle. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociological Society in Burlington, VT.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Welsh, R. M.K. Tynan, R. Fitzgerald, S. Greenwood, D. Conner, N. Price, C. Quigley and A. Moen. 2023. Dairy Nutritionists Perspectives on the Efficacy of Feeding Algae Feed Supplements to Dairy Cattle. Presented at the gphers in Denver, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Sims, W., Omoruyi, G., Mulakala, B., Driemel, A., Snider, M., Brito, A., Greenwood, S. 2024. "Fermentation and digestibility characteristics of Ascophyllum nodosum, Alaria esculenta, and an Alaria esculenta and Palmaria palmata blend in a continuous culture system." J. Dairy Sci. 107 (Suppl. 1): 282 (Abstr.) (N)


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Dairy grazing apprenticeship/Trainees Dairy farmers through our regional outreach network Dairy and livestock focused extension providers and organizations General public, including families with children Camp aged kids, middle and elementary school groups Undergraduate students. Policymakers Academics/Research/Advocacy Organizations. Supply chains actors (e.g., Feed suppliers. Algae processors) Changes/Problems:The original PI left and there was a change in PI. The research on cows moved to UNH and will begin soon. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training: Craig Burnell and Brigid Carr: NIST conference particpation: Supporting the Standardization of Seaweed Measurements held on October 24, 2023. WNC Dairy Research Fellow and Dairy grazing apprentices (DGAs) participated in a pasture walk at Mayday Farm in July of 2023 to learn about dairy grazing management, and record-keeping. -WNC Dairy Manager and Research Collaborations Manager attended Stony field's Annual Producer day which includes presentation, networking. Graduate students learned to work with and analyze data of various types including quantitative survey data, qualitative interview data and content analysis of web sites and marketing materials. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?General public: Maine Science Podcast Episode 48: Kevin Posman. https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/post/maine-science-podcast-episode-48 Colby Applied Ecology Class Tour: 1~10 undergraduate students, March 30th. 2023 RISD Landscape Architecture Graduate Group Pasture and Dairy Research Tour: 25 graduate students and faculty, July 29, 2023 Dairy Research Tour for Grazing Extension Service Providers with the New England Grazing Network: 10 grazing extension professionals, May 10th, 2023 Dairy Research Tour US Forest Service Staff Tour: 5 USDA federal employees UNH Agroforestry Group Dairy Research and Pasture Tour: 10 graduate students, May 17th, 2023 WNC Pasture Walk Series for farmers and grazing service providers: 10 farmers and Maine based service providers. July 7th, 2023 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue research on seaweed in organic dairy cattle Continue research on dairy farmer adoption Continue research on supply chain analysis Continue outreach efforts

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: "Engage organic dairy and seaweed industry stakeholders to identify the limitations and benefits of seaweed inclusion in organic dairy diets" Began planning and prep for 2024 feed trials including: -assembling the project team and beginning development of project plan, equipment inventory -Worked with OpenTEAM staff to conduct record-keeping review at the Dairy and ensured all pre-trial data collection is ready to go before 2024 trials (including monthly Dairy One sampling, pasture record-keeping) Surveyed dairy nutritionists about the benefits and risks and general knowledge of seaweed supplements. Reviewed claims of firms marketing seaweed supplements against assessment of the claims from dairy nutritionists using. Interviewed feed suppliers and algae processors to understand supply chain opportunities and obstacles Objective2: "Determine the benefits and drawbacks of organic seaweed feeding supplements at the animal, farm, and ecosystemscales" Participation in NIST inter-laboratory assessment - biochemical composition of seaweeds: proximate analyses and phenolic compounds. 2. Investigation into ensiling approach for Saccharina latissima: natural vs. addition of lactobacillus, pH stability and biochemistry. 3. Investigation of approaches to generate anti-methanogenic bioactives using Saccharina latissima and different sources of organic acids. Contributed to a manuscript highlighting the greenhouse gas impacts of manure applied to soil from cows that received seaweed supplements. This experiment was conducted in vitro. Recruited and hired students to document the benefits and drawbacks of organic seaweed supplement through a series of in vivo experiments that are in the planning stage Objective 5: "Create a broad outreach program that includes demonstration and education opportunities to a variety of audience" Surveyed dairy nutritionists about the benefits and risks and general knowledge of seaweed supplements. Public on-farm demonstration and field days: -Lead 9 on-farm tours/workshops on the farm that included an overview of the dairy research and demonstration farm, and the past and upcoming seaweed feed trials. Tours included undergraduate students, graduate students, farm extension service employees and the general public. -Hosted 1 public workshop with partners in the seaweed industry in our Dig Deeper series, WNC staff presented on the upcoming seaweed trials. Program and Outreach material development: -Summer dairy research communications: Updated our website, developed content highlighting Dairy research activities and partnerships through this project. Farmer training programs: -WNC currently had 3 apprentices in 2023, apprentices learn all on-farm record-keeping tasks, tools, and technologies, participate in on-farm outreach and learning activities and will be trained to participate in feed trials

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Arndt, K.A., Reyes, D.C., Quigley, C., Brito, A.F., Price, N., and Contosta, A.R., submitted. Seaweed supplementation to organic dairy cows may reduce climate impact of manure in pasture soils during a laboratory incubation, Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Tynan, M., Bryant, M., Welsh, R., & Greenwood, S. (2023). Preliminary findings of northeast organic and conventional dairy farmers' perception of benefits and challenges in feeding algae. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 38, E23. doi:10.1017/S1742170523000157
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Tynan, M. WHY FEED SEAWEED? TACIT AND CODIFIED KNOWLEDGE NETWORKS IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. M.S. Thesis. Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Syracuse University.


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:In this first year of the project, much of our public output was focused on sharing news of the award and the goals of the project. As such, notice of the award and the goals were shared to and by several public news media outlets, with the primary target audience being the general public. Media coverage for this OREI project included the following: 1. WCAX segment: https://www.wcax.com/2021/10/06/uvm-study-tests-out-feeding-cows-with-seaweed/ 2. Seven Days' "Daily 7" newsletter:https://mailchi.mp/sevendaysvt/vermont-urges-schools-to-perform-covid-19-testsmontpelier-author-named-national-book-award-finalist?e=6a27ade968 3. Local 22/44:https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/what-can-seaweed-do-for-vermont-dairy-cows-uvm-researchers-will-find-out/ 4. Patch.com:https://patch.com/vermont/burlington-vt/uvm-studies-seaweed-cows-bba-private-security-extension 5. VermontBiz.com: https://vermontbiz.com/news/2021/september/29/feeding-seaweed-cows-boost-organic-dairy-profitability-and-sustainability 6. SwansonReed.com:https://www.swansonreed.com/uvm-to-research-seaweed-for-organic-dairy-cows 7. Vermont Public Radio S. L. Greenwood interview aired on radio morning of 10/18/2021 VPR article: https://www.vermontpublic.org/vpr-news/2021-10-15/news-roundup-scott-administration-says-it-will-extend-motel-emergency-housing-program-again Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project is supporting training and professional development of both undergraduate and graduate students. One MS student at Syracuse University is currently involved in the development and implementation of the focus group and survey work implemented in this project to understand producer perception and use of organic seaweed supplements. A second graduate student is completing his PhD at the University of Vermont, with in vitro and in vivo assessment of target seaweeds on organic dairy production and health as the focus of his PhD. To support these graduate student projects, undergraduate research students have been engaged in sample collection. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?For the next reporting period, in vitro experimentation will conclude, leading to advisory-panel inclusive discussions and decisions to be made regarding best candidates for use in the upcoming in vivo trials. In vitro results will be used as guidance to develop and complete the first planned in vivo experiments for this program, whereby seaweed supplements will be assessed on a certfied organic dairy research farm (Organic Dairy Research Farm (ODRF), University of New Hampshire). Anin vivo animal trial led by co-PIs Brito and Contosta will include 24 lactating Jersey cows assigned to treatments (n=8 per treatment) in a randomized block design. Two weeks of baseline measurements will be completed as a covariate period, and cows will subsequently be assigned to one of 3 treatments (control, seaweed product 1, or seaweed product 2) for a 10-week experimental period. In situ experiments examining how seaweed feed supplements affect the soil-crop agroecosystem will also be accomplished by establishing experimental plots in pastures at the ODRF, treating these plots with excreta from cows receiving seaweed supplements, and then evaluating the fate of N in the excreta. Supply chain analysis will also commence, whereCo-PI Conner (with co-PIs Welsh, and Price) will conduct ~20 interviews of feed suppliers, seaweed producers and processors, and others in the feed supply chain, developed in part by snowball sampling (asking early-adopter organic farmers and interviewees for names of suppliers) and guidance from consultant R Kersbergen. Interview questions will focus on perceived organic farmer acceptability; current procurement strategies; ease of certifying seaweed farms and processing facilities and incorporating seaweed into existing organic supply chains; willingness to form partnerships in the supply chain; and impacts of organic seaweed incorporation on feed supplier revenues (prices received and volumes sold), costs (how will organic seaweed's costs compare with other feed inputs it will be replacing), and profitability.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In the first year of the project, we have worked toward addressing goals 1 and 2 of the program: 1. To engage organic dairy and seaweed industry stakeholders, Co-PI R. Welsh held focus groups and individual interview sessions during the winter of 2021. Led by co-PI Welsh, researchers held two focus groups in New York State and Maine with 17 organic dairy farmers and interviewed two Vermont organic dairy farmers via Zoom to discern their knowledge and use of algae-based feed supplements to obtain beneficial outcomes in herd health and productivity. Most interviewed farmers either use or had used such supplements to treat acute health issues in their cows or as probiotics or prophylactics. They believe the supplements are effective for improving herd health based primarily on their observations. Based on these results, the research team focused on identifying and assessing seaweed use in dairy diets has ensured focus on species that will address specific herd health issues identified by the stakeholders as requiring more attention. 2. To determine the benefits and drawbacks of organic seaweed as a dietary supplement for use on organic dairy systems, we are currently completing in vitro characterizations and assessments of several candidate seaweed species. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is currently completing batch culture in vitro assessment of processed S. Latissima for use in certified organic systems. This seaweed species is a scalable and sustainable option for the US Northeast organic seaweed producers. Additional seaweed species and processing options for organic certified operations are being discussed with local stakeholders involved in the commercial organic seaweed market. Additionally, continuous culture fermenters are being used at the University of Vermont to assess combinations of certified organic Palmaria palmata and Alaria esculenta as potential seaweeds used asindependent supplements or mixtures for use in certified organic dairy cow diets.

Publications