ALFA president Jim Cudmore says the report addresses what he describes as "the widespread misconception" that beef cattle feedlots are resource and energy intensive and hence are worse for the environment than organic or grass fed beef production.

"The report using a life cycle impact assessment concluded that beef from feedlot cattle had 50 per cent and 38pc lower methane emissions per kilogram of hot standard carcass weight compared with organic and grass fed beef production respectively," Mr Cudmore said.

"Compared with grass fed beef production, this outcome is achieved because the superior nutrition and digestibility of feedlot rations means that cattle slaughter weights can be achieved at a younger age.

"The message is clear: by improving the efficiency of beef production (through increasing the proportion of feed energy that is converted to beef) lower methane emissions per unit of product are then obtained.

"Notably, this goal can be achieved by both grain and grass fed production systems."