The cow of the future has already been born – but will it be enough?

Methane in livestock: Is genetic improvement the key or just part of the solution?

Livestock farming is at the center of one of the planet's greatest environmental challenges: methane (CH₄) emissions. This gas, 28 times more potent than CO₂ in global warming, puts the livestock sector under increasing pressure to reduce its climate footprint.

In Brazil, cattle enteric fermentation accounts for 91.6% of agricultural methane emissions , totaling 13.32 million tons of CH₄ emitted per year[1] . Globally, livestock farming accounts for approximately 32% of anthropogenic methane emissions[2] . Faced with this scenario, science is seeking innovative solutions - genetic improvement is one of the most promising.

In Scotland, a calf named Hilda was born as a milestone in this strategy: the result of in vitro fertilization and genetic selection, she is part of an experiment that promises to reduce bovine emissions by 30% over the next 20 years .[3] But, given the climate emergency, is this an effective and viable solution?

Genetic improvement: A breakthrough or a piece of the puzzle?

The central idea of genetic improvement in livestock farming is to select animals that convert feed more efficiently and, consequently, emit less methane. Professor Mike Coffey of Scotland's Rural College [4] explains that traditional breeding programs have already been reducing cattle emissions by about 1% per year , and that advanced techniques can accelerate this rate to 1.5% per year .

This means that, over two decades, a 30% reduction in enteric methane emissions can be achieved. But there are critical issues that need to be considered:

• Are the numbers underestimated?

  • Studies by Embrapa Gado de Leite[5] indicate that genetic improvement programs have already reduced the intensity of enteric methane emissions by up to 38% in some dairy cattle improvement programs over four decades.

  • This suggests that the reduction projections are close to those reported by Embrapa and that there is potential to increase the reduction with a focus on programs aimed at reducing emissions.

• Time in favor of making it happen!

  • The IPCC warns [6] that cutting methane emissions needs to be accelerated by 2030 to contain the advance of global warming.

  • Gradual reductions of 1.5% per year may be insufficient to meet global targets [6] , especially considering that demand for meat and dairy continues to grow.

• Economic viability: A revolution for the few?

  • The cost of producing a genetically selected cow like Hilda was twice the animal's economic value . The use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) speeds up the selection process by allowing both the mother and father to be chosen, ensuring greater control over the desired genetic characteristics.

  • However, genetic improvement does not depend exclusively on IVF . Artificial insemination (AI), using semen from sires genetically selected for desired traits, already enables significant advances in reducing emissions without such high costs. Furthermore, genomic evaluation of breeding stock allows for the identification of females with the greatest genetic potential, increasing selection efficiency without the need for IVF.

  • Small and medium-sized producers may struggle to adopt more advanced breeding technologies, but the use of AI and genomic evaluation make genetic improvement more accessible . To ensure widespread adoption of these strategies, public policies and financial incentives remain essential to enable large-scale sustainable livestock farming.

  • In a country like Brazil, where the average production per animal is low, the use of improved genetics for milk production, already available on the market, has great potential for an enteric methane dilution effect, even higher than that promised by Scottish researchers of 1.5% per year (CONGIO et al 2020).[new 7]

• The risks of exclusive genetic selection for lower methane emissions

  • Impact on production efficiency: Cattle should be selected for lower methane emissions with caution, as this trait may be linked to changes in the ruminal microbiota and energy metabolism. Studies indicate that some breeds with low methane production may have lower feed efficiency , impacting weight gain and nutrient conversion [8] .

  • Genetic balance: Methane production is a polygenic trait , controlled by multiple genes and environmental interactions. Focusing exclusively on methane reduction may compromise other essential attributes , such as fertility, longevity, and disease resistance. [9]

  • Continuous monitoring: Since genetic selection for lower methane emissions is still in its development phase, rigorous monitoring is essential to ensure that environmental advances do not result in production losses . Tools such as genomic evaluation of breeding stock and multifactorial performance analysis are essential to maintaining a balance between sustainability and productivity.

Is genetic improvement the best strategy?

While genetic improvement plays a crucial role, experts emphasize that it cannot act in isolation . Other solutions [10] have demonstrated immediate impact on reducing emissions:

• Food additives: The use of the compound 3-NOP (3-nitrooxypropanol) has been shown to reduce enteric methane emissions by 23% to 37% , depending on the diet and formulation used [10,11] .

• Use of red algae: Supplementation with the macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis can reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 80% , due to the presence of bioactive compounds that inhibit the activity of methanogenic microorganisms in the rumen, but most algae-based products are still under development.

• Increased production efficiency: Improvements in nutrition and feed management can optimize feed digestibility and feed conversion, reducing the intensity of methane emissions per liter of milk produced.

These are just some of the strategies detailed in the eBook 'Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Livestock Farming' , which presents a scientific approach to mitigating methane emissions in dairy production. The material explores different strategies, including nutrition, management, genetic improvement, and new technologies, in addition to gathering data on the impact and feasibility of these solutions. To access the full content, download the free eBook at the link: www.esgpec.com.br/ebook-metano .

Conclusion: a necessary step, but not the final solution

Genetic improvement offers a promising path to reducing methane emissions, but it alone will not be enough .

Science has already shown that multiple combined approaches can accelerate the reduction of livestock's climate impact without compromising productivity. For this to happen, investment, public policies, and an integrated , balanced, and biodiverse approach will be essential.

The cow of the future may already be born – but sustainable livestock farming will depend on much more than just genetics.

References and Notes:

[1] Methane emissions from Brazilian livestock farming: According to the SEEG report "Challenges and Opportunities for Reducing Methane Emissions," livestock farming in Brazil is responsible for 91.6% of emissions from the agricultural sector, totaling 13.32 million tons of CH₄, mainly due to enteric fermentation of cattle. Source: SEEG - SEEG Methane Report

[2] Global methane emissions from livestock: According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), emissions from animals, including manure and gastrointestinal releases, account for about 32% of anthropogenic methane emissions. Source: UNEP - Methane Emissions and Climate Change

[3] In Vitro Fertilized Cow in Scotland and Methane Reduction: Report on the birth of the calf Hilda in Scotland, the result of in vitro fertilization and genetic improvement to reduce methane emissions. The study suggests that this approach could reduce emissions by up to 30% over the next 20 years. Source: EDairy News Brasil - In Vitro Fertilized Cow in Scotland Emits Less Methane

[4] Professor Mike Coffey and Genetic Improvement: Professor Mike Coffey of Scotland's Rural College is recognized for his research in dairy cattle genetic improvement and identifying breeding objectives that meet multiple stakeholders. While he has contributed significantly to research in genetic improvement and methane emissions reduction, the specific annual reduction percentages can vary depending on several factors, including the animal population studied, the breeding techniques applied, and environmental conditions. Source: Scotland's Rural College

[5] Milk carbon footprint and genetic improvement: Study featured in Embrapa Dairy Cattle's 2023 Milk Yearbook, prepared by experts Luiz Gustavo Ribeiro Pereira, Thierry Tomich, and Vanessa Romário de Paula. Source: Embrapa - Brazilian Livestock and Methane Reduction

[6] IPCC Report on Methane and Climate Change: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the need to rapidly reduce methane emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C. According to the IPCC Working Group III report, published in 2022, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 and be reduced by 43% by 2030. Specifically, methane emissions need to be reduced by about a third in that same period. Furthermore, the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C highlights that to avoid exceeding this limit, global greenhouse gas emissions must decrease by approximately 45% from 2010 levels by 2030. This includes significant reductions in methane emissions. Sources: Summary for Policymakers - IPCC Report 1.5°C and IPCC AR6 WGIII Press Release

[7] Genetic Improvement and Reducing the Carbon Footprint in Livestock : The article "Brazil's Effort to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Livestock ," published in Pesquisa FAPESP magazine , highlights how increasing animal productivity can reduce the intensity of enteric methane emissions. The text addresses the role of genetic improvement in dairy farming as a strategy to mitigate emissions by diluting the methane per liter of milk produced. This approach reinforces that, in countries like Brazil, where average productivity per animal is still low, the adoption of improved genetics can surpass the 1.5% annual reduction rate predicted by Scottish researchers. Source : Pesquisa FAPESP magazine .

[8] Genetic and Genomic Tools for Evaluating Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle: Embrapa Pecuária Sul developed the Gas Emission Test (PEG) to identify breeders that combine lower methane emissions with feed efficiency, recognizing the importance of balancing these characteristics to avoid compromises in productivity. Source: Document 361 - Embrapa Pecuária Sul - Document 361

[9] Genetic Balance and Selection for Low Methane Emissions: Methane production is a polygenic trait, controlled by multiple genes and environmental interactions. Studies indicate that genetic selection focused exclusively on lower methane emissions can compromise essential traits such as fertility, longevity, and disease resistance. Therefore, it is recommended that genetic selection be balanced and evaluated alongside other productive traits. Source : CABI Digital Library - Genetic Tools and Sustainability

[10] Impact of 3-NOP on Methane Reduction and its Variations : The study, published in the journal Microbiome , delves into the biochemical mechanisms that lead to the reduction of methane emissions in dairy farming through the use of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). In addition to exploring changes in the microbial gene expression profile in the rumen of cows, the work highlights variations in methane reductions obtained in different studies, citing values ranging from 26 to 30% and 23 to 37% , depending on the diet and experimental conditions. This variability reinforces the need for continuous evaluation to optimize the effectiveness of 3-NOP in different production contexts. Source : Microbiome - The effect of 3-nitrooxypropanol, a potent methane inhibitor, on ruminal microbial gene expression profiles in dairy cows

[11] Strategies for Reducing Methane Emissions in Milk Production: The eBook "Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Livestock Farming" presents a detailed approach to mitigating methane emissions, including the use of feed additives such as 3-NOP, supplementation with Asparagopsis taxiformis (up to 80% reduction), and much more. In addition to these topics, the material provides comprehensive and in-depth references on the subject. Source : ESGpec - Download the eBook here