December 3, 2025

 

Australian project releases genomic breeding values for methane emissions in beef cattle

 

The Low Methane Beef project in Australia has reached a major milestone, releasing its first genomic Research Breeding Values for methane emissions in beef cattle.

 

The project's goal is to develop tools that enable methane emissions traits to be included in beef cattle breeding objectives.

 

Research Breeding Values (RBVs) refer to the initial release of alpha version breeding values. Once a pipeline to deliver breeding values via BreedPlan is built for methane, they will become Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) as part of routine analysis delivered via participating beef cattle breed societies.

 

The work is a collaborative project between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Meat & Livestock Australia, the University of New England and Angus Australia.

 

DPIRD research officer for extensive Livestock, Dr. Tom Granleese, said breeding for low methane emissions offered a practical and permanent solution to reducing emissions across the national beef herd.

 

"The newly published RBVs estimate genetic differences in methane production under feedlot and pasture conditions. Lower RBVs indicate animals expected to produce offspring that emit less methane than the current average," Dr. Granleese said.

 

Selecting for low methane genetics alongside profit-driving traits like growth and fertility could deliver cumulative, permanent reductions in emissions over generations, he added.

 

"This project now provides the first genomic RBVs for sires used in the programme, which is a significant step forward, giving breeders the tools to make informed decisions," Dr. Granleese said.

 

"The research paves the way for breeders to select animals that continue to be highly productive whilst also contributing to long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions."

 

Since its inception in 2022, the LMB project has recorded methane outputs from about 5,000 animals in the Southern MultiBreed (SMB) and Angus Sire Benchmarking Project (ASBP) herds.

 

Measurements were taken on steers at UNE's Tullimba feedlot and on heifers grazing NSW DPIRD research sites, using GreenFeed in-field emissions monitoring systems.

 

These measurements were collected alongside other performance traits. Together, these pieces of data have been used to develop RBVs for the sires included in the project. This represents the first step toward incorporating methane traits into routine genetic evaluations such as BreedPlan.

 

Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Michael Crowley said the milestone delivered an additional trait that enables producers to balance breeding objectives to deliver both environmental and productivity gains.

 

"Reducing methane emissions is essential for the industry, and it can now be considered alongside other profit-driving traits such as growth, fertility, and carcass quality," Crowley said.

 

"These research breeding values currently apply to animals within the project cohorts. Further investment is underway to expand data collection across more animals, which will improve accuracy and enable these breeding values to be delivered routinely to industry."

 

"The Low Methane Beef project is a great example of collaborative innovation, providing breeders with genomic tools that enable multi-trait selection and support long-term sustainability across the beef supply chain."

 

University of New England Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Moran said the presentation of the first genomic RBVs for methane builds on UNE's history of undertaking novel research to tackle the key challenges facing Australia's livestock industry.

 

"While these values are still in the research phase, their future commercial delivery through BreedPlan will give the beef industry the practical tools to reduce emissions," Prof Moran said.

 

"Delivering cutting edge, industry relevant research also underpins UNE's mission of training world leading agricultural and rural scientists who will continue to lead the way in measuring and reducing emissions in our national herd."

 

- DPIRD