Evaluation of Enteric Methane from Cattle Adapted to the Same Finishing Diet Using RAMP Versus Forage

Authors

• Jack T. Fort, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Isaque F. Vicci, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Josh R. Benton, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Rebecca L. McDermott, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Jim C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Maggie E. Youngers, Cargill Corn Milling
• Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2026

Citation

2026 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, pages 78-80, MP-121, University of Nebraska Extension, 2026

Comments

Copyright 2026, Board of Regents, University of Nebraska. Used by permission

Abstract

Summary with Implications

A 139-day finishing experiment evaluating the effects of feeding RAMP (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair NE) during diet adaptation compared to a traditional forage program on methane and carbon dioxide emissions was done to corroborate a previous study (2025 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 55-58). Cattle were measured using a calorimetry emission barn to quantify the production of methane and carbon dioxide during step 1 of adaptation and 1 time during a common finishing diet. Feeding RAMP had no statistical reduction in methane or carbon dioxide production during step 1. When cattle were fed the same finishing diet, there was a 7% reduction in methane due to possible carry over effects from feeding RAMP. These data suggest there was a likely reduction in methane during finishing by feeding RAMP during adaptation compared to using a conventional program, which corroborates previous work, but a significant decrease in methane was not observed during step 1.