Reducing Methane in Dairy and Beef Cattle Operations: What is Feasible?

About 3 to 12% of the energy consumed by ruminants (cattle and sheep) is converted to methane in the rumen (referred to as enteric methane) and released into the atmosphere. Adopting feeding strategies that will minimize the amount of energy, lost as methane, can improve feed conversion efficiency, improve animal productivity, and is good for the environment. Producers can reduce their herd’s methane production between 5 - 25% by making changes in their management practices and diet but these changes in management and diet add to the cost of producing meat and milk. Farmers will not likely adopt these measures unless there are economic benefits