Agricultural methane emissions, particularly those emanating from ruminant enteric fermentation, present one of the most pressing environmental challenges of modern times. Approximately 60% of the planet’s ice-free landmass is utilised for the livestock sector and accounts for approximately 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The production of methane by ruminants is a natural by-product of the fermentation processes carried out by the ruminal microbial population, however, methanogenic archaea are the dominant methane producers. Currently, methane mitigation strategies such as selective animal breeding and genetics, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated rumen microbiome engineering, and anti-methanogen vaccines are being developed as a long-term solution, but these strategies will require a long time to achieve a successful required result. Along with these different feed additives like organic acids, lipids, ionophores, tannins, essential oils, seaweeds, and 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) are being used as a short-term solution to mitigate methane emissions. But they also have effects on animal health and welfare (tannin toxicity, iodine accumulation, and carcinogenic halogenated chemicals), increasing the cost of production and uncertainty about their long-term use. Future research is required to find an advanced methane-red ucing formulation/solution that addresses existing knowledge gaps, ensures long-term efficacy, and simultaneously enhances ruminant production efficiency to meet global food demands within sustainable livestock systems.
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Zeeshan et al. (2026) studied this question.