Research will help farmers produce lower-methane beef
Researchers in Australia have said the results of a project to compare methane emissions from different breeds of cattle will be ready for farmers to use in 2027 or 2028.
The team that worked on the collaborative research project, Low Methane Beef, is a group from the University of New England (UNE) in New South Wales, the same state’s department of regional development, Angus Australia and Meat and Livestock Australia.
Starting in 2022, they began recording the methane emissions and key performance traits of cattle. They now have data from more than 5,000 animals. They now say the beef industry is “one step closer” to being able to breed cattle that produce lower methane emissions.
UNE researcher, Professor Sam Clark, said industry-wide adoption and lasting impact were possible outcomes of the work the group has done. “Genetic change is long term, permanent and cumulative,” he said. “We can improve herd genetics with each generation to increase productivity and efficiency for methane traits.”
