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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

The Use of an Automated System (GreenFeed) to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals

The Use of an Automated System (GreenFeed) to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals

Published on: September 7, 2015

Enteric methane production from beef cattle that vary in feed efficiency.

H C Freetly¹, T M Brown-Brandl

¹USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933.

Journal of Animal Science

|August 23, 2013

Summary

Methane production in cattle did not decrease with improved feed efficiency as hypothesized. Instead, increased feed efficiency in heifers was associated with higher methane emissions, challenging previous assumptions.

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Area of Science:

Animal Science
Agricultural Science
Environmental Science

Background:

Feed efficiency is a key trait in cattle production, influencing profitability and environmental impact.
Methane (CH4) production from enteric fermentation is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in cattle.
Understanding the relationship between feed efficiency and CH4 production is crucial for developing mitigation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the hypothesis that increased feed efficiency in cattle leads to decreased methane production.
To quantify the relationship between feed efficiency metrics (BW gain:DMI ratio and RFI) and CH4 production in steers and heifers.

Main Methods:

Two experiments were conducted with crossbred steers (n=113) and heifers (n=197), selected based on feed efficiency.
Methane production was measured using respiration calorimeters, with intake data collected for 24 hours prior.
Multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the impact of BW gain:DMI ratio and residual feed intake (RFI) on CH4 production, adjusting for DMI.

Main Results:

In steers, feed efficiency metrics explained very little variance in CH4 production (R² = 0.009 for BW gain:DMI, R² = 0.001 for RFI).
In heifers, the BW gain:DMI ratio accounted for 28% of the variance in CH4 production, while previous 24-h DMI accounted for 72% (R² = 0.31).
Contrary to the hypothesis, CH4 production increased as the BW gain:DMI ratio increased in heifers.

Conclusions:

The study does not support the hypothesis that methane production decreases with increased feed efficiency.
Findings suggest that methane production may increase with improved feed efficiency, particularly in heifers.
Further research is needed to elucidate the complex relationship between feed efficiency and enteric methane emissions in different cattle types and diets.