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Breeding for reduced methane emissions in livestock
The agriculture policies outlined in the Update to the Climate Change Plan (CCP) provide a route map for agricultural transformation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They take a co-development approach and work with stakeholders and farmer-led groups to secure increased uptake of low-emission farming measures through new schemes and approaches.
This project examined the potential reductions in livestock methane emissions through breeding, and the policy levers that could motivate these changes.
Findings
- Breeding could reduce methane emissions from the digestive process in livestock by up to 9.5% by 2045.
- Actions and behaviour changes will be required of Government policymakers, pre- and post-farm gate actors and farmers, with key barriers being lack of knowledge and perceived cost.
- Scotland has a well-developed research base around breeding livestock for reduced emissions, placing it in good stead to develop further work in this area.
- Relevant technologies that could be mainstream in Scotland by 2030 include a national breeding programme, sexed semen and the breeding potential of an animal for a specific trait.
- There are very few instances of methane detection methods being used on farm in the UK. The use of proxies such as mid-infrared spectra in milk could be encouraged to determine methane emissions.
- There are many reproductive technologies already in use, particularly in the dairy industry. The report estimates these to be mainstream across the cattle sector by 2045, with lower uptake in the sheep sector due to artificial insemination being a complex procedure.
For further details, please read the report.
If you require the report in an alternative format, such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.