Citation: Kioumarsi, H., Davani, S. M., & Ahmadnia, H. (2025). Methane Reduction and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Dairy Industry. Research Communities by Springer Nature. https://communities.springernature.com/manage/posts/297520
Introduction
The dairy sector plays a vital role in global food security and nutrition, as it is one of the main agricultural sectors that helps feed the world, but it faces increasingly high expectations with regard to its contribution to Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane, a very potent climate-forcing gas. In the last few decades, the global dairy industry has undergone significant technological, genetic, and management changes in an effort to enhance efficiency and environmental sustainability. However, mitigating methane emission remains a focal challenge.
The Scale and Sources
Methane (CH₄) represents the greatest percentage of GHG emissions related to milk production, with a high percentage of the global warming impact. Sources of dairy emissions come from several areas including: Enteric fermentation in ruminant digestion represents the greatest single source of methane; manure management contributes to both methane and nitrous oxide emissions, feed production and transport, and energy use in milking, cooling, and processing. Of these, enteric methane—produced by gut microbes during digestion—is the single largest source of emissions in dairy farming. Manure handling and storage are also significant sources of methane.
Emission Reduction
Over the last five decades, there have been significant decreases in the emissions intensity of dairy farming in many parts of the world. But it should be mentioned that regional variations remain associated with differences in farming system, feed resources, and economic constraints. In developing countries, there is a need to focus on a more educated and skilled workforce, modernized equipment, and environmentally sustainable food production systems for livestock. Additionally, in manure management, the role of equipment, skilled workers, and education is both evident and essential.
Diet
Dietary reformulation is a very effective way for methane mitigation. It has been shown in many studies that the addition of more grain and the reduction of low-quality fiber content decreases enteric methane output. High-quality grain-based diets promote the production of rumen propionate and reduce rumen pH; this suppresses methane-forming archaea. These types of diets may be more expensive and could also lead to increased nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer production, which are trade-offs that would need to be managed. It should be also mentioned that grain supplementation reduces enteric methane but can have lateral and/or upstream emissions.
Genetic
Another promising approach is through cattle selection and breeding for low emissions of methane per unit of milk. There are genetic markers associated with feed efficiency and lower methane emissions, and efforts continue to introduce those traits into world herds. However, implementation remains slow, limited by genetic complexity and market incentives.
Additives and New Technologies
Various feed additives, like fat supplements, ionophores, tannins, seaweed extracts-most notably Asparagopsis taxiformis-and direct-fed microbials, have shown great promise in inhibiting methane production in the rumen. Normally, these are effective in experimental settings, but their adoption has been limited by cost, regulatory approval, and uncertainty about long-term effects on animal health and product quality. Research into vaccines targeting some bacteria in the rumen also continues, but commercial availability is still several years off.
Manure Management
Anaerobic digestion—where manure is processed to capture methane for energy—can reduce on-farm emissions, generate renewable electricity, and cut fossil fuel dependence. However, its efficacy is heavily influenced by farm scale, local climate, and investment in infrastructure. Improvements in manure handling and application methods likewise contribute to lower emissions.
Obstacles
Despite the progress made, the dairy industry still has many significant methane-reduction barriers:
High cost of mitigation technologies and feed additives without clear economic returns.
Inadequate market stimuli and policy support for the reduction of emissions.
Technical complexity and lack of accessible, farm-scale solutions.
Worries about unintended effects on milk yield, health, and product quality.
Net-Zero Emissions
A recent comprehensive review estimates that reaching net-zero dairy emissions will require high reduction in enteric methane. While the sector has made remarkable strides, complete elimination of methane is not technically or economically feasible. In general, methane reduction strategies create benefits in terms of improved nutrient use, soil health, farm profitability, and resilience to climate shocks. Indeed, the lessons of the last five decades suggest that economic efficiency, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship can improve the current situation. Additionally, it has been demonstrated in various studies of diverse production landscapes that well-managed dairies, irrespective of size or system, can successfully implement sustainable practices.
Conclusion
Methane reduction and GHG mitigation in dairy represent dynamic and multi-faceted challenges. Effective strategies will be broad from dietary reformulation and genetic selection to advanced manure management, feed additives, energy innovation, robust policy frameworks, economic incentives, and industry-wide collaboration. The path to net-zero will be long and challenging, but the progress made so far demonstrates that meaningful reductions are achievable through the alignment of farm economics with planetary health.
References
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