By Trish Svoboda

The Enteric Methane Innovation Tools for Lower Emissions and Sustainable Stock (EMIT LESS) Act, a bill aimed at voluntarily decreasing methane emissions from dairy and beef cattle on American farms and ranches, was presented by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran, Tammy Baldwin, Michael Bennet, and Mike Crapo. “New research and ranching practices are showing promising results to reduce methane emissions and keep our farms and ranches thriving,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will invest in further research and provide our producers with tools to improve their farms and ranches.”

The EMIT LESS Act is designed to tackle enteric methane, a natural byproduct of the digestive process in many livestock species. The Act proposes to extend research at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), introduce new products like feed additives, implement practices that lower these emissions, and establish voluntary incentives through conservation programs. These measures aim to provide farmers and ranchers with beneficial tools to manage and reduce emissions.

“This bill will allow our nation’s livestock producers to be better positioned to compete in the global climate economy,” said Chuck Conner, President & CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. “This bill empowers USDA to direct resources to voluntary livestock practices that have incredible potential to reduce GHG emissions and increase profitability for our nation’s livestock producers. I commend Senator Bennet and Crapo for their bipartisan leadership on this bill.”