You read that right. Our intrepid New Zealand neighbours have developed a sheep that creates up to 10 per cent less methane than other windier breeds – to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the ABC, agricultural research company AgResearch started with their breeding program with two lines of 100 ewes that were divided into high and low gas emitting groups.
Sheep release most of their methane by burping (who knew?) so the researchers figured out which sheep were ‘gassier’ by placing them in a purpose-built emissions accumulation chamber (jokingly called the ‘fart chamber’) to measure how much ‘gas’ accumulated.
The result? They’ve been able to pass the lower-emitting trait onto 20 per cent of sheep in the next generation.
It sounds like a small number – but when you consider livestock emissions are the biggest contributor to New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions – and make up about 10 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse emissions – the savings stack up.
The researchers now want a carbon trading scheme introduced where farmers can trade sheep for carbon credits.
A similar scheme is far-off here however. While the former Labor Government funded several programs into cutting livestock methane emissions, local scientists say funding for flatulent-focused research programs has dried up.
Time for us Aussies to stop farting around?
