Project update - June 2024

Measurement of methane

6500 measurements on 3331 grazing lambs made to end of May 2024. These represent 7 breeds and 27 flocks, all fully performance recorded.

Typically lambs in highest 20% of emissions produce 40-50% more methane than the bottom 20% within the group grazed and managed together.

Ewe efficiency and health

More than 14,000 records of ewe weight and body condition score, and 4000 records of parasite resistance (FEC and IgA) have been collected in participating flocks so far

This will help us understand the relationship of these traits to methane emissions and how breeding a more efficient and healthy ewe can contribute to a lower carbon footprint.

Feed efficiency and rumen biology

We want to understand the biology of the sheep that produce less methane better so we know how breeding lower methane sheep might effect their feed efficiency and rumen biology.

So far we have measured methane, feed efficiency, rumen volume and rumen microbiome profile on 250 lambs. We will continue to build on this data to help us identify the most sustainable breeding strategy.

Farm carbon footprints

Carbon audits have been completed on 62 farms to help us understand how sheep bred for a lower carbon footprint will contribute to business objectives.

Sharing out findings

We want to know the best ways to share what we learn in the project with all UK sheep farmers and help them reduce the carbon footprint of their flocks. Opportunities to contribute to this research will appear on our website and our social media channels.