This study by the Net-Zero Dairy Genome Project (NDGP) team explored how adding a methane-specific trait to dairy cattle selection indexes can help meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers assessed the potential environmental benefits and farm-level profitability impacts of this approach within the Canadian context.
Keywords
- Dairy Cattle
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
- Methane (CH4)
- Selective breeding (Selection)
Research Highlights
- Selective dairy cattle breeding can lower GHG emissions with minimal added cost and labour for farmers
- GHG and methane traits can be built into breeding indexes that balance climate impact with profitability
- Canada is the first country to release a methane breeding value and a GHG index that includes methane traits
- Including methane traits matters: Emissions are further reduced by 30kg CO2 equivalents yearly
Editorial Reflections
This study shows how genetic tools are evolving to address real-world sustainability challenges in dairy cattle farming. It also illustrates a pivotal shift in breeding philosophy, where environmental traits are no longer peripheral considerations but central drivers of innovation and industry change.
The Net-Zero Dairy Genome Project (NDGP) aims to create a roadmap and toolbox to reduce GHG emissions in the Canadian dairy industry by 55%, focusing on improving efficiency and animal welfare in dairy production. Contributing authors from the team are (in alphabetical order):
Curious about Team Net-Zero Dairy Genome Project (NDGP)’s ongoing work? Visit ndgp.ca to learn more.
Food for Thought: Read the full article here. Was it surprising that adding methane traits to the selection index led to such significant emissions reductions? Why or why not?
References
Richardson, C., Amer, P., Post, M., Oliveria, T., Grant, K., Crowley, J., Quinton, C., Miglior, F., Fleming, A., Baes, C. F., & Malchiodi, F. (2025). Breeding for sustainability: Development of an index to reduce greenhouse gas in dairy cattle. Animal, 19(Supplement 2), 101491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2025.101491
