US: Selective breeding could help farmers lower enteric methane emissions in dairy cows

Published Dec 24, 2024

Tridge summary

A research project led by Francisco Peñagaricano at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, funded by the Greener Cattle Initiative, aims to develop genetic tools to breed dairy cows for lower enteric methane emissions. The project will use a portable GreenFeed system to measure methane emissions, study the genetics of low-emitting cows, and create a low-cost, non-invasive milk test for methane emissions. The goal is to provide U.S. dairy farmers with cost-effective tools to breed for lower emissions, potentially having a global impact through the export of U.S. semen. The research overcomes the challenges of phenotyping and knowledge-sharing, requiring future adoption to be safe, affordable, realistic, productive, and beneficial to farm profits. It addresses societal concerns related to sustainable dairy farming by leveraging genetic selection to improve feed efficiency, reduce methane emissions, and enhance environmental sustainability.

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Original content

With global demand for milk and meat expected to continue rising in the next decade, U.S. dairy farmers have a great opportunity to fuel the needs of a growing population. To capitalize on this opportunity of growing demand, farmers also need to find methods for reducing dairy cow enteric methane emissions. Francisco Peñagaricano, with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, believes selective breeding could provide practical and effective options for dairy farmers seeking to mitigate emissions from their future herds. Francisco Peñagaricano. Courtesy photo. Peñagaricano is leading one of the research projects, awarded by the Greener Cattle Initiative (GCI) in 2023, to identify commercially feasible practices farmers can use to lower enteric methane emissions. Here, Peñagaricano discusses the research project and explains how it could benefit U.S. dairy farmers and have a positive impact around the world. Q. What is the aim of your research? The primary goal of this research is to ...

Source: Progressivedairy