Rumin8, an Australian climate-tech and livestock biotechnology company, and Minerva Foods, one of Brazil’s largest beef producers and exporters, have reported a 50.4% reduction in enteric methane emissions in Nelore cattle following a 120-day feedlot trial conducted in collaboration with the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP) at the University of São Paulo.
The study also demonstrated a 5% improvement in feed conversion efficiency, underscoring the growing commercial and environmental potential of methane-reducing feed additives in modern cattle production systems.
The research evaluated Rumin8’s proprietary methane-reduction feed additive under conditions designed to closely replicate commercial Brazilian feedlot operations. According to the findings, cattle receiving the additive as part of a total mixed ration (TMR) produced methane emissions of 39.6 grams per kilogram of live weight gain, compared with 77.2 grams per kilogram in cattle fed a conventional feedlot diet without supplementation.
Researchers estimated that the trial reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 29.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent during the study period.
“We were pleased to partner with Minerva and ESALQ/USP to assess Rumin8’s ability to mitigate methane emissions and evaluate its impact on animal performance in an environment that simulates a commercial Brazilian feedlot setting,” said David Messina.
“Minerva and Rumin8 share a strong commitment to reducing methane emissions across the agriculture and food sectors, and it was valuable to have the work validated by one of Brazil’s most respected academic institutions,” he added. Messina said the results would support Rumin8’s broader commercialization strategy in Brazil, home to the world’s largest commercial cattle herd.
Feed additives emerge as a key methane mitigation strategy
The study involved two separate groups of Nelore bulls. One cohort of 80 animals housed in individual pens enabled researchers to accurately measure methane emissions and feed intake on an individual basis. A second group of 200 cattle was managed in collective pens to replicate large-scale commercial feedlot conditions.
Throughout the study, cattle were fed a standard Brazilian finishing ration comprising 12% roughage and 88% concentrate, primarily based on ground corn. Researchers involved in the project described the additive as one of the most promising methane mitigation technologies evaluated by the institution to date.
A spokesperson for Minerva Foods said the project demonstrated the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and technology providers in addressing climate-related challenges within the livestock sector.
“This study highlights the potential of innovation and collaboration between industry, science, and technology to address one of the livestock sector’s most pressing climate challenges,” the spokesperson said.
“Reducing methane emissions is a strategic priority for advancing more sustainable cattle production, and initiatives like this help accelerate solutions that combine productivity gains with environmental responsibility,” the company added. Independent verification of the study findings is currently being conducted through agricultural carbon certification organizations, including Athian and FoodChain ID.
The results come amid growing global interest in livestock methane-reduction technologies as governments, food companies, and beef producers face increasing pressure to lower greenhouse gas emissions across the agricultural value chain.
Brazil, the world’s largest beef exporter, has emerged as a critical testing ground for methane mitigation technologies due to the scale of its cattle industry and increasing sustainability requirements from international markets.
Feed additives designed to suppress rumen methane production are increasingly being evaluated as livestock producers seek scalable solutions capable of improving both climate performance and production efficiency without reducing herd sizes.
