UNL Extension publishes research series on livestock and greenhouse gas emissions

Ongoing research conducted by Extension specialists and animal science experts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is seeking to explore, define and explain the relationship between ruminants and environmental impacts associated with greenhouse gases (GHGs). 

A six-part series detailing ongoing research is being published online by co-authors Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist Galen Erickson, UNL Dairy Specialist Paul Kononoff, Nebraska Extension Specialist Rick Rasby and UNL Animal Science Extension Program Associate Kortney Harpestad.

Greenhouse gases

Three installments have been published so far, with the first being released on Jan. 1.

Titled, “What are Greenhouse Gases and Where are They Produced?” the article focuses on the production process and scientific properties of GHGs.

The authors define GHGs as “molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere which allow heat from the sun to pass through to the surface while restricting heat from escaping back through the atmosphere, leading to a net warming effect on the climate.”

The name originated from a process observed within glass greenhouses, which trap heat from sunlight and create desirable conditions for growing plants during cold weather.

The three primary GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane and nitrous oxide, with CO₂ accounting for roughly 80 percent of GHG emissions, methane accounting for roughly 11 percent and nitrous oxide accounting for roughly six percent.

The authors explain these three compounds are naturally present in the atmosphere and do not pose problems when balanced. However, an increase in GHGs have inspired growing concern and research examining effects on global warming.

“The concerns about GHGs relate to contributions from human-influenced activities which have increasingly tipped things out of balance, resulting in increasing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere,” the authors explain, adding each of these gases can remain in the atmosphere for time periods ranging from a few years to thousands of years. 

Although methane has a shorter half-life – meaning half of the methane present in the atmosphere today is expected to be removed in nine to 12 years – it is more effective at trapping heat than its counterparts and is therefore a greater cause for concern. 

Methane is of particular interest to the ag industry, since its production is influenced by land use, as well as ruminants like beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats. 

The authors explain methane released as a result of the ruminant digestion process is called “enteric methane” and represents roughly four percent of the estimated 10 percent of GHGs attributed to agriculture.

Methane production

The second installment was published on Feb. 1 and titled, “What Research has the University of Nebraska Conducted on Methane Production in Cattle?”

This article provides specific details about research being conducted at UNL, with the authors emphasizing research on methane production in beef and dairy cattle is focused on reducing the methane contributions of cattle by determining economical and sustainable methane mitigation methods and helping producers make informed decisions. 

Research regarding the
ties between cattle and methane began back in 2014, when UNL researchers tested the impact of adding ionophores to rations in order to alter volatile fatty acid production. 

The authors note conclusions from this study included variable methane production and a better understanding of the difficulty of getting exact methane production measurements.

Following the research, the authors say buildings were retrofitted and state-of-the-art instrumentation was installed to better measure methane production, which has now been measured in cattle in several different settings including cattle on pasture.

Additionally, the authors highlight a study which began in 2024 examining the relationship between animal genetics, the gut microbiome, nutrition and methane production with a goal of developing tools and management practices to lower methane emissions from beef and dairy cattle without having a negative impact on normal growth and production.

Finally, in 2025, UNL researchers received $2.3 million in grant funding from Bezos Earth and the Global Methane Hub for a project focused on creating genetic selection tools to help producers identify and breed cattle which emit less methane without sacrificing performance. 

Cattle contributions

The most recent installment of the series, published on March 1 titled “What are Cattle’s Contributions to Greenhouse Gases?” breaks down the connection between methane production and the cattle industry.

“Rumen fermentation converts ingested feeds into energy and protein sources for the animal to use,” the authors write. “As a result of the rumen fermentation processes, methane is belched from the mouth of cattle into the atmosphere.”

Further, the authors explain runoff collected in lagoons at feedlots can contribute to methane production, as methane is a byproduct of manure breakdown. 

The authors explain agriculture’s contribution to GHG emissions is about 10 percent, with about four percent of this percentage attributed to direct methane production mostly from cattle.

In terms of methane levels, research shows methane from cattle accounts for 25 percent of the 11.2 percent of total methane in the atmosphere. 

The authors note because methane is so effective at trapping heat, even small decreases in emissions can impact climate change positively.

For this reason, the authors say UNL “will conduct research to determine possible strategies to economically mitigate methane production from beef and dairy cattle.”

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.