The agricultural sector, encompassing agriculture, forestry, and land use, significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 23% of the total (IPCC 2019).  It faces substantial challenges due to population growth and the urgent need to reduce its GHG emissions.  Livestock husbandry, a crucial component of agriculture, accounts for a significant proportion of agricultural GHG emissions (Nugrahaeningtyas et al. 2024).  Reducing emissions from livestock is essential not only for addressing climate change but also for protecting the ecological environment and achieving sustainable development.  This is a critical task for the future of our planet and the well-being of future generations.

In recent years, China has made significant strides in reducing GHG emissions (MEE 2024), particularly in mitigating emissions from livestock (He et al. 2023).  This Special Focus of the Journal of Integrative Agriculture (JIA) explores innovative strategies proposed by Chinese researchers with practical potential for reducing livestock GHG emissions while maintaining productivity and cost efficiency.  The Focus comprises nine papers covering strategies such as optimizing livestock production systems, selecting animal genetics, and formulating balanced diets.  We hope these articles provide readers with detailed insights into China’s efforts to reduce livestock-related GHG emissions and offer valuable perspectives for policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals.

Section 1: Livestock production systems

This section examines the characteristics of GHG emissions from various livestock production systems, including dairy farms, grassland grazing systems, and silage-based feeding.  The studies analyze how these systems influence GHG emissions, nutrient utilization, and animal performance.

Abdul et al. (2025) assessed the contribution of cattle farms to methane emissions globally, identifying strategies such as modifying feed quantity and quality and altering gut microflora to reduce emissions.  This research introduces a novel method for estimating GHG emissions, which could also be applied to other livestock species.

Shi et al. (2025) investigated the effects of stocking rates on growth performance, energy and nitrogen utilization, and methane emissions in grazing systems.  Their results indicate that higher stocking rates may lead to lower methane emissions, underscoring the importance of optimizing grazing management based on the nutritional value of grasses.

Tian et al. (2025) analyzed the impact of different silages on gas production, including CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O, and examined the effects of adding Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) or corn meal (CM) on reducing emissions.  Their findings reveal that triticale silage produced more gas than oat silage, while LP and CM significantly reduced gas production.  The study also identified Lactococcus and Enterobacter as bacterial biomarkers for assessing gas emissions from silage.  These findings contribute to reducing GHG emissions in silage production.

The findings from these studies highlight potential strategies for mitigating GHG emissions in both extensive farming and grazing systems.

Section 2: Animal genetics

This section explores the influence of animal genetics on GHG emissions, focusing on species-specific characteristics.  The studies analyze how genetic factors affect GHG emissions and feed efficiency in different ruminants.

Zhang et al. (2025) conducted a genome-wide association study on Hu lambs and identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms positively associated with feed efficiency, providing promising molecular markers for genetic selection in sheep.  These findings offer valuable reference data and key genetic variants for breeding feed-efficient sheep.

Wang et al. (2025) examined the effects of different ratios of yak to cattle inocula on methane production and fiber digestion.  Their findings indicate that increasing the proportion of yak inoculum reduces methane production while enhancing fiber digestibility and volatile fatty acid production.  The results suggest that yaks produce less methane than cattle, providing valuable data for genetic selection among ruminants.

These findings highlight species-specific methane production characteristics.  Genome-wide association studies may serve as valuable tools for identifying potential genetic markers for future breeding programs aimed at reducing methane emissions.

Section 3: Diet components and feed additives

This section examines the impact of diet composition and feed additives on GHG emissions.  The studies analyze how these factors influence nutrient metabolism, GHG emissions, and the ruminal microbial community.

Li et al. (2025) investigated the effect of dietary fat on nitrogen metabolism efficiency in lambs.  Their findings suggest that a high-fat diet may enhance body weight gain, energy utilization, and nitrogen efficiency by promoting rumen propionate fermentation through Succinivibrio enrichment.

Biao et al. (2025) examined the impact of feeding steers sorghum grain rich in condensed tannins.  Their results show that while nitrogen utilization efficiency remained unchanged, urinary nitrous oxide emissions increased.  These findings suggest that high levels of tannin-rich sorghum grain may not be an effective feed component for reducing GHG emissions.

Ma et al. (2025) studied the effects of cordycepin on methane emissions in vitro.  Their results indicate that cordycepin significantly reduces methane production by shifting rumen fermentation from acetate to propionate formation and decreasing the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter.

Liu et al. (2025) reviewed the effects of seaweed, particularly Asparagopsis taxiformis, on methane emissions from ruminants in vitro and in vivo.  They found that the seaweed has significant potential for mitigating enteric methane emissions, primarily due to its bromoform content.

These findings underscore the importance of diet composition and feed additives in reducing livestock GHG emissions.  Optimizing dietary components and supplementing feed additives could be a practical and effective strategy for lowering emissions in the near future.

This Special Focus contributes to the advancement of green, low-carbon, and sustainable livestock production.  By addressing livestock production systems, animal genetics, and diet optimization, these studies provide valuable knowledge and practical strategies for reducing GHG emissions while improving feed efficiency.  However, further research is needed to refine management practices in both extensive and intensive systems, identify additional genetic markers for targeted breeding, optimize feed formulations, enhance nutrient digestibility, and develop more effective, economical, and environmentally friendly feed additives.  We hope this collection will attract increasing attention from researchers and industry professionals interested in sustainable livestock production.