Böd Ayre Products in Shetland was started by Michael and Margaret Blance – they had converted their farm to organic, and required an organic fertiliser.
Seaweed was traditionally gathered after gales, and put onto the ‘midden’, along with muck and any other waste to allow torot over the winter. In spring this excellent mix was spread onto the land.
After research, Böd Ayre worked closely with the Scottish Natural Heritage, resulting in a sustainable management plan for harvesting the seaweed. The freshly hand cut seaweed is taken to the factory, where it it quality checked before process.
Initially, Böd Ayre Products began producing the dried seaweed granules and meal, along with seaweed extract, to be used and sold as fertiliser. This evolved into the same products also being produced and sold as animal feed supplements. Böd Ayre Products also include in its line seaweed feed lick buckets, which contains the seaweed meal plus other products.
Organic Certification has been gained under the Scottish Organic Producers Association. Certification is also held for the products under the Quality Meat Scotland Assurance Scheme – Feed Standards.
Seaweed is packed full of the nutrients everything in life needs, be it the land, animals or ourselves. With over 60 trace elements, bio stimulants and amino acids, it is perfect for providing overall health and wellbeing. Even if the amount of trace elements is small, it is the combination of all the trace elements in one package that makes seaweed so special.
Some of the Benefits include:
Reduced incidences of mastitis in cows Reduced intestinal parasites in pigs Improved growth rate in lambs Increase in sheep wool production Gives higher iodine levels in eggs and milk Gives brighter coloured egg yolks Gives healthy hooves, coats and over all health and well being
Improved growth in plants, crops and grass Stronger, healthier roots Higher yields and less disease Possible resistance to potato blight Helps towards resistance to club root Seaweed powder helps to keep carrot fly at bay Green plants and lawns Stronger growth and more colourful flowers.
