Selecting for Methane Efficient Sheep

Overview of project and proposed outcomes

This 5-year project aims to develop breeding values for methane production in sheep. The breeding values can be estimated using genomic (DNA) tests and information on more than 10,000 sheep that are being measured for how much methane they produce. Methane production is measured in portable accumulation chambers where sheep are held for approximately 45 minutes to gather the required information. We measure methane production per minute for Resource Flock lambs at UNE SMART Farms as well as for sheep in studs across Australia. We need to know the variation between animals and how much of that variation is heritable. Since methane output closely relates to feed intake, we also measure the amount of feed intake per day for each sheep.  At UNE SMART Farms we have completed the construction of a 250 head feed intake facility where we can measure feed intake on large cohorts of sheep. At collaborating studs we use mobile feed intake systems. The correlation between methane production and feed intake can be estimated as well as the relationship between these traits and productivity traits such as growth rate, wool production and reproductive performance. Based on these parameters we will develop a selection index that aims to improve productivity and at the same time limit the increase in feed intake and methane output. This will lead to a sheep industry that overall can reduce methane output while maintaining productivity.

Project collaborators

Meat and Livestock Australia Donor Company, University of New England and Department of Primary Industries and Rural Development, NSW, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit

Key contact person
Professor Julius van der Werf
University of New England
jvanderw@une.edu.au