Global Methane Genetics Hub
In a press release from the World Jersey Cattle Bureau, a $27.4 million global initiative has been announced to reduce livestock methane emissions through natural genetic selection. This international collaboration brings together leading universities, research institutes, and Jersey organisations from around the world to identify and scale breeding solutions that are better for farmers—and the planet. It’s a perfect example of The Right Balance in action: combining innovation and tradition to support sustainable, efficient dairy production without compromise.
Aarhus University, University of Guelph, Lactanet, VikingGenetics, Semex, World Jersey and National Jersey Cattle organisations (AUS, CAN, CH, DNK, FRA, GER, ITA, NLD, NOR, NZ) joins $27.4M Global Initiative to Cut Methane from Livestock
The global Jersey program aims to reduce livestock emissions using natural breeding approaches, as part of new international collaboration
Aarhus, 8th April – Aarhus University, University of Guelph, Lactanet, VikingGenetics, Semex, World Jersey and national Jersey Cattle organisations (AUS, CAN, CH, DNK, FRA, GER, ITA, NLD,NOR, NZ), today announced they are joining a new $27.4 million global initiative to reduce methane emissions from livestock by harnessing natural variation in how animals digest food. Backed by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub, the effort will support research and breeding programs across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania to identify and scale climate-efficient livestock.
“This initiative is a cornerstone of a broader global push to accelerate public-good research on enteric methane,” said Hayden Montgomery, Agriculture Program Director at the Global Methane Hub. “Together with the Bezos Earth Fund, as part of the Enteric Fermentation R&D Accelerator, we’re building an open, coordinated foundation that spans countries, breeds, and species – delivering practical solutions that reduce emissions and support farmers worldwide.”
Researchers from Aarhus University, University of Guelph, and Lactanet will accelerate methane phenotype collection for Jersey cows and, through science-based approaches in collaboration with breeding industry partners, enhance selective breeding for methane efficient Jersey dairy cows. The outcome of the Jersey project will be disseminated through the global World Jersey organization, where 10 national Jersey associations has made promise to locally disseminate the results of the project, and seek opportunities for national recording of methane for Jersey cows.
The initiative is part of the Global Methane Genetics initiative – an international collaboration working to make methane efficiency a standard part of livestock breeding. The effort will screen more than 100,000 animals, collect methane emissions data, and integrate findings into public and private breeding programs to deliver long-term, low-cost climate benefits.
“I am humbled and proud that we can launch a global Jersey breeding project focused on identifying methane efficient Jersey cows. By leveraging global data from Denmark and Canada, with support from World Jersey and national Jersey associations worldwide, we aim to enhance selective breeding for methane efficient Jersey cows,” says Dr. Rasmus Bak Stephansen, postdoc at the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) at Aarhus University and project leader for the Jersey project.
“The Global Methane Genetics project is a great opportunity for our global Jersey dairy breed to develop international cooperation in the field of selective breeding for more methane efficient Jersey cows. World Jersey aims at facilitating exchange among partners and disseminating the results of the project to Jersey breeders and stakeholders around the world.”
Olivier Bulot, Secretary, World Jersey.
“This initiative is crucial to advancing the Jersey breed and increasing sustainability in the dairy sector worldwide. A global approach to methane mitigation will ensure all producers can efficiently increase production to feed a growing population.”
Jacob Lucs, General Manager, Jersey Canada
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas – more than 80 times as powerful as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Cattle are the largest contributors to livestock-related methane emissions. But even within the same herd, some animals naturally emit up to 30% less methane than others. Scientists say selecting and breeding for these lower-emitting animals – just as farmers have long done for milk yield or fertility – can lead to permanent reductions in climate impact.
“Reducing methane from cattle is one of the most elegant solutions we have to slow climate change,” said Dr. Andy Jarvis, Director of the Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund. “Thanks to collaboration with the Global Methane Hub, we’re backing an effort that uses age-old selection practices to identify and promote naturally low-emitting cattle – locking in climate benefits for generations to come.”
Because these traits are already present in existing herds, farmers won’t need to change their feeding practices or invest in new infrastructure with this approach, making it easy to participate in climate solutions without disrupting daily operations.
“This work brings together the best of science, industry, and the global breeding community to accelerate genetic improvement for methane efficiency worldwide,” said Prof Roel Veerkamp, leader of the initiative at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). “It fits nicely with our mission at WUR to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.”
Over time, this approach could reduce methane emissions from cattle by 1.0–2% each year – adding up to a 30% reduction over the next two decades – without changing diets, infrastructure, or productivity.