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Updated: May 23, 2026
11:02
The Use of an Automated System (GreenFeed) to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals
Published on: September 7, 2015
Methane mitigation in ruminants: from microbe to the farm scale.
C Martin1, D P Morgavi, M Doreau
1INRA, UR 1213, Herbivores Research Unit, Research Centre of Clermont-Ferrand-Theix, F-63122 St Genès Champanelle, France.
Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience
|March 27, 2012
Summary
Reducing enteric methane (CH4) from livestock is key for global greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and feed efficiency. Nutritional strategies show the most promise for mitigating CH4 emissions in ruminants.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Animal Science
Background:
- Enteric methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Reducing CH4 is crucial for environmental sustainability and improving feed conversion efficiency in livestock production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and update strategies for mitigating enteric CH4 production in ruminants.
- To assess the efficacy and applicability of various biotechnological, feed additive, and nutritional approaches.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of biotechnologies like vaccination, bacteriocins, probiotics, and protozoa elimination.
- Assay of feed additives including ionophores, organic acids, and plant extracts (tannins, saponins).
- Evaluation of nutritional strategies focusing on diet composition, lipid supplementation, and animal selection.
Main Results:
- Biotechnologies show mixed results, with challenges in durable rumen modulation and in vivo confirmation.
- Plant extracts offer a natural alternative but require further research on effectiveness and residues.
- Nutritional strategies are the most developed and field-ready, with diet manipulation and lipid supplementation showing potential.
Conclusions:
- No single strategy is universally effective; a combination may be needed.
- Sustainability and impact on livestock performance must be evaluated for each CH4 mitigation approach.
- Further research is essential to optimize strategies and ensure their practical application in livestock production systems.
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