Tannin feed additives linked to lower cattle methane
A pooled analysis found lower digestive methane emissions, but methane per unit of milk or weight gain did not show a clear improvement.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This abstract reports lower digestive methane emissions and methane yield in cattle given tannin feed additives. However, methane intensity—the amount relative to milk production or weight gain—did not improve clearly. Findings were more secure for beef cattle, while the smaller and uneven dairy evidence makes conclusions about dairy systems less certain.
The evidence base was uneven across cattle groups and tannin types. The abstract does not describe study durations or comparison diets, and the separate analysis of lactating dairy cows had weak statistical support.
Production measures gave a different picture
Despite lower overall methane emissions, the analysis detected no significant changes in dairy feed intake, milk yield or milk composition. Methane intensity also showed no detected change, highlighting that emissions and production-adjusted emissions are separate outcomes.
A possible digestive trade-off
In beef cattle, lower fiber digestibility accompanied lower methane emissions. The abstract describes an association between these changes; it does not establish that reduced digestibility caused the methane reduction or clarify the longer-term consequences for performance.
The original publication
Impact of tannin-based additives on animal performance and enteric methane emissions in dairy and beef cattle: A meta-analysis.
Souza VC, Almeida KV, Rosenstein PK et al.
J Dairy Sci · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41349829
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.