Enteric methane (CH₄) is a by-product from the fermentation of feed in the digestive tract of cattle. The production of CH₄ is responsible for the loss of 2% to 12% of the animal’s gross energy intake. A potent greenhouse gas, CH₄ from ruminant systems accounts for 30% of international anthropogenic CH₄ emissions. As a result, a significant effort has been made internationally to reduce CH₄ emissions from ruminants in order to achieve reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. The supplementation of additives in the feed has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy in reducing CH₄ emitted from livestock. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of supplementing young growing cattle with the CH₄ inhibitor, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), consuming a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet. A total of 68 Dairy × Beef (Aberdeen Angus and Hereford dairy cross) male calves (≤6 mo of age at the start of the experiment) were assigned to one of two treatments: control (no 3-NOP) and 3-NOP. Animals received their diets for 12 wk. Animal performance was recorded weekly, with CH₄ and hydrogen (H₂) emissions recorded daily. Dry matter intake and animal performance were not affected by the inclusion of 3-NOP. Over the duration of this study, the inclusion of 3-NOP decreased daily CH₄ emissions by 30.6%, with a 227% increase in daily H₂ emissions.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.