You may have seen some discussion online about the Angus Foundation receiving a grant from the Bezos Earth Fund. To clear up a few points, we wanted to provide more information on this beef-industry-led research and call your attention to our post-board meeting podcast later this week.

On April 15, the American Angus Association released information on this research project. The article can be found here.  

Obviously, this is a complicated topic and one that can be filled with strong emotions. That’s understandable. We all agree that we need to support families making their livelihood by raising cattle and recognize there are different perspectives on the best approach. Some believe there is more risk in being involved in the research around methane as it gives credence to our critics. Others believe there is greater risk in not being involved and letting others have the data and control our fate. Some suggest any engagement on the topic of methane is wrong and supports an activist agenda. After much consideration of the options, the choice was made to engage in the research, be involved in directing the project, and ultimately have more influence on changing the false narrative around cows and climate. 

For background, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI^®), our genetics subsidiary, has previously collaborated with the Angus Foundation and Kansas State University on methane research and its relationship to the efficiency of grazing cattle. You can read about it in this 2023 article. Recently, AGI was approached by a group of beef industry researchers from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland to participate in a research project studying the influence genetics has on methane emissions and its relationship to feed efficiency, lifetime performance and beef quality traits. Studies have shown that methane emissions vary among individual animals due to both genetics and environment, while also having a strong relationship to feed efficiency. This means collecting methane emission data can increase the amount of data and information available to better predict feed efficiency. While we understand that there is a lot of noise and debate around the topic of methane and climate change, this research is simply about improving efficiency.   

The project we were invited to be a part of is aligned with current research priorities around efficiency. Additionally, it ensures the Association, through AGI, has a seat at the table when the research is conducted, validated, and results are communicated, particularly those related to U.S. Angus genetics. Ultimately, we believe those factors serve the breed’s best interests.  

The research grant was submitted by the beef industry research group to the Global Methane Hub and funding was awarded by the Bezos Earth Fund. The Angus Foundation was awarded $4.85 million, not to keep but to be managed for the research participants. These funds will be distributed to the University of New England (AUS), who is coordinating the project. As part of the grant, AGI will receive a portion of the funding to collect 4,600 methane phenotypes from participating Angus breeders and research herds in the United States. For dispersing the grant, the Angus Foundation received a 3% administrative fee that can go to unrestricted funding of scholarships, youth programs and education. The rest of the grant goes to the other collaborating researchers. 

A few additional notes:

• Like in the case of any grant funding, the Bezos Earth Fund/Global Methane Hub has no authority to influence or alter the direction, design, or use of the research outlined in the proposal. In other words, there is a firewall between the research findings, our member’s data, and the Bezos Earth Fund/Global Methane Hub. 

• This research could be used to develop a new selection tool or be incorporated into our existing Feed Efficiency EPD, but it does not commit the Association to publishing a new EPD nor the inclusion of methane traits into any of the current Angus $Values. The American Angus Association Board of Directors will have the final decision on what selection tools, if any, would be included on an American Angus Association registration certificate. 

• Methane selection tools are being researched and developed by other breeds, genetic companies and registered Angus breeders here in the United States and around the world. Funded by non-membership money, this research could help provide all members of the American Angus Association with similar tools should they choose to want them.   

The Association Board of Directors meets this week and will continue to discuss this topic, among many others. As we always do, The Angus Conversation podcast is recorded immediately following the board meeting to discuss the most important business items and allow board members to share their perspective on the meeting with members. The full list of agenda topics can be found here. The podcast and president’s letter will be posted as soon as possible following the board meeting on Angus.org. If you have more questions, we hope you will listen to the podcast and of course, please reach out to our staff or board members with your questions, feedback or ideas.