- Selecting for the low-methane trait is supported by years of New Zealand scientific research and is already integrated into standard farming practices, making it accessible and familiar to farmers.
- AgriZeroNZ, in partnership with other organisations, has invested NZ$1.2 million to extend the Cool Sheep Programme, aiming to improve the accuracy of methane-related breeding values and encourage farmer adoption.
- New research will investigate whether low-methane sheep also exhibit better feed conversion efficiency, a factor that could further incentivize farmers to adopt this breeding strategy.
Livestock farmers currently have a narrow set of options to reduce methane from their animals amid growing pressure to reduce emissions.
While work continues across solutions such as vaccines and feed, breeding for low methane in sheep has already been proven and available today for on-farm use.
“We see genetics as an extremely valuable tool when it comes to reducing New Zealand’s livestock emissions – whether that’s through selecting for the low-methane trait for breeding or improving the genetic merit of animals overall,” said Wayne McNee chief executive of AgriZeroNZ.
He emphasised that breeding for low methane was not theoretical or experimental, but a mitigation tool that farmers can use now.
“Breeding for low methane in sheep is a proven tool, backed by years of pioneering New Zealand science, and is available to farmers now. From a farmer perspective, genetics has the appeal of already fitting into existing farm practices – it’s not a new tool to implement,” said McNee.
Research from the Bioeconomy Science Institute has backed genetics as an effective mitigation tool.
“Since establishing flocks of high and low-methane-emitting sheep, we’ve measured an average difference of around 18 per cent in methane emissions between the two groups,” said Dr Suzanne Rowe, senior scientist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute and head of the low-methane breeding research programme.
Importantly, genetic gains are permanent and cumulative, allowing them to complement other mitigation measures over time, said McNee.
“Genetics also takes time to have an effect on the population and the changes each year are small, that’s why we’re investing in a range of tools – including vaccines, inhibitors, pasture, and genetics – because we know what suits one farmer may not suit the next and we want to give farmers choice.
“Reducing a flock’s or herd’s emissions through genetics is a long-term game, but we see it as an option for farmers that should be able to be used alongside other tools for greater reductions over time.”
Funding for new research
On April 29, it was announced that AgriZeroNZ, along with Ag Emissions Centre, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries have joined forces to accelerate farmer uptake of low-methane sheep genetics in New Zealand.
The joint investment of NZ$1.2 million will extend the Cool Sheep Programme for another year, furthering research on strengthen the accuracy of the breeding value for methane.
“The new programme of work we’re investing in is about building the scientific evidence to give more farmers the confidence to select low-methane rams for breeding. The funding backs further research to strengthen the accuracy of the breeding value for methane. It will also explore whether low-methane sheep convert feed more efficiently – a development which, if correct, could entice more farmers to breed from low-methane rams,” said McNee.
With the funding, scientists would also be able to explore whether low-methane sheep convert feed more efficiently, which will be crucial to get more farmers on board to breed from low-methane rams.
The new research would include a feed efficiency trial with around 100 young female sheep and 200 growing males, with results expected later this year.
“This trial will give us clear evidence of how high and low-methane sheep differ in the way they use feed, which will help us understand whether selecting for low methane also boosts efficiency,” said Rowe.
Over the next year, the Cool Sheep Programme will also measure methane emissions and collect genetic information from 5,000 sheep to strengthen the accuracy of the breeding value.
“It’s important for us to invest in emissions reduction tools that should fit into New Zealand farming systems as ease of use is a key consideration for farmers contemplating the adoption of new technologies. Genetics overcomes this barrier as it’s a tool that farmers are already familiar with, so there’s a level of comfort with it,” said McNee.
Kate Acland, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chair added thar the farmer-owned organisation was pleased to support the programme.
“Farmers are rightly focused on productivity and profitability. This programme will help to establish if there is a genetic link between high feed conversion efficiency and low methane emissions. By stepping up the research, and collecting more data from sheep across the country, we’re supporting farmers to breed with confidence.”