The opportunity
to breed more climate friendly cows is one step closer for
New Zealand dairy farmers after a Waikato trial finds a
possible link between a bulls’ genetics and the amount of
methane they produce.
The pilot trial, by artificial
breeding companies LIC and CRV with funding from the New
Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre,
measured feed intake and methane emissions – in the form
of burps – from 20 young bulls destined to father the next
generation of New Zealand’s dairy cows.
LIC Chief
Scientist Richard Spelman says results from the pilot trial
are promising.
“Methane production primarily relates
Community Scoop » Bull Burps Could Hold Answer To Breed Climate Friendly Cows scoop.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scoop.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Scientists are tracking cows methane emissions. They want to see if there are any advantages to breeding cattle that have lower emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas.
Capturing bulls breath could help breed lower-methane cows stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.