How farty are your ewes??

[Man_in_black]

Scientists hope to breed sheep that emit less greenhouse gases

Initiative aims to improve the animals’ feeding efficiency and reduce methane emissions

www.theguardian.com

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Sounds like a lot of hot air

 

[Stewart Setter]

good grief..

 

[David.]

Will that mean less fun for grandkids, always good for a laugh, tooting out a tune whilst foot trimming a sitting ewe.

 

[Stewart Setter]

Farts make me chuckle, I was watching a ploughing competition a few weeks back and was admiring a stunning Suffolk Punch. It was munching away, then had a little cough and proceeded to let out one hell of a fart! Jumped out my own skin.

 

[Paddington]

So if I'm in a pen of sheep I wouldn't be able to blame any sudden noises/smells on them ?

 

[john1968]

Farts make me chuckle, I was watching a ploughing competition a few weeks back and was admiring a stunning Suffolk Punch. It was munching away, then had a little cough and proceeded to let out one hell of a fart! Jumped out my own skin.

are you sure it was the Suffolk punch that let rip

 

[Stewart Setter]

are you sure it was the Suffolk punch that let rip

I'd have been proud if it had been me

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Still think they're barking up the wrong tree.
It's a natural cycle.
It's unnatural additions they need to look at.

 

[TelesnaAg]

ARE YOU SURE................its the ewes?

Ant....

 

[Fergieman]

Research being done by Miss Lamb! Thought it was 1st April.

 

[NZDan]

The low input CPT I'm involved in is measuring methane emission from each sire group, as a bonus it is closely correlated to fees efficiency.

 

[primmiemoo]

Surely it's the gut bacteria and the type of feed that dictates emissions? Potentially losing beneficial livestock genetics by breeding against emissions is a very expensive way of going about things on several levels, when a relatively easily managed diet can do the same job.

 

[NZDan]

Surely it's the gut bacteria and the type of feed that dictates emissions? Potentially losing beneficial livestock genetics by breeding against emissions is a very expensive way of going about things on several levels, when a relatively easily managed diet can do the same job.

Breeding for anything risks loosing beneficial livestock genetics, as we know breeding for increased meat yield leads to decreased meat quality, increased wool leads to decreased fertility etc etc.
Gut bacteria do play a role and the US and China are both working on either modifying gut bacteria or selecting feeding situations based on resident gut bacteria.
Both methane emissions and feed efficiency are reasonably heritable and while feed efficiency is negatively correlated to some traits methane emissions appear not to be.

 

[Roy_H]

I know, it's an old one! I'm going to see a cardiologist today, l better not do that!

 

[primmiemoo]

Breeding for anything risks loosing beneficial livestock genetics, as we know breeding for increased meat yield leads to decreased meat quality, increased wool leads to decreased fertility etc etc.
Gut bacteria do play a role and the US and China are both working on either modifying gut bacteria or selecting feeding situations based on resident gut bacteria.
Both methane emissions and feed efficiency are reasonably heritable and while feed efficiency is negatively correlated to some traits methane emissions appear not to be.

That's genuinely fascinating. I know there's similar research in beef cattle happening not many miles from me, and I'm looking forward to learning about the findings.

So, presumably, the research in the OP is to study emissions ranges of Texel sheep and adapt them in what is currently a typical northern British climate, with a view to fix traits for high feed efficiency/low emissions within the breed in similar environmental conditions?

(Brain beginning to hurt, now.)