Breeding could cut livestock emissions

Improving breeding of farm animals will help cut livestock’s 18% contribution to total green house gas (GHG) emissions with pig and poultry sectors leading the way, say Government researchers.

Huw Jones of the Genesis Faraday organisation said in the past 20 years to 2006 pig breeding had cut GHG emissions for the species by 15% and poultry by 20% in round figures. “In the next 15 years further improvement in feed efficiency and growth rate will cut emissions further.”

Beef and sheep sectors still lagged behind due to longer breeding cycles and a less defined breeding structures, he addded.