{"id":95,"date":"2024-09-26T20:43:15","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T20:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/annualreport\/2024\/?p=95"},"modified":"2024-11-05T20:08:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T20:08:43","slug":"livestock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.unl.edu\/annualreport\/2024\/livestock\/","title":{"rendered":"Lowering livestock\u2019s methane emissions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When a cow belches, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. One cow, no problem. But entire beef and dairy sectors add up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Nebraska research team is studying ways to reduce methane emissions from livestock with the goal of developing tools and management practices for beef and dairy producers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverybody has to do their part in reducing the carbon footprint and anything that affects climate change. This is one way agriculture can contribute,\u201d said Paul Kononoff, professor of animal science.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kononoff leads a multidisciplinary team that\u2019s tackling the problem from multiple angles.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One method targets the cow\u2019s microbiome. Methane is produced by microbes in the cow\u2019s rumen, its largest stomach compartment. As microbes feast on the cow\u2019s feed, it provides the cow with nutrients. Methane is the byproduct of this relationship. A steer belches about 100 liters of methane daily while a dairy cow belches about 500 liters daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analyzing the complement of microbes in cows with lower emissions will provide important paths to reducing methane.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A row of air samples is ready to be analyzed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kononoff said the team hopes to identify a microbiome that can be introduced to young animals to support their health as they grow while also producing less methane.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team is also comparing the DNA of cattle with varying methane emissions to find genes contributing to lower methane. Pinpointing the genes responsible would help breeders propagate cattle that emit less methane.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is underway. Cattle are spending time eating and belching into an apparatus that measures methane while the team collects DNA and microbiome samples for comparison. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nebraska Extension is also informing beef and dairy producers about the research, laying the groundwork for introducing new tools and management practices that result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kononoff said that by targeting climate change, the research may also improve cattle nutrition and increase production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeef and dairy cattle are major economic drivers in Nebraska, so helping producers understand how they can improve production and sustainability is important not only for the state\u2019s producers, but ultimately their contribution to the economy of Nebraska,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Institute of Food and Agriculture funds this project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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