Kiwi scientists breed sheep – to fart and burp less

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? 

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.