July 20, 2021

Dear Cattle Ranchers of America,

I write to every diligent and hardworking cattle rancher of America today to propose a
compromise for our ever-changing environment. It has come to my attention of the
astronomical effect methane production by ruminant animals, such as your prized cattle, has on
our beloved environment, and how much more potent it is when compared to other well-known
emissions (carbon dioxide, for example). I fully see where the struggle you all constantly face
comes from, given the fact that America’s population is exponentially increases, thus, more
cow-derived products are needed. However, researchers across the world have taken this
problem into a different light, one that could actually decrease the overall methane produced in
your own fields.

The main solution these researchers found was comprising a small portion of the cattle’s every
day diet out of seaweed. Most research has found that only 1% of the cattle’s diets needs to be
altered to see hopeful results, which is approximately 30 grams of seaweed per day.
Furthermore, an article created by F.D. Evans about the effects seaweed has on ruminant
animals revealed that Tasco, a seaweed product meal, actually increased the cattle’s immune
systems, as well as their meat and milk production and quality. In other studies, such as Ermias
Kebreab’s study at the UC Davis Department of Animal Science, it was found that there was
no notable difference in the taste or texture of the meat and milk.

With more seaweed production needed now more than ever before, prices on the seaweed will
increase without a doubt. Because the United States Department of Agriculture recognizes this
as an issue for many cattle ranchers, we have crafted a temporary solution. The USDA will
cover 75% of all costs that go directly to seaweed for cattle consumption. In other words, if a
farmer buys 100 pounds of raw seaweed, we will be able to write of the cost of 75 pounds of
that seaweed when annual taxes are due, meaning you will get a large portion of your hard-
earned money back.

This compromise is a hand crafted promise that the USDA has diligently created to best
accommodate these changing and challenging times. At the end of the day, we want nothing
more then a better environment for our future generations.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Vilsack
United States Secretary of Agriculture
 Works Cited

Evans, F D, and Critchley, A T. “Seaweeds for Animal Production Use.” Journal of Applied

Phycology, vol. 26, no. 2, Springer Netherlands, 2014, pp. 891–99,

doi:10.1007/s10811-013-0162-9.

Nelson, Diane. “Research Led by Ermias Kebreab Asks If Seaweed Can Cut Methane Emissions

on Dairy Farms.” UC Davis Department of Animal Science, 5 Dec. 2020,

animalscience.ucdavis.edu/news/research-led-ermias-kebreab-tests-if-seaweed-cuts-

methane-emissions-dairy-farms.