New research has confirmed bulls’ genetics play a role in how much methane they emit, highlighting the potential for farmers to breed low methane-emitting cows in the future. The welcome news comes following the first year of a research programme run by major New Zealand artificial breeding companies LIC and CRV.
“Because I’ve been in farming most of my life, I can’t go onto a farm and simply sell a product. I’m not wired that way. When I’m talking with a farmer about genetic improvement, all I want to do is help make their life better.”
Some dairy farmers could be missing out on up to 160kgMS of production because they are not herd testing. While the number of cows being herd tested jumped by 1.2 per cent last season¹, many farmers may still not realise its value. CRV Herd Testing Manager Mark Redgate wants to change that.