Sea Forest's climate-friendly lick block wins gold in national award

A LIVESTOCK lick block product created by a Tasmanian company has won a prestigious national award. 

The Clean Grow lick block is from Sea Forest at Triabunna and has received a Gold Winner Accolade in the 2024 Good Design Awards. 

The world-first product – co-designed by Sea Forest and NSW-based Olsson’s Blocks – is enhanced with methane-reducing Asparagopsis seaweed. 

It means even the most remote cattle station can now make a positive contribution to the climate while delivering a nutritional benefit to their animals. 

The vast majority of Australia’s 27.8 million beef cattle spend most of their lives grazing in often-far flung paddocks, where it’s not possible to hand-feed daily supplements. The Clean Grow product is being produced in addition to Sea Forest’s pellet and waterbased supplements. 

The jury of 80 industry leaders praised Clean Grow saying: “This product exemplifies how agricultural practices can evolve through smart design and scientific integration to contribute to environmental goals. 

“The incorporation of Asparagopsis seaweed represents a practical solution to a significant industry challenge. 

“It has the potential to have a profound positive impact on our challenge to reduce methane emissions as we transition to a more sustainable future.” 

Sea Forest CEO Sam Elsom said Clean Grow was a positive contribution to helping the Australian red meat industry proactively address emissions and achieve its carbon neutral target. 

“By simply placing Clean Grow lick blocks in the paddock, farmers will be by reducing methane emissions,” he said. “It’s a win-win-win for livestock, the farmer, and the planet.” 

Mr Elsom said they were lucky to have developed the Clean Grow lick block in partnership with Olsson’s Blocks, because it means they have an established route to market and distribution. 

“We’re currently working with early adopters across the country ahead of the official product launch,” he said. 

The Good Design Awards are the benchmark of design excellence in Australia and this year’s theme “The Design Effect” has highlighted the role design plays in shaping better products while driving the transition to a more sustainable, less carbon-intensive future. 

With its roots dating back almost seven decades, the 2024 Good Design Awards highlighted excellence across 12 disciplines, covering more than 32 categories.