A review of the literature indicates that the key to success in using nitrate to reduce enteric
methane production from ruminants is minimising nitrite accumulation in rumen fluid. There is
strong evidence that nitrite accumulation from nitrate is minimal in the rumen when two
requirements are met, viz. the rumen is adjusted or acclimated to nitrate in the diet and sulphur to
nitrate ratios in the feed are balanced to maintain the activity of sulphur reducing bacteria (SRB)
which also reduce nitrite to ammonia. It appears that this applies to feeds with crude protein
levels that spread across the normal range