The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is playing a key role in a new $27.4 million global initiative aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock—without disrupting everyday farm operations. Funded by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub, the effort focuses on breeding cattle that naturally produce less methane by using existing genetic variation in herds.
Nebraska’s involvement includes a $2.34 million project led by Matt Spangler, Ronnie Green Professor of Animal Science. His team will gather and analyze data from beef cattle to study how genetics influence methane output and how this connects to other traits that matter to producers—like growth, feed efficiency, and overall profitability. The goal is to help farmers make informed breeding decisions that reduce emissions while maintaining herd performance.
The research is part of the Global Methane Genetics initiative, which will evaluate more than 100,000 animals across five continents—including North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. The long-term vision is to make methane efficiency a standard trait in breeding programs by integrating emissions data into genetic selection tools used worldwide.
Cattle are the largest source of methane in agriculture, but even within a single herd, there can be significant variation. Some animals naturally emit up to 30% less methane than others. Scientists believe that by selecting and breeding these lower-emitting animals, producers can reduce emissions by as much as 30% over the next 20 years.
One of the biggest advantages of this approach is that it doesn’t require changes to feed, facilities, or farm routines. Since the low-emission traits already exist in many herds, farmers can participate simply by adjusting their breeding strategy—without making costly investments or major operational changes.
In addition to this global effort, Nebraska is leading two other major methane-related research projects:
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A $5 million USDA-funded project, led by Professor Paul Kononoff, is exploring how genetics, nutrition, and gut microbes interact to influence methane emissions in cattle.
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A second $5 million initiative, led by Galen Erickson through the university’s Grand Challenges program, is developing low-cost, reliable methods for measuring greenhouse gas emissions from grazing cattle—an important step in tracking and managing methane at the farm level.
Together, these projects position the University of Nebraska as a leader in methane reduction research, helping to bridge cutting-edge science with real-world solutions for producers.
The global strategy is expected to reduce livestock methane emissions by 1% to 2% per year—adding up to a 30% cut over two decades. It’s a practical, science-based path forward that shows how traditional breeding practices can play a major role in tackling modern climate challenges.
