How to Purchase Methane Efficiency and Feed Efficiency Evaluations?

In April 2023, Lactanet launched genetic evaluations for Methane Efficiency in the Holstein breed, making Canada the only country in the world to offer both Methane Efficiency and Feed Efficiency genetic evaluations.

The new Methane Efficiency evaluations allow farmers to select for animals that emit less methane without impacting production levels, improving the sustainability of their herd. First launched in April 2021, Feed Efficiency evaluations allow farmers to improve the efficiency and productivity of their herd by selecting animals that better convert the feed they consume into Milk production. 

Since April 2021, Lactanet has been automatically publishing Feed Efficiency evaluations for all Holstein females that are part of the herd inventory for customers enrolled on its various milk recording services, including eDHI. This will also be the case for Methane Efficiency evaluations. For all other Holstein heifers and cows born in Canada or that are Canadian owned, Feed Efficiency evaluations have been available for purchase. 

Effective the April 2023 genetic evaluation release, Methane Efficiency and Feed Efficiency evaluations are bundled for purchasing
as “Sustainability Traits”
. Evaluations for these two sustainability traits for all other Holstein heifers and cows born in Canada, or Canadian owned, are available for purchase at a bundled cost of $8 per animal. For females owned by a breeder prefix associated with a herd that routinely type classifies a credit of $2 per animal will automatically be applied at the time of purchase. A single purchase is required per animal for it to continually receive an official Feed Efficiency and Methane Efficiency evaluation going forward. All previous Feed Efficiency purchases will automatically receive Methane Efficiency.

Click below to learn more about the fee structure and the steps to purchasing sustainability trait genetic evaluations.

Industry Benefit

Offering Methane Efficiency and Feed Efficiency evaluations is one component of the portfolio of services that Lactanet is offering to support the environmental sustainability of the dairy sector.  It is therefore important to measure, monitor and genetically select for improved methane efficiency and feed efficiency in dairy herds across Canada.  While customers enrolled on milk recording services benefit from having these genetic evaluations freely available to them, this purchase option allows all Canadian herd owners to benefit from these novel tools.

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By Brian Van Doormaal
Brian has dedicated his professional career of nearly 37 years involved in the genetic improvement of dairy cattle in Canada. He is well-known for his numerous extension articles and public speaking engagements in both official languages.
Lactanet automatically publishes the Methane Efficiency and Feed Efficiency evaluations for all Holstein females that are part of the herd inventory for customers enrolled on its various milk recording services.