Peer-reviewed study validates environmental benefits of targeted genetics across climate, water, land, and air impact categories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ABS Global announces the publication of new peer-reviewed research in the Journal of Dairy Science demonstrating how our ABS NuEra\u00ae Genetics program can reduce the environmental footprint of beef-on-dairy (BxD) production systems while supporting producer profitability. The study provides independent scientific validation of findings through an industry-leading Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and establishes a framework for incorporating the impact of genetics into environmental footprint assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis work is an important step in demonstrating the critical role of genetics in creating more sustainable food systems,” comments Dr. Matthew Cleveland, Senior Director of Global Bovine Sustainability for ABS. \u201cFor the first time, we have been able to quantify the effect of better genetics on environmental impact in commercial BxD production which allows beef supply chain stakeholders to connect specific genetic inputs to measurable sustainability outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The publication marks an important milestone in the development of credible environmental claims. While the original LCA quantified the environmental benefits associated with targeted genetic improvement in commercial BxD systems and was reviewed by an independent ISO panel, publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal provides an additional level of transparency and scrutiny by expert reviewers. The LCA methodology was found to conform to internationally recognized ISO standards, and the publication now shares the science behind those findings with the broader scientific community following independent peer review. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The research found that targeted genetic improvement via the ABS NuEra\u00ae Genetics program reduced overall environmental footprint by 4.5% to 8.8% across commercial BxD systems in the United States and United Kingdom, with reductions projected to reach 4.7% to 11.2% as genetic progress continues over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By evaluating 16 environmental impact categories, the research focused on a broad range of environmental impacts, rather than climate change alone, providing a more comprehensive view of sustainability. These categories encompassed impacts related to air quality, water use and quality, land use, soil quality, and resource use. The findings reinforced that sustainability in cattle production extends beyond enteric methane emissions alone. From the outset, the project sought to understand the environmental co-benefits of genetics already designed to improve producer profitability. The research demonstrates that the same performance traits that drive economic value, including faster growth and improved production efficiency, also contribute to lower environmental impact. Faster gain and improved efficiency reduced feed requirements, lowered enteric emissions, and decreased manure output, creating environmental benefits across multiple impact categories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using commercial data from more than 60,000 animals across three BxD production systems in the United States and United Kingdom, the research showed that higher genetic merit improved growth performance and resource use efficiency. These improvements translated into measurable reductions across environmental impact categories while maintaining productivity gains valued by producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond validating previous findings, the study sets a precedent for the broader industry for how to validate environmental benefits conferred from genetic improvement. The study establishes a framework for incorporating genetic improvement into life cycle assessments and demonstrates how genetic progress can be reflected in environmental footprint calculations. It also represents one of the first peer-reviewed beef-on-dairy LCAs to evaluate production phases before finishing, providing a more complete assessment of environmental impacts across the production system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As retailers, food service companies and supply chain partners increasingly seek practical pathways to reduce Scope 3 emissions and broader environmental impacts, the findings highlight genetic improvement as an intervention that can deliver environmental benefits while supporting producer profitability. The study positions genetics as a foundational component of sustainable beef production, with benefits that are cumulative, permanent, and scalable across generations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n