Genetics to reduce methane emissions from Irish sheep

New breeding values for sheep aimed at reducing methane emissions and supporting the delivery of climate emission reductions, have been launched by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Martin Heydon.

The Minister launched the new breeding values at the Sheep2023 event in Gurteen Agricultural College, County Tipperary.

Minister Heydon highlighted the important scientific breakthrough that can enable the Irish sheep industry to reduce methane output through animal genetics.

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The new breeding values for methane emissions are based on collaborative research between Teagasc and Sheep Ireland and are part of the €3 million research project ‘GREENBREED’, funded by the Department of Agriculture.

Key research findings:
Large differences in daily methane emissions were found between ewes, with 17% of these differences being traced to genetics.

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The genetically identified highest 20% of emitting animals are expected to emit 15% more methane per day compared to the lowest 20% emitting animals.

“This innovative and world class research, conducted as part of the Department funded GREENBREED project, represents the dawn of a new era for the Irish sheep breeding programme. It creates a pathway to reduce methane emissions in a way that is economically and environmentally sustainable with results that are permanent and cumulative,” Minister Heydon said.

Dr. Nóirín McHugh, Teagasc, lead researcher, said the work was based on methane records from over 5,000 animals from all across Ireland.
“We have the tools available to harness these differences to breed more environmentally sustainable animals, without negatively impacting an animal’s performance and profitability.”