By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) is stepping up its efforts to understand the environmental impact of ranching with a significant $5 million grant aimed at grazing systems.
This initiative, led by Professor Galen Erickson, seeks to develop precise technologies and scientific methods to measure greenhouse gas emissions from cattle accurately.
The project, funded through the university’s Grand Challenges grant, will span five years and involve comprehensive research at three UNL facilities.
These include the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center, Barta Brothers Ranch, and Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. The research will focus on creating viable tools to evaluate and predict the impact of various grazing practices on the environment.
This initiative is part of a broader university mission to enhance climate resilience and sustainable food systems, addressing three key priorities identified by the Grand Challenges initiative.
The ultimate goal is to equip beef producers with reliable tools to assess whether changes in their practices yield environmental benefits, thereby contributing to more sustainable grazing strategies.
Erickson's team, comprising experts in multiple disciplines from grazing systems to remote sensing and data modeling, will use advanced technologies including satellite and drone imagery to monitor greenhouse gas fluxes in these areas.
The research aims not only to measure the emissions but also to understand the carbon sequestration potential of different grazing lands.
The ADAPT project, as it is known, will also evaluate how cattle interact with their grazing environments and how these interactions contribute to greenhouse gas levels. The project emphasizes a cross-disciplinary approach, integrating insights from plant ecophysiology, soil science, and agronomy to provide a holistic view of the ecological dynamics at play.
Through this rigorous scientific study, UNL hopes to provide actionable data that can lead to more informed decisions in the beef industry.
The project aligns with the university's long-standing commitment to supporting the agricultural sector through research that bridges the gap between academic studies and practical agricultural applications.
As this project progresses, it promises to add a critical dimension to our understanding of sustainable agriculture and the role of livestock in ecological management.
Photo Credit:pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Beef Cattle