Can SeaGraze® Help Ruminants Beat the Heat?

As global temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent, livestock producers face growing challenges to animal health and productivity. Heat stress in cattle, sheep, and goats can lead to reduced feed intake, slower weight gain, lower fertility, and compromised immunity. While SeaGraze® is widely recognized for its methane-reducing properties, research into its broader bioactive profile suggests it may also offer natural support against heat stress in ruminant animals.

At Symbrosia, we’ve developed SeaGraze®, a proprietary feed additive derived from red seaweed, formulated to reduce methane emissions. But the unique compounds found in SeaGraze®—including zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, iodine, and sulfated polysaccharides—also point to potential roles in mitigating heat stress, boosting antioxidant defense, and supporting metabolic resilience.

🔥 Heat Stress in Ruminants: The Hidden Costs

When ambient temperatures and humidity surpass an animal’s ability to regulate body heat—often measured as a temperature-humidity index (THI) >72—ruminants begin to experience heat stress, leading to:

• Reduced dry matter intake (DMI)

• Increased respiration and heart rates

• Decreased rumen fermentation and nutrient absorption

• Elevated oxidative stress and inflammation

• Reduced growth, reproduction, and milk production

These physiological impacts translate to measurable losses in animal performance and producer profitability [1, 2].

🌿 The Heat-Stress Support Potential of SeaGraze®

While the primary benefit of SeaGraze® is methane reduction, its dense concentration of bioactive compounds offers added resilience to animals facing environmental stress.

1. Antioxidant-Rich Composition

SeaGraze® contains several key antioxidants that play a vital role in reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS)—unstable molecules that accumulate during heat stress and cause cellular damage:

• Zeaxanthin – a carotenoid known to enhance antioxidant activity and protect against oxidative damage [8].

• Beta-carotene – a precursor to vitamin A that enhances immune function and antioxidant defenses [9].

• Phenolic compounds and sulfated polysaccharides – shown in marine algae to scavenge free radicals and reduce inflammation [4, 5].

• Iodine and selenium (trace minerals) – critical for thyroid regulation, immune modulation, and antioxidant enzyme function under stress [11].

These compounds work synergistically to protect tissues, support immune function, and maintain cellular integrity during high-heat events.

2. Microbiome and Rumen Stabilization

One of the less visible but highly consequential impacts of heat stress is the disruption of rumen microbial populations and the decline in fermentation efficiency. High temperatures reduce saliva production and shift blood flow away from the digestive tract, leading to altered rumen pH, increased endotoxin load, and reduced volatile fatty acid (VFA) production [10].

SeaGraze®, while primarily studied for its antimethanogenic activity, also modulates the rumen microbial community in ways that appear to support greater fermentation efficiency. Kinley et al. demonstrated that SeaGraze® significantly alters the population of methanogenic archaea and may also influence other key microbial groups involved in fiber digestion [3].

These microbial shifts may help stabilize rumen fermentation during high-THI events, supporting more consistent intake, buffering capacity, and energy harvest from feed. Additionally, the sulfated polysaccharides in SeaGraze® are believed to exhibit prebiotic effects that promote beneficial microbial populations [6].

The result? A rumen that functions more like it's in spring—even when it feels like summer.

3. Energy Reallocation: A Hidden Advantage During Heat

Ruminants typically lose 6–10% of their gross dietary energy as methane [7]. SeaGraze® reduces this loss by 60–90%, allowing animals to retain more energy from the same diet—especially critical when they’re eating less due to heat stress.

This increase in net energy efficiency is a hidden advantage during hot months. By redirecting energy away from methane production, SeaGraze® enables more of the feed’s energy to support productive functions like growth, lactation, and thermoregulation. Even in scenarios where dry matter intake is suppressed, this boost in efficiency may help maintain average daily gain (ADG) or milk yield [3, 12].

In short: SeaGraze® helps cattle do more with less—a game-changing advantage when every calorie counts.

Takeaway

SeaGraze® isn’t just a climate solution—it’s a performance ally. With natural compounds like zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and sulfated polysaccharides, SeaGraze® supports antioxidant defenses, digestive stability, and energy utilization during heat stress. These attributes may help producers maintain productivity and animal health through even the hottest months of the year.

SeaGraze® continues to prove that nature-based solutions can meet the moment—cutting emissions while supporting animal resilience in a warming world.

📬 Want to learn how SeaGraze® can support your operation this summer? Reach out to our team to start a conversation at sales@symbrosia.co

📚 References

1. West, J. W. (2003). Effects of heat stress on production in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 86(6), 2131–2144.

2. Gaughan, J. B., et al. (2008). Measuring heat tolerance in beef cattle. Animal Production Science, 48(7), 632–640.

3. Kinley, R. D., et al. (2020). Mitigating the carbon footprint and improving productivity of ruminant livestock using a red seaweed. Journal of Cleaner Production, 259, 120836.

4. Li, Y. X., et al. (2008). Antioxidant activity of sulfated polysaccharide fractions extracted from Laminaria japonica. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 42(2), 127–132.

5. Chandini, S. K., et al. (2008). Seaweeds as a source of nutritionally beneficial compounds—a review. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 45(1), 1–13.

6. Holdt, S. L., & Kraan, S. (2011). Bioactive compounds in seaweed: functional food applications and legislation. Journal of Applied Phycology, 23, 543–597.

7. Johnson, K. A., & Johnson, D. E. (1995). Methane emissions from cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 73(8), 2483–2492.

8. Peng, J., et al. (2011). Biological activities of zeaxanthin. Marine Drugs, 9(4), 763–789.

9. Sordillo, L. M., & Aitken, S. L. (2009). Impact of oxidative stress on the health and immune function of dairy cattle. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 128(1–3), 104–109.

10. Tajima, K., et al. (2007). Effects of high temperature and humidity on rumen fermentation and bacterial flora in Holstein heifers. Animal Science Journal, 78(2), 193–199.

11. Weiss, W. P. (2005). Selenium nutrition of dairy cows: comparing responses to organic and inorganic selenium forms. Journal of Dairy Science, 88(10), 3925–3935.

12. Roque, B. M., et al. (2021). Red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) supplementation reduces enteric methane by over 80 percent in beef steers. PLOS ONE, 16(3), e0247820.