Scientists search for flock with less fart
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Australian researchers have begun looking at how to breed sheep that produce less methane gas.
The CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation says the average sheep produces 20 litres of methane gas per day and with almost 90 million sheep in the national flock, it says there is significant pressure to reduce gas production in light of the climate change debate.
Now researchers are working to unlock the science behind how sheep produce the greenhouse gas.
CRC professor James Rowe says one element is to look at the genetic variation of animals.
He says this may help breeders select sheep that produce less gas.
"The genetic angle is brand new, nobody has successfully looked at the genetic variation," he said.
Professor Rowe says researches will try and select sheep that produce less methane gas, while still producing quality wool.
"The last thing we want to do is to be selecting for sheep that produce very little methane but they don't grow, they don't produce the wool that we need," he said.
"So having this resource where we can understand the full genetic implications of selecting and working with more efficient sheep is the real breakthrough we're talking about."
The first results are expected by the end of the year.
