New Zealand begins genetic program to produce low methane-emitting sheep

New Zealand begins genetic program to produce low methane-emitting sheep

Written by Ben Smee

‘Global first’ project will help tackle climate change by lowering agricultural greenhouse gases

The New Zealand livestock industry has begun a “global first” genetic program that would help to tackle climate change by breeding low methane-emitting sheep.

There are about six sheep for each person in New Zealand, and the livestock industry accounts for about one-third of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Related: GM could help cut livestock methane emissions, say scientists

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[FonterraFarmer]

I thought the whole methane relative to climate change argument has been well and truely buggered, as long as stock numbers are constant then the net effect is nil unlike the use of hydrocarbons which is cumulative.
What's the next alleged environmental problem that they are going to try and use for wealth redistribution??

 

[kiwi pom]

I thought the whole methane relative to climate change argument has been well and truely buggered, as long as stock numbers are constant then the net effect is nil unlike the use of hydrocarbons which is cumulative.
What's the next alleged environmental problem that they are going to try and use for wealth redistribution??

If you could reduce it and keep stock numbers the same in would be a good thing though wouldn't it?
Governments only think on a country basis and at the minute there are those in the NZ government that are I'm sure thinking. If we reduce stock numbers our emissions will look great and as we are mainly an exporter we'll still have enough food for our own citizens.
In other words, make it someone else's problem.
They've paid no consideration to the $'s our exports bring in but we'll look green.

 

[Global ovine]

Breeding for lower methane emissions will only work for farmers if they can quantify it through the BVs of the rams they use and include that into their individual farm GHG profile. If the Gov't is only interested in industry averages, no farmer will invest in such genetics.
Fortunately its moderately heritable, flock gains of 1% pa can be made without compromising other traits as there is no negative correlations to productivity.
There are less ruminants on earth now as there was prior to 1800 when humans hit their first one billion. Now we gained another billion people in just 13 years.......and we are worrying about ruminant emissions???

 

[Canada Farmer]

Breeding for lower methane emissions will only work for farmers if they can quantify it through the BVs of the rams they use and include that into their individual farm GHG profile. If the Gov't is only interested in industry averages, no farmer will invest in such genetics.
Fortunately its moderately heritable, flock gains of 1% pa can be made without compromising other traits as there is no negative correlations to productivity.
There are less ruminants on earth now as there was prior to 1800 when humans hit their first one billion. Now we gained another billion people in just 13 years.......and we are worrying about ruminant emissions???

Are by chance suggesting that your government is "book cooking" for appearances and even if you could breed ruminant livestock for the desired effect that it would have minimal or nil effect on climate change??

 

[Canada Farmer]

If you could reduce it and keep stock numbers the same in would be a good thing though wouldn't it?
Governments only think on a country basis and at the minute there are those in the NZ government that are I'm sure thinking. If we reduce stock numbers our emissions will look great and as we are mainly an exporter we'll still have enough food for our own citizens.
In other words, make it someone else's problem.
They've paid no consideration to the $'s our exports bring in but we'll look green.

Image means nothing or at best just a perception. Given that New Zealand is a country dependent on exports any government that cripples the productive sector unduely must fear some form of retaliation at some point in time?
I'd suggest it would be foolish to rely on just forestry and tourism should there be a major economic downturn in the short to medium term.

 

[Global ovine]

Are by chance suggesting that your government is "book cooking" for appearances and even if you could breed ruminant livestock for the desired effect that it would have minimal or nil effect on climate change??

We in NZ have a Gov't that is very influenced by ideologues who are more interested in perception than sound science and economics. Many of these ideologues ignore the clause in the Paris Agreement that emission mitigation must not interrupt food production.

 

[Global ovine]

Anton Coaker's "Broken record" piece under Agricultural Matters really puts the foolish beliefs of the tree brigade so clearly.

 

[Canada Farmer]

Anton Coaker's "Broken record" piece under Agricultural Matters really puts the foolish beliefs of the tree brigade so clearly.

How would he implement the last paragraph, supply management?
Or if the UK was going to go 100% self sufficient by banning all imported food and or paying the full ,true price for UK produce?
Either way I hope they are as quick as the Brexit exit, eh?