Texas A&M Kingsville researchers aim to cut emissions from livestock
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is working to reduce the environmental impact of livestock, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
Last week, the university was awarded more than $4.7 million to help ranchers raise and raise animals that produce less methane through a USDA program aimed at expanding markets for “climate-smart” commodities. This year, USDA has invested more than $3.1 billion in projects across the country.
“What we’re trying to do is look for cattle that are more sustainable by producing less methane emissions, and we’re doing that through genetic evaluation,” said researcher and assistant professor Ann Staiger.
Through their natural digestive process, animals produce methane, a greenhouse gas that can affect the earth’s temperature and climate. Due to human-related activities, such as agriculture, methane concentrations in the atmosphere have more than doubled in the last two centuries.
“When we look at greenhouse gas emissions, the goal is to have by 2050, net zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Staiger said. “When we look at agriculture, there’s still a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions coming from our agricultural sector.”
In 2020, agriculture accounted for about 10% of all US emissions, of which livestock is a large contributor.
Due to their unique digestive systems, animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats produce high levels of methane. Other animals, such as pigs, horses, mules, and donkeys, produce much less methane. In the US, the type of animal that produces the most methane is cattle.
But, the amount of methane an animal produces can depend on a variety of factors, but in general, animals with lower feed intake and those that eat high-quality feed produce fewer emissions.
This A&M University-Kingsville project focus: identify cattle that are genetically predisposed to require less feed and give to ranchers and increase their use in breeding.
“The hope is that through genetic selection, through genetic evaluation, we can produce these cattle that are better for the environment,” Staiger said.
In college, students will have the opportunity to learn about technology and equipment that measures methane emissions and how much cattle eat, knowledge they can use after graduation on their own ranches, Staiger said.
“It’s not a question of if cattle producers are going to do this, it’s more a question of when they’re going to have to start implementing these practices,” Staiger said. “If we can incorporate that genetic evaluation now, we are providing a tool that they can easily incorporate into their current management practices.”
Staiger said participating cattle producers would also have the benefit of marketing their more sustainable herds to consumers interested in environmentally conscious foods.
The university is working with the Wharton County-based Brahman Country Genetics and Leachman Cattle of Colorado cattle breeding companies, as well as Zoetis, an animal health company.
“I think there are actually a lot of ranchers who are interested in sustainability because, at the most basic level, what a rancher needs to be successful is land, not just land, but healthy, productive land,” co-owner of Brahman Country Genetics. Rachel Cutrer said. “We care about our pastures, our water sources, and our wildlife on our ranches, and we understand that a changing environment is a very significant issue for ranchers.”
Cutrer said that the changes in livestock help the efficient use of resources.
“The ultimate end goal of producing beef is for food consumption,” Cutrer said. “We believe that the land, natural resources and livestock have to work together to present a healthy environment.”
The university will measure the feed efficiency and genetic data of Brahman Country cattle, seeking to identify desirable qualities in terms of methane production.
Brahman Country has clients buying semen and embryos from cattle from all over the world, Cutrer said.
“This has a huge potential global impact,” Cutrer said. “Our ranch sends cattle semen and embryos to every continent except Antarctica…if we can be a leader in producing these more environmentally friendly cattle, then our customers around the world will take these same cattle. and will introduce it into their own native countries.”
The project aims to eventually provide financial incentives for young or underrepresented minority farmers to purchase sperm or embryos from cattle that have been genetically tested for low emissions and to breed and integrate this quality into their herds.
“We’re trying to provide a marketable product to underserved members of the farming community,” Staiger said.
Until genetic testing is complete, researchers won’t know exactly how much the breeding program could reduce emissions, Staiger said. But research has shown the impact of past genetic selection on livestock and emissions.
A 2011 study shows a 16.3% drop in emissions from beef cattle between 1977 and 2007 as producers increased meat production per animal slaughtered.
“That’s just based on (genetic) selection for a more feed-efficient cow,” Staiger said. “Now, by adding this additional level of selection for methane production reduction, we expect to be able to meet or exceed that.”
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