Reduce the carbon footprint of your dairy

Breeding cows that permanently emit less methane is now a reality thanks to the Nordic Methane Index.

Methane emissions from cows are one of the most pressing challenges for dairy farming’s green transition.

Scientific studies have shown that 20% of a cow's methane production can be attributed to her genetics. This means that by selecting and breeding cows with favourable genetic traits, cattle’s methane emissions can be reduced by 20%.

Methane breeding values have been available for VikingHolstein bulls since the May 2025 proof run, and with the May 2026 release, the Methane Index is also available for VikingRed and VikingJersey bulls. 

Breeding values for the Methane Index, along with all other traits in the Nordic Total Merit Index (NTM), are calculated by the Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation (NAV), an independent organization that ensures objective, reliable, and scientifically based evaluations. NAV’s mission is to carry out joint breeding value evaluations for both dairy and beef cattle across Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, supporting a unified Nordic approach to genetic improvement.

Established in 2002, NAV has continuously developed and refined its joint evaluation system to provide breeders and farmers with accurate tools for sustainable and profitable breeding decisions. NAV is owned by the member organizations Landbrug & Fødevarer, Faba, and Växa Sverige. As an independent evaluation body, NAV guarantees a high level of objectivity and reliability in Nordic cattle genetic evaluations and indices.

The Nordic Methane Index is based on pioneering work in genetic research into methane. Nordic scientists were among the first to measure cattle emissions and link them to genetics, collecting over 16,000 measurements from individual cows. 

While feed additives like Bovaer have a noticeable effect on cows’ emissions, the effect is only temporary. On the other hand, the effect of breeding is permanent and increases with every generation.

Advanced methods were developed to account for variations in methane production over time, and future studies will evaluate how cows' milk and rumen microbiome data can support the sniffer results.