Meet Hilda the calf who is genetically modified to BURP and FART less
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Hilda the calf may look like any other cow in the herd - but her genes have been modified to stop the release of harmful greenhouse gases when burping and breaking wind. Described as a 'hugely significant' moment for the UK dairy industry, Hilda was born using IVF to produce a much greener type of cattle which emit less methnane.
![[Hilda was born using IVF to produce a much greener type of cattle which emit less methnane]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/20/93654761-0-image-a-2_1735763623822.jpg)
Cows are notoriously gassy, and the methane produced through their burps warms the atmosphere 28 times more than carbon dioxide. As cattle produce around 5 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions - researchers have been racing to come up with ways to reduce their impact.
![[Hilda is part of the Dumfries-based Langhill herd which has been studied for more than half a century]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/20/93654733-0-image-a-3_1735763631478.jpg)
The quest for cattle which produce less gas can now be sped up as using IVF meant Hilda arrived eight months earlier than previously possible using conventional breeding techniques. Hilda is part of the Dumfries-based Langhill herd which has been studied for more than half a century.
![[To create Hilda, eggs were taken from Hilda's mother and fertilised with sperm were taken from specially selected bulls]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/20/93654729-0-image-a-4_1735763634886.jpg)
The Cool Cows project, of which Hilda is a part, involves genetic selection of cattle who produce less methane. To create Hilda, eggs were taken from Hilda's mother and fertilised with sperm were taken from specially selected bulls. Hilda the calf may look like any other cow in the herd - but her genes have been modified to stop the release of harmful greenhouse gases when burping and breaking wind.
Hilda was born using IVF to produce a much greener type of cattle which emit less methnane. The embryo was produced in the laboratory and replaced in Hilda's mother. Professor Richard Dewhurst, from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), which is one of the partners in the project, said: 'With global consumption of dairy produce continuing to grow, breeding livestock for sustainability is extremely important.
