Astridge Farm

William and Katy Fox milk 350 autumn block calving British Friesians supplying First Milk through its regenerative farming programme; they are consequently keen on producing milk that is as environmentally friendly as possible.

The farm will work with EkoGea, a company that has developed a seaweed extract Biocomplex product from naturally occurring and sustainably sourced seaweed. The unique biological extraction process preserves two vital components of seaweed cells:

• Oligosaccharides which offer a food substrate for microbes
• Polyuronic acids which provide for increased ion exchange capacity 

The effect of adding the BioComplex PLUS extract to the cows’ rumen is that it serves to chemically buffer toxins, promote greater microbial diversity and gaseous ammonia is converted into its crystalline form of ammonium.

Ammonia in its gaseous form has been shown to be damaging to human and animal health, as well as to the environment, and has become a growing concern to governing bodies such as DEFRA and NRW. It is estimated that 93% of ammonia emissions in Wales originate from agriculture.

The project aims to evaluate whether the feeding of the EkoGea Biocomplex PLUS contained in the feed concentrate pellet will result in improved feed efficiency, promote better animal health status and reduce harmful ammonia levels.

The project will also contribute to the Sustainable Land Management outcomes including:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• High animal health and welfare