New Nordic Methane Index to reduce cow emissions by 20%

Breeding cows that permanently emit less methane is now a reality thanks to the brand-new Nordic Methane Index developed by VikingGenetics.

VikingGenetics, in collaboration with SEGES Innovation, Aarhus University, and Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation, is proud to announce the launch of the Nordic Methane Index with the release of the breeding values for May 2025.

This groundbreaking development marks a significant milestone in the dairy industry’s efforts to breed cows that naturally emit less methane. The new index will contribute to more sustainable and future-friendly dairy farming.

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%.

Starting from the May 2025 proof run, methane breeding values will be calculated for all VikingHolstein bulls born after 2008. The methane indices for VikingJersey and VikingRed animals will be released in 2026.

Reliable data from commercial herds

Identifying cows genetically predisposed to emitting less methane required significant research in a field where no data were previously available. The Methane Index results from extensive research by, among other research projects, the Danish ONIMIT project sponsored by VikingGenetics, GUDP and Mælkeafgiftsfonden.

The researchers behind ONIMIT utilised methane sniffers to take thousands of measurements from the same cows over time, exchanging methane data with other countries to enhance the accuracy of their findings. This resulted in one of the world's first breeding values based on direct measurements of methane concentration.

“Sniffer technology allows us, and dairy farmers, to measure cows’ methane output with low-cost tools that can be installed on a large scale in commercial herds without disturbing the cows’ routine,” says Helen Schneider, PhD, Postdoc at Aarhus University’s Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, one of the developers of the Nordic Methane Index.

“In the long term, this will enable the dairy industry to capitalise on genetics to significantly mitigate the environmental footprint of dairy cattle, without harming milk production,” she adds.

A permanent, significant effect

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.

Jan Lassen, PhD, Senior Project Manager at VikingGenetics, explains, "The Methane Index does not mean that a cow will stop producing methane from 2026; it’s a long-term solution. With the new index, by 2035 – 2040, we'll achieve the same effect we get by adding Bovaer now, but the changes in cows will be forever."

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.

Feed efficiency also reduces methane

In addition to the Nordic Methane Index, Nordic breeders also use feed efficiency, through the Saved Feed Index, to indicate which bulls they should use to breed more sustainable cows.

Research indicates that up to 12% of a cow's energy is spent producing methane, and, due to the nature of cows’ rumen, feed intake is a considerable part of this. This means that the better your cows’ feed efficiency and optimised diet are, the less methane your herd will emit.

With these two indices in their breeding arsenal, farmers will now have two outstanding tools available to help them facilitate more efficient, profitable, and sustainable dairy production.

Meet the power of feed efficiency

Breeding for efficient, sustainable dairy farming

Methane emissions from cows are one of the most pressing challenges for dairy farming’s green transition. Publishing the Methane Index is another step for breeders toward this goal.

However, before breed associations can incorporate methane reduction into their goals, policymakers must clarify the financial incentives to facilitate a smooth incorporation into the breeding goal. Governments must decide whether breeding for less methane should be part of farmers’ climate accounts or if they should receive subsidies toward it.

At VikingGenetics, we are committed to supporting dairy farmers in integrating methane reduction into their breeding goals, without affecting production and other traits. This will make it a natural part of their efforts to breed more efficient, profitable, and sustainable dairy cows.

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