Sustain Sheep: Reducing global sheep methane emissions: sustainability in practice via new breeding goals

Sheep, Methane Mitigation, Breeding, Policy

3 years

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Basic research

Introduction

This project aims to create an infrastructure for the incorporation of genetic merit for low environmental impact into national sheep breeding schemes that dovetails into the IPCC inventory and provides a mechanism for national and global comparison. Key benefits would be the incorporation of methane emissions, feed intake and efficiency measures. As all partner countries have invested in the same technology to measure methane emissions (portable accumulation chambers, PACs) from individual sheep, we have the perfect platform for synergistic research and investment has been made in developing an impactful team. This work will provide farmers and policymakers with a tool to compare methane emissions from sheep production systems and will help to break down barriers to the successful implementation of science into policy.

Background

There is growing evidence that genetic improvement could provide a cost-effective way of reducing methane emissions from sheep production (e.g. see Rowe et al. 2021, Farrell et al. 2022). This could be achieved by increased uptake of existing breeding goals (that focus on improved productivity), or by specifically targeting rates of enteric methane excretion. Currently there is chronic under-adoption of these measures as the social benefits of reducing emissions via breeding are not captured by the market. Policies could be developed to correct this market failure, however these require a robust scientific basis and a means by which the mitigation is captured by the national GHG inventory (and hence contributes to Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to emissions reduction targets).

Main project activities

  • The project will provide a summary of current science related to the potential to breed sheep for reduced methane emissions

  • Data from previous and current trials across different countries, breeds and production systems will be collated to fully assess genetic parameters and correlations with other important traits of interest in breeding programmes.

  • Physiological and economic implications of genetic or genomic strategies for selection for low methane emissions in sheep will be assessed

  • Models informed by data collected within the project will estimate the uptake rates, cost, abatement potential and cost-effectiveness of a range of theoretical policies designed to increase uptake of genetic improvement in sheep.

  • A comprehensive knowledge transfer exchange (KTE) strategy, including mechanisms for evaluation and feedback from policy makers and stakeholders will be developed to enhance communication and dissemination of the project outputs.

Expected social impact

The project will be relevant to a number of key stakeholders:

  • Development of tools to improve efficiency and contribute to GHG mitigation by breeding will benefit sheep breeders and breed societies directly.

  • Increasing the competitiveness and public image of the sheep industry by the supply of lamb meat grown efficiently with less environmental impact and desirable carcass quality will be relevant for various industry stakeholders.

  • This project will contribute information and recommendations to governments and policy makers, based on a number of relevant scenarios and strategies.

  • Results will be shared with the scientific community at local and international level and submitted for peer review.

  • Information, progress and impact of the contribution of this research project will be delivered to consumers and the general public. Consumers will benefit from having access to lamb meat that is of good quality and healthy and is also produced in an environmentally sustainable way. The communication of these initiatives and objectives will contribute to create awareness in the general public about the relevance of livestock production, initiatives to support GHG mitigation and their contribution to this goal.

Appropriate communication channels will be used to engage with different target audiences. Global/ international actions will be addressed by the consortium, whilst activities directed to local audiences (e.g. breeders, breed societies, general public), will be organised at national level by local teams.

Implementation and plans to reach target groups

A fourth work package (WP4, led by INIA, involving all partners), will concentrate on knowledge transfer and exchange, in order to maximise stakeholder engagement and determine the best mechanisms for dissemination and implementation of project results. This will involve definition of the main messages, audiences and communication channels for knowledge exchange, within and across countries. A comprehensive KTE strategy, including mechanisms for evaluation and feedback, will ensure effective communication. Resources used will include mainstream and social media channels, written peer review publication and face to face via stakeholder groups and conference presentations.

Partners of the project

  • Teagasc, Ireland

    Dr. Fiona McGovern

    • Sheep Ireland, Ireland - Ms. Jaynell Anderson

    • AgResearch, New Zealand - Dr Patricia Johnson B.

    • INRAE, France - Ms. Flavie Tortereau MSc

    • SRUC, Scotland, UK - Dr Nicola Lambe

    • NMBU, Norway -Dr Bente Aspeholen Åby

    • NSG, Norway - Dr Jette Jakobsen

    • INIA, Uruguay -Dr Gabriel Ciappesoni

    • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland

    • The Research Council of Norway, Norway

    • Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand

    • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK