In the quest for a more sustainable future, Canadian dairy farmer Ben Loewith is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to reduce the environmental impact of his farm. Loewith, a third-generation farmer from Lynden, Ontario, has taken the initiative to breed his calves with the goal of minimizing their methane emissions.
By using specially selected bull semen with a low-methane genetic trait, Loewith believes that he can achieve a win-win situation by reducing methane emissions without compromising other desirable traits in his cows.
The availability of commercially viable genetics that promote lower methane emissions in dairy cattle has the potential to significantly reduce one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Burps, specifically those of cattle, are responsible for a substantial amount of methane released into the atmosphere. Semex, the genetics company that provided Loewith with the low-methane semen, claims that the adoption of this trait could lead to a 1.5% annual reduction in methane emissions from Canada’s dairy herd, with the potential to reach as much as 20%-30% by 2050.
The market for this innovation is global, with Semex already marketing the low-methane semen in 80 countries. Early sales have been made to farms in Britain, as well as dairy establishments in the US and Slovakia. If this breeding approach is widely implemented, it could have a transformative impact on global cattle emissions, according to Frank Mitloehner, a professor of animal science at the University of California Davis.
While some individuals within the dairy industry have reservations about low-methane breeding due to potential digestion problems in cattle, the significance of reducing emissions from livestock is undeniable. Livestock are responsible for 14.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with methane being the second-most significant contributor after carbon dioxide.
Although alternatives exist, such as feeding additives to cattle to decrease methane production, these measures are temporary and not approved for use in the United States. Therefore, low-methane breeding offers a more sustainable and permanent solution. This innovative breeding material is the result of a collaboration between Semex and Lactanet, Canada’s milk recording agency, based on extensive research conducted by Canadian scientists.
Lactanet developed the world’s first national genomic methane evaluation, which evaluates methane levels in Holstein cows and heifers on 6,000 farms, representing nearly 60% of Canada’s dairy farms. This evaluation involved capturing cattle exhalations to measure methane levels, comparing the data with genetic information and milk samples. Christine Baes, a professor of animal biosciences at the University of Guelph, who contributed to the project, highlighted the potential for continuously reducing methane emissions through the selection of the low-methane trait in successive generations of dairy cattle.
Currently, Semex does not charge extra for the low-methane trait, although the company’s Vice President of Research and Innovation, Michael Lohuis, expects sales to remain slow until financial incentives are established. While the Canadian government does not currently offer incentives for low-methane cattle breeding, efforts are underway to introduce offset credits for reducing methane emissions through improved manure management.
In addition to these developments, some countries and food companies are already taking steps to encourage farmers to transition to lower-emitting cattle. New Zealand, for example, plans to implement a tax on methane emissions from cattle starting in 2025. Nestle and Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King, are also addressing methane emissions by altering cattle feed in their supply chains. Frank Mitloehner anticipates that companies will eventually recognize the value of low-methane breeding as well.
While there may be concerns about potential digestive issues resulting from reduced methane emissions in cattle, Loewith and other dairy experts remain optimistic and believe that through persistent efforts and selective breeding, the impact of these innovations will become increasingly significant.
Loewith eagerly awaits the outcome of his breeding decisions, recognizing the potential long-term benefits that this sustainable approach can bring to his farm and the environment at large.