National Sheep Methane Project (NSMP)
Funding
Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), through the MERiL program (Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock) and Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI)
Overview of project and proposed outcomes
The National Sheep Methane Project (NSMP) is a multi-institutional initiative focused on developing and trialing practical, cost-effective solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions from Australian sheep grazing systems. The project brings together leading institutions from major sheep-producing states, including the University of New England (UNE), NSW Department of Primary Industries, Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), and The University of Western Australia (UWA).
Since 2022, UNE has been conducting trials to test the effectiveness of several methane-reducing feed additives in sheep diets, under both pen and grazing conditions. These include red seaweed (Asparagopsis), Agolin, Bovaer, nitrate, and tribromoethanol. In addition to methane reduction, the project is measuring the impact of these additives on key aspects of animal productivity such as lamb growth rates, ewe fertility, and wool production, as well as on animal health, product safety, and meat-eating quality. Through this project, UNE has also developed prototype automated feeders for delivering additive-treated pellets to sheep in grazing conditions.
The current phase of the project is focused on evaluating the combined effects of different methane-reducing technologies, assessing both their antimethanogenic efficacy and their impact on animal performance. Beyond controlled station trials, the project is working with commercial producers to test the practicality of implementing these solutions on-farm. Complementary research by partner institutions is exploring alternative methods of delivering feed additives, such as through drinking water and loose licks, as well as studying flock behaviour around supplementary feeders. Together, these efforts are providing a more complete picture of how methane reduction technologies can be applied in real-world production systems.
The NSMP aims to create practical on-farm solutions that lower methane emissions, safeguard both animal and human health, preserve farm productivity and profitability, and are easy for graziers to implement.
Project collaborators
Feedworks Pty Ltd, DSM, Gilmac Pty, DLF Seeds and collaborating producers
Key contact person details
Julius van der Werf
University of New England
