IVF Calf Born to Reduce Methane Emissions in Dairy Farming
The birth of Hilda, an IVF calf in Scotland, marks a breakthrough in breeding low-methane dairy cows, accelerating efforts to make farming more sustainable.
- Hilda, the first calf born via IVF in the Langhill herd, has been genetically bred to emit less methane, a potent greenhouse gas linked to climate change.
- The IVF technique shortens the breeding cycle, doubling the rate of genetic progress toward methane-efficient cattle compared to traditional methods.
- Methane, primarily released through cattle burps and manure, is 84 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years and accounts for a significant share of global agricultural emissions.
- The Cool Cows project, supported by UK and Canadian researchers, aims to create a nucleus of low-methane herds, though current costs make widespread adoption challenging.
- While the innovation could reduce emissions by up to 30% by 2050, experts stress that dietary shifts and other measures are also critical to meeting global climate goals.
Deutsche Welle 
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