Direct and indirect traits for feed efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions for breeding and herd management

In the project, strategies for breeding for energy efficiency and reduction of methane emissions for the Austrian cattle population are researched and solutions are developed. Measurements of methane emissions are carried out in experimental and practical farms with the GreenFeed system. In addition, further phenotypic traits will be collected and existing data (cattle data network) will be used. The genetic potential of the direct trait methane and CO2 emission and the genetic correlations to health and other traits in the overall breeding value, as well as the factors influencing the methane emission of the animals, will be analysed. This data base will also be used to develop and validate MIR equations. The potential of the indirect trait MIR methane is analysed, indirect traits for energy efficiency are developed. MIR estimators for energy balance will be derived and validated using data from research stations. Their potential for improving energy efficiency will be investigated in conjunction with other traits. Genetic relationships between energy efficiency and methane or CO2 emissions will be analysed. The potential of using indirect traits for energy efficiency and methane emissions for wider use in breeding will be explored and a recommendation for consideration in the breeding objective or programme will be derived. Methane emissions are included in assessments of the climate impact of relevant dairy and beef production systems in Austria.