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05 Aug 2026
Can Chicory Reduce Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows?
Can chicory help cut methane from dairy cows without hurting milk yield?
New research suggests chicory could become an important component of low-emission dairy systems by reducing enteric methane while maintaining milk production. However, scientists caution that its effects on milk composition, rumen fermentation and overall farm performance are more complex than a single methane reduction figure might suggest.
As the dairy industry searches for practical strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, interest in alternative forage species continues to grow. Among these, chicory (Cichorium intybus) has attracted considerable attention because of its high digestibility, deep-rooting characteristics and potential to alter rumen fermentation in ways that reduce methane production.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science provides encouraging evidence that replacing perennial ryegrass with chicory can significantly lower methane emissions without compromising milk yield. Nevertheless, researchers emphasize that the biological responses are complex and additional studies are needed before widespread recommendations can be made.
Replacing perennial ryegrass with chicory reduced methane production by approximately 25% while maintaining milk yield in lactating dairy cows.
A significant reduction in methane emissions
The randomized block trial involved 32 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows, comparing animals grazing perennial ryegrass with cows receiving chicory-based forage.
Compared with ryegrass-fed cows, animals consuming chicory produced approximately:
- 26% less methane per day
- 24% lower methane per kilogram of dry matter intake
- 25% lower methane intensity per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk
Importantly, these reductions occurred without reducing total milk yield, suggesting chicory may help improve the environmental efficiency of dairy production without sacrificing productivity.
Methane intensity—the amount of methane produced per unit of milk—is becoming one of the most important sustainability indicators in modern dairy production.
Milk yield remained stable—but milk composition changed
Although total milk production remained unchanged, researchers observed several notable changes in milk composition and nitrogen metabolism.
Compared with cows fed ryegrass, cows consuming chicory showed:
- Approximately 11% lower milk fat concentration
- About 52% lower milk urea concentration
- Evidence of altered rumen fermentation patterns
- Improved nitrogen utilization efficiency
Lower milk urea may indicate that dietary nitrogen is being utilized more efficiently, potentially reducing nitrogen losses to the environment. This could represent an additional sustainability benefit beyond methane mitigation.
Chicory may contribute to more efficient nitrogen use, potentially lowering nitrogen excretion while maintaining milk production.
Why does chicory reduce methane?
Methane production in ruminants results from microbial fermentation within the rumen. During this process, methanogenic microorganisms use hydrogen generated during digestion to produce methane, which is then released primarily through eructation.
Researchers believe chicory modifies this process by changing rumen fermentation pathways. Compared with ryegrass, chicory contains different carbohydrate fractions, secondary plant compounds and fiber characteristics that influence microbial populations and fermentation end-products.
Interestingly, the study found that hydrogen production increased substantially in cows fed chicory even though methane production declined.
This finding suggests that the reduction in methane is not simply caused by suppressing fermentation. Instead, hydrogen appears to be redirected toward alternative metabolic pathways, altering the balance of rumen fermentation products.
The observed increase in hydrogen production suggests chicory changes how rumen microbes process nutrients, rather than simply reducing fermentation activity.
Supporting evidence from previous research
The recent dairy cow trial adds to a growing body of evidence investigating forage herbs as methane mitigation tools.
Earlier laboratory studies demonstrated that mixtures containing chicory and plantain produced lower methane and reduced ruminal ammonia compared with conventional ryegrass-based forages.
Research involving sheep and dairy cattle has also reported reductions in methane yield when chicory forms a substantial proportion of the diet. However, not every study has produced identical results.
- Plant maturity
- Forage inclusion level
- Season
- Diet composition
- Animal species
- Stage of lactation
can all influence the magnitude of methane reduction observed.
The methane-reducing effect of chicory appears promising, but responses vary according to forage management, diet formulation and production system.
Effects on milk production depend on the production system
While the latest study maintained milk yield, previous research has reported more variable production responses.
A recent meta-analysis concluded that chicory generally increased milk production compared with conventional grass-based systems but produced yields comparable to those obtained with other high-quality forages such as legumes or mixed herb swards.
Other experiments have reported reductions in energy-corrected milk when chicory lowered total dry matter intake. These findings illustrate that responses depend heavily on grazing management, forage availability and overall diet composition.
Chicory should not be viewed as a universal replacement for pasture, but rather as a forage option that may improve sustainability when integrated into well-balanced feeding systems.
Additional sustainability benefits
Beyond methane reduction, chicory offers several characteristics that may contribute to more resilient and sustainable dairy systems.
Its deep root system can improve drought tolerance and water uptake, making it valuable during periods of reduced grass growth. Chicory is also frequently included in multispecies pastures that enhance biodiversity while extending grazing opportunities.
Researchers have also reported potential benefits including:
- Lower nitrogen excretion
- Improved nitrogen-use efficiency
- Potential improvements in milk fatty acid composition
- Greater forage diversity
- Enhanced pasture resilience during dry conditions
Forage diversity may provide multiple environmental benefits beyond methane mitigation, including improved pasture resilience and more efficient nutrient cycling.
Part of a broader methane reduction strategy
Most researchers agree that chicory is unlikely to be a stand-alone solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from dairy production.
Instead, it is best viewed as one component of an integrated sustainability strategy that may also include:
- Methane-reducing feed additives
- Improved genetics and breeding
- Precision nutrition
- Enhanced pasture management
- Better manure management
- Carbon-smart grazing systems
Combining multiple mitigation approaches will likely produce larger and more consistent reductions than relying on any single intervention.
Reducing dairy emissions will require a portfolio of complementary strategies. Chicory appears to be one promising forage within that broader toolbox.
Looking ahead
The latest evidence strengthens the case for chicory as a valuable forage species in climate-smart dairy production. By substantially reducing methane intensity while maintaining milk yield, it offers producers an additional option for improving environmental performance.
However, researchers caution that further work is needed to understand how chicory performs under different climates, grazing systems, forage mixtures and stages of lactation. Long-term farm studies will also be important to evaluate its economic performance alongside its environmental benefits.
Current evidence suggests chicory can significantly reduce enteric methane emissions without lowering milk yield, making it a promising forage for more sustainable dairy production. Continued research will determine how best to integrate chicory into practical, farm-scale methane reduction strategies.
Sources and references
- Journal of Dairy Science. Chicory versus perennial ryegrass trial evaluating methane emissions, hydrogen production and milk performance in lactating dairy cows
