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The Use of an Automated System (GreenFeed) to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals
Published on: September 7, 2015
Heritability estimates of methane emissions from sheep
C S Pinares-Patiño1, S M Hickey, E A Young
1Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, PB 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Summary
Sheep genetics show variation in methane (CH4) emissions, with heritability estimates for daily CH4 output and CH4 per dry matter intake (DMI). These traits are repeatable, offering potential for breeding programs to reduce emissions.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Environmental Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Methane (CH4) emissions from livestock contribute to greenhouse gases.
- Understanding genetic parameters for CH4 emissions is crucial for developing mitigation strategies in sheep production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine genetic parameters for CH4 emissions in sheep.
- To assess genetic correlations between CH4 emissions and key production traits.
Main Methods:
- Measured CH4 emissions from 1225 sheep using respiration chambers over 4 days.
- Calculated CH4 outputs as g CH4/day and g CH4/kg dry matter intake (DMI).
- Utilized single trait and bivariate models to estimate heritability, repeatability, and genetic correlations.
Main Results:
- Heritability for g CH4/day was 0.29 ± 0.05; for g CH4/kg DMI it was 0.13 ± 0.03.
- Repeatability estimates between measurements 14 days apart were 0.55 ± 0.02 (g CH4/day) and 0.26 ± 0.02 (g CH4/kg DMI).
- Weak correlations were observed between CH4 traits and most production traits, except for a negative genetic correlation with fleece weight (-0.32 ± 0.11).
Conclusions:
- Significant genetic variation exists for CH4 emission traits in sheep, even after accounting for feed intake.
- CH4 emission traits are repeatable, indicating potential for selection.
- Genetic selection may offer a low, economically favorable relationship for reducing CH4 emissions, particularly concerning fleece weight.
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