BiomEdit’s AI “Rumen Digital Twin” Aims to Slash Cattle Methane Emissions by 75%

Courtesy: Unsplash ph. Jacinto Diego

In a new bid to tackle livestock emissions, BiomEdit has been selected as one of just 15 global teams awarded funding from the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge. In partnership with Bioversity International USA and Yale University, the animal health biotechnology company will receive nearly $2 million to build the Rumen Digital Twin, a pioneering AI model designed to identify how methane emissions from cattle can be dramatically reduced while improving animal health and productivity.

Methane from livestock is among the most potent greenhouse gases, responsible for a significant share of agricultural emissions. By combining microbiome science and artificial intelligence, BiomEdit hopes to revolutionize how the industry approaches mitigation. The company will train its generative AI model on data from more than 20,000 ruminants across over 25 countries, including regions of the Global South, integrating over 10,000 microbiome profiles linked to methane output, diet, host genetics, and productivity.

Rather than relying on costly and time-intensive field trials, the Rumen Digital Twin will allow scientists to simulate interventions virtually, pinpointing the precise conditions under which specific feed additives or management practices yield the greatest climate and productivity gains. According to BiomEdit, this approach could reduce methane emissions by as much as 75% compared to untargeted strategies, all while enhancing animal performance.

“This project reflects the power of the microbiome and the use of AI to reduce methane and improve productivity in livestock,” said BiomEdit CEO Aaron Schacht. “With the generous support of the Bezos Earth Fund and in collaboration with Bioversity and Yale, we aim to develop a better understanding of targeted interventions and share that knowledge to positively affect both climate impact and animal well-being.”

The project’s most tangible outcome will be an open-access, cloud-based platform where users can explore virtual herds, simulate interventions, and fine-tune methane-reduction strategies. The platform and model will be free to research and non-profit organizations worldwide, while commercial developers will be able to license access, ensuring that both public and private actors can benefit from the innovation.

Launched in 2024, the AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge is a $100 million initiative by the Bezos Earth Fund designed to leverage artificial intelligence to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The program supports scientists and startups developing responsible AI tools for environmental action, with mentorship from AWS, Google.org, NVIDIA, Microsoft Research, AI2, and Esri. “These projects show how AI, when developed responsibly and guided by science and local knowledge, can strengthen environmental action and ensure its overall impact on the planet is positive,” said Dr. Amen Ra Mashariki, Director of AI and Data Strategies at the Bezos Earth Fund.

The Rumen Digital Twin builds upon BiomEdit’s previous methane-reduction work funded by a $4.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation in 2023, which focuses on microbiome-based feed additives in Africa and South Asia. Together, the two initiatives underscore the company’s growing leadership in developing data-driven, microbiome-powered solutions that not only help the planet but also improve animal welfare and agricultural efficiency.

By uniting AI innovation with microbial science, BiomEdit and its partners are setting a new standard for sustainable livestock production, one where emissions can be managed virtually before they ever reach the atmosphere.