Queen’s researchers join major UN initiative to improve livestock farming and cut methane emissions

The Queen's team will be led by Professor Sharon Huws (right) and co-led by Dr Katerina Theodoridou (left) who will work alongside Dr Kayley Barnes (centre) from the Institute for Global Food Security and School of Biological Sciences at Queen's to drive the program forward.

Sunday 18 October 2026

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast are set to play a key role in a major international research initiative aimed at improving livestock productivity, reducing methane emissions and strengthening global food security.

The five-year project will bring together scientific expertise through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, a partnership involving the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Queen’s researchers will contribute specialist knowledge on animal nutrition and the microorganisms living in livestock digestive systems, helping scientists identify ways to breed healthier, more productive animals with a reduced environmental impact.

Improving livestock farming for the future

The international project, entitled Enhancing animal phenotyping for improved productivity and resilience, aims to help countries use nuclear and related technologies to improve livestock breeding programmes and support sustainable food production.

It will focus on two major challenges facing agriculture: increasing livestock productivity to meet growing demand while reducing environmental pressures, and identifying the animal characteristics that can support more effective breeding programmes.

This process, known as phenotyping, involves measuring and analysing an animal’s physical and biological characteristics to identify traits linked to productivity, health and resilience.

The research comes as livestock farmers face growing challenges associated with climate change, including rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, reduced feed quality and increased risks to animal health.

Queen’s scientists leading specialist research

The Queen’s research team will be led by Professor Sharon Huws, alongside co-lead Dr Katerina Theodoridou and Dr Kayley Barnes, from the university’s Institute for Global Food Security and School of Biological Sciences.

Their work will focus on the relationship between livestock nutrition, the rumen microbiome and methane production, with the aim of identifying characteristics that could help farmers improve productivity while reducing emissions.

Professor Sharon Huws said:

“Animal production is under increasing pressure from population growth, rising demand for animal-source foods, and climate change. Higher temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and more extreme weather can reduce feed quality, increase water scarcity, spread disease, and harm animal health, welfare and productivity.

“To sustain meat and milk production, it is essential to breed animals that remain healthy and productive under changing environmental conditions by identifying traits that improve resilience without compromising performance.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in improving breeding programmes for the future. We are delighted that Queen’s will contribute its expertise to a project that aligns closely with our mission to drive innovation, support sustainable solutions and deliver real-world impact.”

Understanding how livestock produce methane

A central element of the Queen’s research will examine the rumen, the largest and first compartment of the stomach in animals such as cattle and sheep.

The rumen contains communities of microorganisms that help animals digest plant material and extract essential nutrients. However, the fermentation process also produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Scientists hope that understanding differences in these microbial communities, and how they respond to changes in animal diets, could help identify opportunities to reduce emissions without compromising livestock health or productivity.

Dr Kayley Barnes explained:

“Queen’s will provide expertise on the differences between microbial communities in the rumen, which is the largest and first compartment of the stomach in cud-chewing animals, and will aim to show how changes in an animal’s (ruminant’s) nutrition can influence these communities, ultimately affecting methane production.

“The rumen acts as a fermentation vat where microorganisms break down tough plant fibres, unlocking nutrients and energy for the animal. The relationship between the animal and its rumen microbiome is crucial to health and productivity. However, this fermentation process also produces gaseous waste products, including methane.

“The mix of microbes in the rumen is different for each animal, although some key microbes are found in all ruminants. Research has shown that animals that produce high levels of methane have different amounts of certain microbes compared with animals that produce lower levels of methane.”

Potential benefits for Northern Ireland agriculture

The research could have particular relevance for Northern Ireland, where cattle and sheep farming form an important part of the agricultural economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains a significant challenge.

By improving understanding of the links between animal genetics, nutrition, digestive microorganisms and methane production, the project could help inform future livestock breeding and management practices.

While the research is at an early stage, its findings could ultimately contribute to farming systems that are more productive, environmentally sustainable and resilient to changing climatic conditions.

Further information about the international research initiative is available at https://www.iaea.org/projects/crp/d31034⁠