New research from the University of Saskatchewan suggests that cattle able to digest fibre more efficiently may also contribute to lower methane emissions — a finding that could have major implications for productivity and sustainability in the beef sector.
Led by Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro, Saskatchewan Beef Industry Chair in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, and master’s candidate Megan Dubois, the study explored why some cattle convert feed into body weight more efficiently than others. The team examined rumination behaviour, fibre digestion, and rumen microbiology to identify traits linked to feed efficiency.
Fibre Efficiency and Methane Output
The researchers observed that cattle with higher fibre digestibility gained weight more efficiently. While previous assumptions linked greater fibre digestion to higher methane production, the study found otherwise. Total methane emissions per day remained similar between animals, but those that digested fibre more efficiently produced less methane per kilogram of feed digested.
This means cattle that convert feed into gain more effectively emit less methane per unit of beef produced — an important link between animal performance and environmental impact.
Chewing Behaviour Matters
The research team studied 64 black Angus crossbred heifers from a single herd, selecting eight of the most efficient and eight of the least efficient animals for detailed analysis. The most efficient heifers not only digested fibre better, they also ate faster, gained weight more quickly, and spent more time ruminating.
Extended chewing likely improved fibre breakdown, giving rumen microbes better access to nutrients and supporting faster feed passage through the digestive tract. This reduced the time available for methane-producing microbes to act, offering a natural advantage for both feed conversion and emission reduction.
These differences remained consistent even when cattle were fed grain-based diets, suggesting that certain efficiency traits are independent of feed type.
Benefits for Producers
The findings highlight a practical opportunity for producers seeking to improve profitability and environmental performance without added costs. Selecting for animals that digest fibre more efficiently could reduce feed expenses and methane intensity simultaneously, rather than relying on expensive emission-reduction technologies that offer little financial return.
As pressure grows to demonstrate climate accountability across livestock systems, improving efficiency through breeding and management may be one of the most straightforward strategies available.
Next Steps in Research
The project, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Beef Cattle Research Council, Alberta Beef Producers, and the Saskatchewan Cattle Association, is now entering a new phase. Dubois will expand her work as a PhD student, examining larger herds to link these efficiency traits with genetic markers.
Future research supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agriculture Methane Reduction Challenge and industry partners will help identify which genetic and microbial factors drive the most efficient animals. Long term, this could lead to DNA-based tools to help producers select cattle that perform better on forage diets while reducing emissions intensity.
Toward a More Sustainable Herd
By understanding how digestion, rumination, and microbiology interact, researchers hope to improve both the environmental footprint and economic resilience of beef and dairy production. Selecting cattle that eat faster, chew longer, and digest fibre more completely could deliver heavier, more efficient animals with a smaller methane footprint — a practical win for producers and the planet alike.
