Gudmundsen Sandhills Lab to Help Measure Ranching’s Real Environmental Impact
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has launched a major research effort to give ranchers the facts they need about greenhouse gases from grazing cattle—and the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL) will play a central role.
Backed by a five-year, $5 million Grand Challenges grant, the ADAPT (Advancing Development of Assessments, Practices and Tools) project is working to develop easy-to-use, affordable tools for accurately measuring the environmental footprint of grazing systems.
“We often ask producers to make changes without knowing for sure if they’re helping the environment,” said Galen Erickson, professor of ruminant nutrition and leader of the Beef Innovation hub. “Our goal is to give ranchers reliable data so they can make decisions that make sense for their operation.”
At GSL near Whitman, researchers will combine satellite imagery, drone technology, and on-the-ground monitoring to track changes in greenhouse gas levels when cattle are grazing. The work will measure not just the gases cattle produce, but also how much carbon is captured by the Sandhills’ native grasses and stored in the soil—a factor often overlooked in beef industry studies.
The research team brings together specialists in grazing management, soils, plant physiology, and remote sensing, alongside ranchers who will help shape the project. Producer input will ensure the tools developed are not only scientifically accurate but also practical and affordable for day-to-day ranch use.
For Nebraska’s beef industry—which is vital to the state’s economy and stewardship of its natural resources—the benefits could be significant. The data collected at GSL and other sites will help ranchers select management practices that protect rangeland health, improve sustainability, and work for their bottom line.
With science-backed numbers, Nebraska producers will be able to confidently share their story with consumers, markets, and policy makers—showing how ranching in the Sandhills and across the state is part of the solution for a climate-smart future.
