A pioneering breeding program in Scotland is transforming the way we view livestock production and its environmental impact. The initiative, led by scientists at Scotland’s Rural College, promises to reduce methane emissions from cattle by up to 40% over 20 years.
Methane, a gas with a global warming potential 80 times greater than carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after being released, is one of the main causes of global warming. Reducing these emissions can have rapid and significant effects in combating climate change.
The production of methane in ruminants, such as cows and sheep, results from the digestion of pasture by microorganisms present in the digestive system. The amount of gas released varies depending on the microbes present, influenced by inherited genetic factors. And this was the starting point for Scotland’s Rural College. Professor Mike Coffey began the experiment and the results are promising. Calves born from this program already produce 2% less methane than their parents.
“It is permanent and cumulative. When we have an animal that produces less methane, it produces less for its entire life. By crossing it with a bull that also produces less methane, the descendants produce even less. And with successive crossings, in 20 years, we will be able to reduce methane emissions from cattle by 40%.”
The company Semex has developed a DNA test capable of predicting which animals produce less methane, allowing scientists to select the best pairs for reproduction. In vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques are used to generate up to six calves per year in surrogate mothers, speeding up the process without resorting to genetic modification.
Despite advances, experts warn that this solution is not sufficient on its own. Emma Garnett, a researcher at the University of Oxford, recognizes the value of the initiative, but argues that the key remains reducing the number of livestock and transitioning to more plant-based diets.
“Animals continue to produce large amounts of manure which also release greenhouse gases. Yes, we must make the system more efficient, but that cannot be an excuse for not changing our eating habits.”
Agriculture currently accounts for around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, with the country’s nine million cows and calves contributing significantly to this figure. The British National Farmers’ Union has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, and programs such as “Cool Cows” can be key to this path.
