Answering questions through research, to me, is like entering the water with caution. First, you dip your toe in to decide if you want to swim. Then, you wade in waist high, getting comfortable until you’re ready to fully submerge. 

Scientific research often follows a similar path: it begins with a small-scale project to test a theory and determine whether it’s worth further investment. If initial results are promising, the study is expanded to validate findings across a larger dataset. Finally, if results prove useful for producers, the outcome is delivered as a practical tool. 

That’s what’s happening in the cow herd efficiency space. Earlier studies explored capturing data from grazing cows on pasture, finding out what data points (and how many) make the research practical and useable. 

During the last several years, Kansas State University (K-State), with support from the Angus Foundation, has studied the best practices for measuring enteric methane, meaning methane that is exhaled. That study, and others like it, helped the industry learn more about applying existing technologies in pasture settings and exploring genetic links.  

Now, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) is expanding a bit further with funding secured by the Angus Foundation through the Bezos Earth Fund. This grant covers approximately two-thirds of the project budget, with the remaining one-third provided through matching funds from Meat & Livestock Australia.  AGI will scale data collection, building on the K-State project. Individual measurements are expensive to capture, and today, not as readily accessible as collecting a weight on a scale. Building a meaningful subset of data without placing that burden of expense on members is critical. 

The nuts and bolts of the project 

Although feed intake selection tools exist describing efficiency during the postweaning gain phase, accurately measuring efficiency in grazing cattle remains a challenge. 

Mature body weight has historically been used to measure cow efficiency (Dickerson, 1978). Recent research from Oklahoma State University shows mature body weight might not tell the whole story. In drylot studies using feed-intake systems and hay diets, some larger cows ate the same amount or even less than smaller cows and remained in similar body condition (Lalman, BIF Proceedings, 2024). This supports the long-standing hypothesis that mature body size alone might not be the best way to measure cow efficiency. 

Selection for enteric methane and other emissions such as carbon dioxide and oxygen in combination with other important production traits may pose a potential solution. Enteric methane is a byproduct of the fermentation process as microbes in the rumen break down feed. Energy extracted from feed is partitioned to either 1) body maintenance functions, 2) growth or lactation, or 3) lost as waste. More than 10% of energy intake can be lost as methane (Johnson & Johnson, 1995). Energy savings from reducing enteric methane emission are realized as feed efficiency increases.

Researchers report genetic correlations between methane production and residual feed intake of 0.65-0.76 (Manzanilla-Pech et al., 2022). Another study reported a correlation of 0.62 between methane production and dry-matter intake (Fresco et al., 2023). 

These findings show measuring this data might be a useful indicator of feed intake on grass. 

This project will evaluate the effective capture of individual methane records, its genetic drivers, and the potential to select for the trait. The resulting records will also enable examination of genetic drivers of metabolic heat production and allow for investigation into relationships with other economically relevant traits. 

These relationships may provide valuable insights into cow intake, efficiency and energy loss under grazing conditions. This could contribute to the development or refinement of selection tools that enable producers to identify cattle who are more efficient.

Steps for implementing the research project

1. Build Chambers* (Year 1)
Leveraging technology widely deployed in sheep, New Zealand partners have demonstrated how a Portable Accumulation Chamber (PAC) can provide solutions to capture methane. 

This project will refine the PAC design for beef cattle, considering specific in-country requirements and opportunities — i.e., size, age and weight of the animals. Once designed, PAC construction will commence with the aim of deploying 30 units in the United States, 30 units in Australia and four in the United Kingdom. Measurement and data collection protocols will be established for the project during activity 1.  

*NOTE: Current PAC designs are optimized for smaller animals. The research team is working to adapt these systems for cattle. This step is critical as the intent is to use these records to better understand cow herd efficiency. Evaluation of additional technologies is also underway.

2. Ask for Volunteers (Year 1-5) 
As with previous research projects, AGI will actively pursue volunteers interested in participating in the research from across the Angus community representing diverse regions and varying forage and grazing environments. 

3. Collect Data (Year 2-5) 
Utilizing the PAC technology, the methane measurement records paired with genotypes will be collected. In total, AGI will collect 7,000 measurements (4,600 records funded by the Bezos Earth Fund grant will be submitted to the committee managing the Global Methane Genetics initiative.

Samples for rumen microbial analyses will be collected from 20% subsample of animals across locations. Different microbial communities are known to produce varying levels of methane — subsampling may help to clarify the influence of these microbial factors.

4. Analyze and Report Findings (Year 5) 
The development pipeline includes the establishment of a trait definition as well as understanding the role genetics has on this trait. Methane alone is difficult to select for and needs to be considered along with other traits. Modeling and data protocols including data edits and other model effects will also be explored.

What happens after the five years are up?

As the five-year project concludes, a research report with research breeding values will be published. However, beyond that report, no additional plans are set. 

It’s worth noting a key difference between this research report and previous research EPD efforts released by the Association. In the latter case, research EPDs served as a deliberate step toward weekly production EPDs for registered Angus cattle. The research phase allowed breeders who contributed data to provide feedback on how well the tools described their herds, enabling refinements before full implementation. In contrast, this project is really just a starting point. 

After five years, it’s likely we’ll have more questions. This initiative is a foundational step for the Angus breed to begin understanding methane and other emission measurements, and their potential to help evaluate overall cow herd efficiency. 

Could we have an EPD for it someday? Perhaps. Could the data someday be included in a tool for efficiency? Maybe, but the main point is we won’t know until we do the research and analyze the results to better understand the data and its relationship to other economically relevant traits. 

This does not imply the American Angus Association has to release a genetic selection tool for methane. The ultimate decision as to whether or not this data is published via registration certificates or utilized to support the Association’s selection tools in any way rests solely with the Association.

 The primary deliverable for AGI for the received grant is the collection of 4,600 methane records and their delivery to the Global Methane Genetics initiative. Other research groups can access this anonymized information for further research or building of genomic predictions.  

Breeders tell us their ultimate goal is to have cows that work out in the country, that get it done without hogging all the groceries, and still produce sought-after, heavy-weaning calves. AGI is optimistic this research will be a stepping stone to learning more about the genetics it takes to get there.