A new study has found that a feed additive can significantly reduce methane emissions from cattle while improving feed efficiency.
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South American red meat giant Minerva Foods and Western Australian-founded climate technology company Rumin8 recently announced the findings, after a 120-day trial conducted in partnership with the University of Soa Paulo's Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP).
The study evaluated the additive's impact on methane emissions and productivity in Nellore cattle under conditions designed to reflect commercial Brazilian feedlot operations.
Cattle receiving the additive as part of a total mixed ration (TMR) produced 50.4 per cent less methane and achieved a statistically significant 5pc improvement in feed conversion efficiency compared to those on the same diet without the additive.
Rumin8 chief executive officer, David Messina, said the collaboration was an important step toward scaling methane-reducing technologies in one of the world's largest cattle markets.
"We were pleased to partner with Minerva and ESALQ/USP to assess Rumin8's ability to mitigate methane and its impact on animal performance in an environment that simulates a commercial Brazilian feedlot setting," Mr Messina said.
"Minerva and Rumin8 are both committed to reducing methane emissions from the agriculture and food sector, and it was excellent to have this work validated by one of Brazil's most respected academic institutions.
"The results of this study were significant and will form part of our data package as we move toward commercialisation in Brazil, home to the world's largest commercial cattle herd."
The study also found methane intensity per kilogram of liveweight gain dropped from 77.2 g/kg to 39.6 g/kg when compared to cattle fed only a TMR with those receiving the additive.
Overall, the trial delivered an estimated reduction of 29.8 tonnes of CO-equivalent emissions, alongside improved productivity and reduced feed consumption.
Independent verification is currently underway by agricultural carbon certification specialists, including Athian and FoodChain ID.
"This study highlights the potential of innovation and collaboration between industry, science and technology to address one of the most pressing challenges on the livestock sector's climate agenda," a Minerva Foods spokesperson said.
"Reducing methane emissions is a strategic priority for advancing more sustainable cattle production, and initiatives like this help accelerate solutions that combine productivity and environmental responsibility."
The experiment included two groups of Nellore bulls.
One group of 80 animals was housed in individual pens to enable precise measurement of feed intake and methane emissions, split between a control group and a group receiving the additive.
A second group of 200 bulls was managed in collective pens and fed the additive to replicate commercial-scale conditions.
Throughout the trial, cattle were fed a standard Brazilian feedlot finishing diet made up of 12pc roughage and 88pc concentrate, primarily ground corn.
Feed intake was tracked daily, and performance was measured through regular liveweight assessments.
Researchers involved in the study said the results position the additive among the most promising methane mitigation strategies evaluated by the institution, with potential to reduce the environmental footprint of beef production while improving efficiency.
