USDA and Iowa State researchers are screening molecules that may reduce methane production in the cattle rumen.
Molecular screening
In a report dated 8 January 2025, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Iowa State University described molecular modelling and a graph neural network used to narrow a list of potential methane-inhibiting compounds. Laboratory results are fed back into the model.
Testing beyond the model
The researchers described live-cattle testing as part of the validation process. The report contains no finding that the shortlisted compounds are approved or effective in commercial herds. The accompanying USDA photograph shows cattle at a methane-measurement system in Oklahoma, not the molecular-screening experiment.