Breeding for better efficiency: Genetic research targets methane in grazing cattle

Beef producers know methane isn’t just a talking point in the headlines. It’s a natural byproduct of cattle turning grass into high-quality beef. Through the process of enteric fermentation, rumen microbes break down forage and, in the process, produce methane.

Elizabeth Dressler, Ph.D., current American Simmental Association Geneticist and former doctoral student at Kansas State University, has performed a genetic analysis of gas fluxes and metabolic heat production in grazing beef cattle. While methane is far less abundant than carbon dioxide, Dressler said, it’s a powerful greenhouse gas, and livestock account for about a quarter of methane emissions in the U.S. Beyond environmental concerns, methane also represents an energy loss. Anywhere from 2 to 12 percent of the feed energy a cow consumes is lost to methane instead of going toward growth, lactation or reproduction.

For cow-calf producers, this matters. Grazing cows contribute the largest share of methane emissions in the beef supply chain. They spend the most time in this stage and eat forage-heavy diets. Tackling methane here could make the biggest difference industry-wide.

With Pressure Comes Opportunity

Pressure to reduce emissions is mounting, both in the U.S. and globally. The U.S. has pledged to cut methane emissions by 30 percent between 2020 and 2030. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has set a goal of climate neutrality by 2040. Major retailers and processors have added their own commitments.

Related: Solvet introduces cattle stress management tool

Producers may rightfully ask: How can we realistically meet these expectations while still keeping cattle productive and ranches profitable? Feed additives, dietary adjustments and management tweaks have shown promise—but most of those strategies are easier to implement in feedlots than on pasture. For grazing cattle, there are fewer tools in the toolbox.

That’s where genetics comes in. Selecting cattle that naturally produce less methane offers a long-term, cumulative solution. Once those traits are bred into a herd, the benefits stick, generation after generation.

Of course, before selecting for low-methane genetics, researchers need reliable ways to measure it. That’s where the GreenFeed system comes into play. Think of it as a mobile testing trailer, equipped with feed pans that drop a small amount of pelleted feed to attract cattle. As cows eat, fans pull in the air around their muzzle, capturing methane, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels.

These measurements, repeated over multiple visits, help estimate each animal’s daily methane output and metabolic heat production. Researchers at Kansas State, that included Dressler, have been working with these units in pasture conditions to build up data sets large enough for genetic analysis.

Related: Brucella abortus found in Cameroon livestock study

What they’ve found so far is encouraging. With around 40 visits per animal, the data is consistent and reliable. In fact, even a single visit gives a decent snapshot of an animal’s methane output, though more visits provide stronger confidence.

Early Genetic Findings

Preliminary estimates suggest methane production is moderately heritable—about the same as many production traits breeders already know about and use for selection. This means that there is genetic variation within herds and across populations, and therefore, methane production could be considered in selection decisions as well.

Researchers are still cautious, Dressler said, noting potential trade-offs. Some past studies have shown links between lower methane and less production or growth, though more data is needed to confirm how strong those relationships are in grazing cattle. Current efforts are also looking at correlations with other traits like weaning weight, fertility and efficiency.

At this point, the heritability is promising enough to keep pushing forward. The project has already recorded data on more than 400 animals, with plans to expand. As more universities and seedstock operations collaborate, the power of this research will grow.

Related: Why udder quality matters

For commercial cow-calf operators, the idea of selecting cattle for methane traits may feel futuristic. But the path from research to on-ranch reality follows a familiar pattern:

Step 1: Reliable Measurement

Step 2: Genetic Parameters

Step 3: Breed Association Integration

Step 4: Practical Application

In the meantime, producers should watch for updates from breed associations and BIF guidelines . The Angus Foundation and other groups are already supporting similar work, which signals that industry adoption may not be far off.

The Road Ahead

Reducing methane from grazing cows won’t be a silver bullet, nor will it happen overnight. But genetic selection offers a permanent, cumulative approach that fits alongside other management strategies, Dressler said. With collaboration among universities, breeders and industry groups, the goal of breeding cattle that are both productive and lower-emitting is within reach.

For producers, that means one day the opportunity to select bulls not just for growth, fertility, and carcass traits, but also for how efficiently they turn forage into beef without wasting energy as methane. That’s a win for sustainability, a win for efficiency, and ultimately, a win for the bottom line.

Takeaways:

Methane is both an energy loss and an environmental concern

Genetic selection offers a permanent solution

The GreenFeed system is helping researchers measure methane accurately

Early research shows methane traits are moderately heritable