The environmental impact of cattle is frequently challenged, particularly with regard to methane production, yet significant variations in carbon emissions (per unit of milk or meat) exist between countries, farming systems, herds and individual animals. This project utilises the latest technology to determine and demonstrate the best model in breeding cattle for improved sustainability, establishing a line of highly methane-efficient animals for dissemination of these hugely important genetics throughout the industry, and showing the importance of cattle breeding as an integral part of farming strategy as we look to achieve net zero by 2050 and beyond whilst ensuring and improving health, welfare and food security.

This project will apply advanced breeding technologies to produce (both in-vivo and in-vitro) pre-implantation bovine embryos from which biopsies will be taken to interrogate their genomic makeup using single nucleotide polymorphism arrays (SNP chips). It is currently possible to screen dairy and beef cattle genomically, but responses to selection are impeded by waiting for the gestation of the calf on which genomic selection is performed. The screening of bovine embryos will optimise the delivery and amplification of superior genetics by advancing the time of selection and reducing “wastage” of unwanted calves. This project will therefore combine advanced embryo breeding technologies with state-of-the-art genomic screening (so called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis), and karyomapping (combining parental DNA information with the offspring's genomic information to provide more genetic detail). The project will develop strategies for optimal bovine embryo biopsy, cryopreservation and genomic screening of small cell numbers. It will provide proof of principle that the new technologies can be used to deliver superior genetics more efficiently to the breeding herd.