The calf, named Hilda, is part of a project called ‘Cool Cows’ that aims to breed cattle that produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Hilda is the first cow in the Dumfries-based Langhill herd being used in the project to be born using IVF.
The technique, which involved Hilda’s mother’s eggs being fertilized in a lab, meant the next generation of the herd arrived eight months earlier than was possible. The process will now be repeated, and scientists predict this will double the rate of “genetic gain” in the herd. It will dramatically speed up the process of selecting and breeding more “methane-efficient” animals.
Farming produces 12pc of UK’s greenhouse gases: Methane is an 84 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Although it only persists in the atmosphere for 20 years, legally binding deadlines to cut the UK’s emissions to net zero by 2050 have made it a target for policymakers.
Agriculture accounts for about 12 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, the vast majority of it from livestock methane expelled in belches and flatulence. Target for agriculture in England and Wales is set to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. In Scotland, the net zero target is 2045.
The UK has also signed up to a Global Methane Pledge to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas 30 per cent by 2030. But the Climate Change Committee, the Government’s independent advisers, have warned progress in reducing emissions in agriculture has been slow and needs “substantial acceleration”.
Hilda’s successful birth has been hailed as a ‘hugely significant moment for the UK dairy industry’ in producing more methane-efficient livestock. Prof Richard Dewhurst, of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), which is one of the partners in the project, shares: “With global consumption of dairy produce continuing to grow, breeding livestock for sustainability is extremely important.
“The birth of Hilda is potentially a hugely significant moment for the UK dairy industry. We will use a new genomic assessment alongside existing production and environmental efficiency indices to select elite, methane-efficient for breeding. “The Cool Cows project will produce a greater number of offspring from these donors, rapidly establishing a nucleus of highly methane-efficient calves.”
The herd, which was established in the early 1970s, is the focus of the Langhill breeding study, the world’s longest-running livestock genetics project. It has been used in several studies into the greenhouse gas emissions from dairy production, including the impact of different diets, and of various fertilizers on grasslands.
Another partner in the project shares: “Genetic improvement in methane efficiency is going to be key to continuing to provide nutritious food to the public, while controlling the impact of methane emissions on the environment in the future.”
Stuart Martin, of Digital Dairy Chain, which funded the project, said: “We are very pleased to have supported this groundbreaking project. With the environmental impact of farming being a critical global issue, projects that look for innovative solutions to mitigate this impact are vital to the industry. The birth of the first Cool Cows calf marks a significant milestone, promising significant results for the future of sustainable farming.”
Last year, SRUC began a project to trap excess methane emissions from cows, with air conditioning units being used in sheds to pump in fresh air and vents used to extract the unwanted gases.
British supermarkets, including Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Morrisons, have also announced a scheme which would involve cattle being fed seaweed in the hope of lowering their emissions.
‘Cool Cows’ project aims to establish a hub of highly methane-efficient calves with Hilda as their first eco-friendly calf. Over the past 52 years, the studies are aimed at improving cattle health and productivity, and currently focusing on breeding cows with genetic traits that results in lower methane emission.
When one swallows food, water or saliva, small amounts of air is also swallowed. This collects in the digestive system. The body needs to get rid of the build-up by farting or burping. Gases can also build up when one digests food.The calf, named Hilda is aiming to breed cattle that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Born in Scotland, Hilda is a calf that looks like other calves but represents a significant advancement in the dairy industry’s efforts to combat climate change and achieve net zero emissions. Hilda has been introduced to the world as a fart-free cow.
A single cow produces around 154 to 264 pounds of methane gas every year. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes majorly to global warming as it has been found to be 80 times more harmful for the environment than carbon dioxide for over 20 years. Though it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter period than carbon dioxide, its impact on climate change remains notable. Methane gas along with global warming serves as a threat for human health, including respiratory issues and can also reduce crop yields.
Researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) keeping the issue in mind focused on creating a genetic solution to reduce these emissions. Scientists have named this cow’s calf Hilda (Hilda), which looks like any other cow in the herd, but her genes have been modified in such a way that she can stop herself from belching. Hilda was born through IVF technology, which produces greener breeds of cattle that emit less methane.
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