Strategies to reduce greenhouse gases from ruminant livestock

Abstract

Globally, methane emissions account for 40–45% of greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant livestock, with over 90% of these emissions arising from enteric fermentation. Consequently, enteric CH₄ emissions are by far the single most important emission source that can be targeted for mitigation within the ruminant production cycle. This review aims to update nutritional and management abatement strategies for enteric methane emissions. Each ruminant production system is unique, and therefore a holistic, life cycle assessment should be considered when determining the potential value of any abatement strategy. It is important to bear in mind that any abatement strategy will only be adopted if it passes regulatory requirements and if there is an economic incentive for its implementation.

Keywords:

• Climate change
• diet
• methane
• nutrition
• ruminant
• mitigation