How can livestock farming reduce its environmental footprint while becoming better prepared for a changing climate? This is the central question behind RUMINATE, a new four year Horizon Europe project that officially began with its Kick-off Meeting in Thessaloniki on 1 and 2 July 2026.
Hosted by the project Coordinator, the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, CERTH, at the Alexander Innovation Zone, the meeting brought together researchers, farmers, advisors, technology experts and industry partners from across Europe and beyond.
Over two days, the consortium explored the project’s vision, governance and scientific approach, while each partner presented its expertise and role. Sessions focused on the work ahead, including the mapping of livestock farming systems, the development of common data frameworks, the preparation of nutritional trials and the planning of demonstrations in real farming environments.
RUMINATE addresses two closely connected climate challenges: reducing methane emissions from cattle and improving sheep resilience to heat stress. To achieve this, the project will combine animal genomics, nutritional strategies, environmental and farm data, predictive modelling and digital technologies.
Scientific innovation, however, is only part of the answer. Solutions must also be practical, affordable and relevant to the everyday realities of farmers.
This is why co-creation is at the centre of RUMINATE’s approach. Through a network of Future Farming Design Studios, farmers, researchers, advisors and industry representatives will work together to design, test and refine new solutions. Their input will help ensure that the project’s results are understandable, scalable and ready to support decision making on farms.
Expected outputs include nutritional protocols for lower emission and more heat resilient livestock, genetic marker panels, predictive models and a user friendly Decision Support Tool supporting feeding, breeding and farm management strategies.
As a RUMINATE partner, reframe.food (RFF) will help ensure that the project’s results reach the people who can use them. Its role includes communication, stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange and support for sustainable business models.
The Kick off Meeting also created space for the relationships needed for the four year collaboration ahead. Alongside the working sessions, partners visited CERTH’s premises and explored Thessaloniki together, strengthening connections across the consortium.
RUMINATE’s journey has now begun, with a shared ambition to support lower emissions, stronger resilience and more sustainable livestock systems.
