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Updated: May 25, 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
23.2K
Review: Sustainable ruminant production: circular systems, nutrition, and methane mitigation
E Kebreab1, E M Pressman1, P Meo-Filho1
1Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience
|February 17, 2026
Summary
Rethinking ruminant livestock production within a circular bioeconomy can reduce environmental impact. Integrating nutrient recycling, byproduct valorization, and advanced technologies offers a path to climate mitigation and resilient food systems.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Bioeconomy
Background:
- Ruminant livestock are vital for food security and economies but contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and land-use change.
- Reconciling these competing pressures necessitates a shift towards circular bioeconomy principles in livestock production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore opportunities for embedding circularity in ruminant systems.
- To evaluate recent advances in sustainable livestock management and biotechnology.
- To assess the potential for reducing environmental impact while enhancing productivity.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on circular bioeconomy principles in ruminant systems.
- Evaluation of precision nutrition, anti-methanogenic feed additives, and biotechnologies (e.g., CRISPR).
- Analysis of life cycle assessment and mechanistic modeling for environmental impact assessment.
Main Results:
- Interventions like precision nutrition and feed additives show promise in reducing methane emissions and improving feed efficiency.
- Biotechnologies offer further potential for emission reduction and efficiency gains.
- Methodological challenges in environmental impact assessment persist, particularly concerning emissions allocation and soil carbon sequestration.
Conclusions:
- Circular bioeconomy principles, when applied to ruminant systems, can mitigate climate change and enhance resource efficiency.
- Policy frameworks, financial innovations, and inclusive approaches are crucial for large-scale adoption, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Aligning nutrition, management, biotechnology, and modeling can transform ruminant production into a cornerstone of resilient and sustainable food systems.
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