"Revolutionary Climate-Smart Cows Boost Milk Production in Global South"
Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a breed of cattle that combines the milk production potential of Holsteins and Jerseys with the heat, drought, and disease resistance of Gyrs, an indigenous cattle breed common in tropical countries. These climate-smart cows have the potential to produce up to 20 times more milk than indigenous breeds, offering a game-changing solution for subsistence farmers in Tanzania. The team plans to implant embryos into indigenous cattle in Tanzania to establish a high health-status herd and increase food security. The project aims to create "pure synthetic" cattle with a genetic ratio that maintains disease and pest resistance linked together with milk production. The technology could also be used to protect cattle from changing climates in other regions, such as Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, and California.