Global Methane Genetics (GMG) initiative annual meeting at WCGALP 2026

One year ago, the partners were still talking mostly about contracts, funding and how to get hold of methane recording devices. This time the mood was completely different: partner after partner reported on how many devices they had installed and how many animals they had already recorded. "Everybody is really into action," says Yvette de Haas (organizer and GMG co-coordinator). "Even if projects are not recording heavily yet, they all have the infrastructure in place to speed up."

Most of the meeting consisted of breakout sessions in small groups. In one session, participants imagined it was 2030 and the genetic evaluation of methane emission had been harmonized globally regarding trait definitions, data recording and data processing. How did we get there? The discussions showed that the partners have a clear idea of the steps needed, and where the gaps still are. One gap is agreeing on the trait definition and how to record it. "We don't have it yet, but we are on the right track," says organizer and GMG co-coordinator Birgit Gredler-Grandl. "One GMG project is already working on harmonized data pipelines between Denmark and the Netherlands. The next question is how to expand that to other countries."

In other breakout sessions, the partners discussed how methane genetics can become a recognized mitigation strategy. Communication came up as a key gap: breeders still need to convince farmers, food processors and governments that genetic selection is a powerful way to reduce methane. That message is essential for giving methane reduction an economic value, so farmers are rewarded for acting on it.

Birgit is positive about the meeting: "It is nice to see that people are willing to share information, tools and experiences." That willingness does not come out of nowhere, Yvette emphasizes. "Meetings like these are very important to build that community."