Breeding Matters - Protecting the environment – surely it’s in our DNA?
Date Posted: 17th February 2026
Debbie McConnell, Principal Group Scientist, AI Services
With N.I. agriculture currently challenged to achieve net zero by 2050, a 16% reduction in ammonia emissions by 2030, and tackle a 6000t per annum phosphorus surplus, one could feel a bit overwhelmed. And as we see a range of new research initiatives being developed such as feed additives and manure treatments, and new potential policy measures be debated, it seems that the most impactful mitigation measure of all - genetic gain - is often overlooked.
Since 2000, advancement in genetics has delivered a 25% reduction in the carbon footprint of UK milk produced, a feat unachievable by any other management intervention. This has been driven by the creation of more genetically efficient cows, with greater production potential, lower feed requirements, greater longevity and improved animal health and fertility. But we’re only scratching the surface of what can be achieved.
Recent research has shown that an animal’s genetic make-up plays a key role in regulating methane output, controlling urinary nitrogen levels and even dictating phosphorus excretion rates, with genomic markers (sections of an animal’s DNA) identified for each of these. Early studies have shown significant gains when selecting animals which display these beneficial genetic traits.
With heritability estimates of 18-24% for methane emissions and 22% for milk urea nitrogen (a proxy for urine-N excretion rates), significant gains in nutrient efficiency use can be made within a few generations through corrective genetic selection. And that is where genetics differs in comparison to some mitigation measures, in that it is permanent and cumulative. In contrast to for example, feed additives, whereby their impact will stop if inclusion of the additive ceases, the breeding decisions we make today still impact our herd in 10 years’ time and can be built on for future generations.
It is cost effective; less than 2% of the total spend on a cow over her lifetime is spent on her genetic make-up, yet that 2% can be responsible for up to 50% of her profitability on farm and indeed her environmental footprint.
So how do we capitalise on this permanent wealth? At farm level we have opportunity to lean into our genetic selection, recording genetic information, striving for more efficient cows and exploring opportunities to create low emitting animals such as using the EnviroCow genetic index. At industry and policy levels, a commitment to invest in genetic research is a must.
We are a closely connected sector, but with minimal funding over the past three decades directed towards genetics, we need to fast track our investment in this area to fully capitalise on the power of DNA. If we are serious about meeting our environmental targets, can we really achieve it any other way?