Feed management strategies to reduce emissions from beef cattle

Feed management plays a crucial role in beef production, influencing both economic performance and environmental impact.

Optimising forage quality, digestibility and ration composition can enhance cattle productivity and profitability while reducing methane production.

An important feed characteristic that drives enteric methane production is digestibility (D-value). The higher the D-value, the better the cattle performance and the lower the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Nutrition influences feed-use efficiency because feed efficiency in beef cattle is linked to the microbial population in the rumen.

The rumen microorganisms that produce methane need energy – the more methane that is produced, the less efficient animals are. In contrast, more efficient animals use less energy and, therefore, emit less methane.

Rations associated with lower methane production tend to be those with higher levels of concentrates and/or high D-value feeds, and those containing up to 6% oil.

As forage accounts for the majority of the dry matter consumed by beef cattle, it is important to ensure the quality is optimal.

To plan an efficient ration that meets animals’ nutritional requirements you need to know the nutritional value and quality of the feed ingredients.

If rations don’t meet nutritional demands, productivity and performance will be compromised,  this can increase emissions and reduce your business resilience and profitability.

It is also possible to use estimated breeding values (EBVs) to select for feed conversion ratio (FCR), doing so can result in greater genetic merit for growth. Select bulls and cows with EBVs that will improve overall herd efficiency.

To effectively reduce emissions and improve feed efficiency, consider the following:

• Develop a whole-farm feed plan to improve feed efficiency
• Work with a nutritionist or feed adviser to formulate diets that meet specific nutritional needs for breeding, growing, and finishing cattle
• Analyse forage quality to assess digestibility and nutrient value — use services from members of the Forage Analytical Assurance Group (FAA)
• Monitor cattle performance to assess the effectiveness of ration changes and adjust feeding strategies accordingly
• Calculate feed efficiency to track and improve how efficiently cattle convert feed into weight gain
• Take blood samples from a representative group of animals to identify and correct any nutritional deficiencies early
• Review supplementation and only supplement where forage availability or quality is insufficient
• Increase the use of home-grown feeds to reduce emissions related to transport and production of imported feeds
• Use the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL) for England and Wales to select high D-value forage varieties that support improved performance and lower emissions
• Incorporate clover into perennial ryegrass or multi-species swards to reduce reliance on chemical nitrogen fertilisers, lowering both costs and nitrous oxide emissions
• Capitalize on clover’s superior D-value and lower fibre content, which can promote higher dry matter intake and reduce methane output
• Manage pasture quality proactively. As grass matures, its fibre content increases, reducing digestibility. Offer young, leafy grass for optimal cattle performance
• Cut grass early to preserve forage quality and maximise D-value, energy, and protein levels
• Implement good grazing management and include high D-value forages to improve daily liveweight gain (DLWG), shorten days to slaughter, and reduce methane emissions over the animal’s lifetime