STSM: Inclusion of methane emissions as a breeding goal in dairy cattle

Hi, I am Latifa Ouatahar from Morocco. My thesis is about the inclusion of methane emissions in breading objectives of dairy cattle.

METHAGENE COST action gave an opportunity to go to the Scotland Rural College (SRUC), and work with the team of Prof. Eileen Wall, on the estimation of the economic cost of methane and inclusion it in the selection index under different scenarios.

During my stay, I had the privilege to exchange ideas with a PhD student working on the same topic, and to discuss the possible methodologies to follow in order to estimate the economic weight of methane, and the possibilities to select for feed efficiency through selection for low emitting cows. Also, the stay was an opportunity to assist to seminars related to genetics and biotechnology reproduction.

Besides work, I was happy to meet up new friends from different specialities and exchange knowledge with them, as well as meeting old friends from Spain who are doing PhD or post doc in Edinburgh. The stay was also a huge opportunity to discover the beautiful nature and historical monuments of this beautiful city.

Many thanks to the METHAGENE COST action.