B+LNZ builds farm emission

B+LNZ builds farm emission reduction toolbox

There is no single solution when it comes to reducing methane emissions on-farm, but Beef + Lamb New Zealand is developing a suite of tools to help farmers manage their emissions.

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B+LNZ’s General Manager Farming Excellence Dan Brier, says rams with a breeding value (BV) for methane are now available to commercial farmers in a limited way and he is encouraging farmers to consider including low methane genetics in their selection criteria. To date around 20,000 sheep in New Zealand have been tested for methane production and been allocated BVs for the trait. Mr Brier says it is important other traits are not compromised when selecting for low methane genetics and research has found there to be no difference in growth rates between low and high emitting sheep. Studies have shown that low emitting sheep grow slightly more wool, they are slightly leaner and more resistant to parasites. CT scans have shown that low methane sheep have rumens with smaller volume but have more dense papillae so have a similar surface area to the rumens of high emitting sheep. The development of low methane genetics

Initial research on low methane genetics began nearly 20 years, but really got underway in 2007 when sheep in Central Progeny Tests were screened to find differences in methane production. A four percent difference was discovered between high and low emitting animals and so began a comprehensive breeding programme, breeding low emitting ewes with low emitting rams and vice-versa to determine whether the difference between the low and high emitting animals was genetic or just an anomaly. Sixteen years later, the two lines continue to diverge and there is now a 16 % difference between them. Mr Brier says the heritability in methane production is 0.2 which is similar to the heritability of growth rates and roughly double the heritability of reproductive traits. Mr Brier says this research is world leading and has been peer reviewed globally with a number of countries, including Ireland, the UK and Norway, now replicating what NZ scientists have done. Other areas of work B+LNZ is undertaking to help farmers reduce their methane emissions include animal health, feed planning, drought mitigation and forage research, all of which to contribute to feed conversion efficiency and, by proxy, improved methane efficiency. “Our work on Facial Eczema is a good example of trying to help farmers ensure the feed they grow is used for production, not to recover from disease.” Over the years, B+LNZ has and continues to invest in farm system and forage research. “A lot of the work on legumes, carried out by Lincoln University’s Dryland Pastoral Research Group and others, and supported by B+LNZ,

IMAGE: Legumes overcome the need for nitrogen with minimal urea, so reduce nitrous oxide emissions and they drive animal growth rates which means reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of product

has helped transform many dryland farming businesses, particularly along the east coast of both islands,” says Mr Brier. Legumes overcome the need for nitrogen with minimal urea, so reduce nitrous oxide emissions and they drive animal growth rates which means reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of product. Mr Brier says greater productivity per ewe, with increased scanning and lambing percentages, has been driven by a combination of genetics and improved forages. This has meant a reduction in ewe numbers and therefore decreased total GHG emissions. It has also enabled farmers to retire poorer land to sequester carbon. However, the fundamental challenge with efficiency research is balancing efficiency with the farm’s total methane production. “If efficiency means animals are finished faster but then more animals are bought onto the farm then there is no reduction in methane from the farm.” The work into driving farm system efficiencies has continued with the $8.1 million dollar Hill Country Future programme. This programme, which is a partnership between B+LNZ, The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, PGG Seeds and Seed Force, has focused on future proofing the profitability, sustainability and wellbeing of New Zealand’s hill country farmers, their farm systems, the environment and rural communities. “The sector has already demonstrated significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but there is more we can do by implementing the tools we have available now. As with all farm technologies, these will evolve over time in line with the science. “ He says B+LNZ’s focus is on ensuring farmers have the most emission reduction tools available to them when pricing come in. “It will then be up to the individual farmers to decide which solutions work best for them, their farm system and environment.”

DAN BRIER B+LNZ’S GENERAL MANAGER FARMING EXCELLENCE