Sustainability & efficiency

Greenhouse gas emissions of Holstein cows compared with Holstein, Jersey, Montbéliarde, Normande, and Viking Red crossbred cows

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen emissions of Holstein (HO) and crossbred cows. Holstein and crossbred dairy cow data were from two herds, a grazing and a low-input conventional that were managed similarly at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN. Holstein cows (n = 31) were compared with 3-breed crossbred cows (n = 77; NJV) composed of the Normande, Jersey, and Viking Red breeds and 3-breed crossbred cows (n = 148; MVH) composed of the Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and HO breeds. Data were from 52,568 emissions records collected from July 2023 to December 2024. Exhaled gas was collected and analyzed for methane and CO2 with a GreenFeed System (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD). Methane intensity was methane divided by milk production and methane yield was methane divided by dry matter intake. Independent variables for statistical analysis were fixed effects of herd (confinement vs. grazing), genetic group (HO vs. MVH vs. NJV), lactation number (primiparous vs. multiparous), hour of day of measurement, and sire breed group nested within genetic group. Methane emissions in the confinement system (393 g/d) were higher (P 0.22) for Holstein (27.4) and NJV (24.1) cows; however, MVH (21.5) cows were lower (P < 0.05) compared to Holstein cows. The MVH cows (16.2) and NJV (16.1) cows had less (P < 0.01) methane per kg of DMI than Holstein (19.5) cows. Results suggest that crossbred cows have some benefits for reduced methane emissions in dairy systems.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Haagen, I., Heins, B. & Salfer, I., (2026) “Greenhouse gas emissions of Holstein cows compared with Holstein, Jersey, Montbéliarde, Normande, and Viking Red crossbred cows”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2280575. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.23448

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