Breaking Down the Carbon Footprint: Beef Cattle Farming Strategies Towards Net-Zero Emissions

Abstract

The beef cattle farming industry is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily through methane (CH₄) released from enteric fermentation and nitrous oxide (N₂O) originating from manure management and fertilized soils. Achieving net-zero emissions in this sector is therefore critical for climate change mitigation and for meeting international commitments such as the Paris Agreement. This article reviews and synthesizes current knowledge on the carbon footprint of beef cattle production systems and evaluates key mitigation strategies across the entire supply chain. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is highlighted as a central tool for quantifying emissions from cradle-to-farm gate or cradle-to-grave and for identifying major emission hotspots. Evidence indicates that emissions vary widely among production systems, driven by differences in feed composition, herd management, productivity, and land-use practices. Effective mitigation pathways include optimizing animal nutrition to reduce enteric methane, improving manure management technologies, enhancing pasture quality and grazing management to increase soil carbon sequestration, and integrating land-use strategies such as agroforestry and afforestation. While global demand for animal protein continues to rise, an integrated approach that combines productivity gains with emission reductions is essential. This review demonstrates that no single strategy is sufficient to achieve net-zero emissions; instead, coordinated interventions that balance environmental performance, economic viability, and production efficiency are required to transition beef cattle farming toward climate-neutral systems.