Researchers work to reduce emissions in dairy industry

Editor's note: China Daily is publishing a series illustrating the country's efforts to achieve its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. LIAN ZHEN/XINHUA With China's appetite for milk showing no signs of turning sour, a team of scientists has embarked on a groundbreaking mission in the Inner Mongolian autonomous region to create low-methane-emitting dairy cows. Launched last year by Sk.xing, the largest cow breeding enterprise in China, the ambitious project aims to identify genes that contribute to high milk production, longevity and low emissions of methane, according to the company, headquartered in Inner Mongolia's capital Hohhot. Selecting cows with both high milk production and longevity while maintaining low methane emissions takes an additional one to two years. Scientists will meticulously monitor the herds' methane emissions, milk production and other vital parameters, to build a comprehensive database that confirms the low-methane status of these chosen cows.