Evaluation of Gas Emissions from Cattle on Different Diet Adaptation Strategies Using Either Forage or RAMP

Authors

Cindy D. Mansfield, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Rebecca McDermott, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Braden C. Troyer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Mitchell M. Norman, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Maggie Youngers, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Andrea K. Watson, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Rick Stock, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

A 173-day finishing experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) during diet adaptation compared to a traditional forage adaptation program on methane and carbon dioxide emissions, animal performance and carcass traits in beef steers. Cattle were monitored using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of grain adaptation and at two subsequent times while fed a common finishing diet. Feeding RAMP reduced methane by 12% during the initial diet (step 1) compared to a traditional diet that contained 43% forage. When cattle were fed the same finishing diet, there was a 9% reduction in methane due to carryover effects from feeding RAMP during grain adaptation. Cattle fed RAMP tended to increase hot carcass weight by 13 pounds. These data suggest feeding RAMP during grain adaptation instead of forage could be a strategy to reduce methane emissions. The performance benefits from RAMP would further decrease methane production per pound of gain.