Summary
This review surveys proved and potential strategies for reducing enteric methane from ruminants without compromising animal productivity. The authors assess biotechnological approaches (vaccination, bacteriocins, probiotics), feed additives (ionophores, organic acids, plant extracts including tannins and saponins), and nutritional strategies based on forage and concentrate composition and lipid supplementation. The review concludes that nutritional strategies are the most developed and ready for field implementation, while other approaches show mixed or inconclusive results, with particular challenges in achieving durable modulation of rumen microbial ecosystems and limited on-farm defaunation techniques.
Regional applicability
Findings are applicable to United Kingdom ruminant farming systems, particularly for dairy and beef enterprises seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with climate and environmental targets. Nutritional mitigation strategies identified are immediately implementable in UK feed formulation practices, whilst plant extract research aligns with UK consumer preference for natural alternatives to synthetic additives.
Key measures
Enteric methane emissions reduction; feed conversion efficiency; rumen microbial ecosystem modulation; animal performance; digestive process efficiency
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews and evaluates multiple strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants whilst maintaining animal production, including biotechnologies, feed additives, plant extracts, and nutritional interventions. It assesses the efficacy, feasibility, and farm-scale applicability of these approaches from mechanistic understanding to practical implementation.
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