Stud flocks: Measuring methane emissions in your animals

As part of the three-year Cool Sheep® Programme, at least 5,000 methane measurements (phenotypes) of individual stud animals will be collected every year by AgResearch Limited, using Portable Accumulation Chambers (PAC) trailers. These trailers enable accurate assessments of methane emissions from sheep.

The PAC data is combined with sheep genotyping to provide a methane breeding value.  Consequently, this programme will also support the wider use of genomic information in the national breeding flock. Greater genotyping of sires used across the breeding industry will generate breeding values for methane (and other traits) for as many sires used at stud and in the commercial industry as possible, providing additional benefits for national genetic gain.

How it works:

• AgResearch has multiple trailers with small portable accumulation chambers (PAC) that estimate daily methane emission for individual sheep. In this way, breeders can have their sheep measured on their own farm. Trailers are located in both the North and South Islands.

• The one-visit process will measure up to 168 eligible animals (from 14 sires) at a single site as part of the Cool Sheep Programme. This involves two days of testing - the PAC trailer can measure 12 animals at a time and up to 7 groups can be run daily.

• Additional animals beyond 168 can be measured at the breeder’s full cost during the same visit on an additional testing day (84 animals required per additional day)

• Options exist for breeders with fewer than 168 eligible animals (from 14 sires) 

Watch the short video clips below to hear first-hand experiences from breeders measuring emissions in their flocks.

Alastair Reeves, Waimai Romney	Russell Proffit, Raupuha Stud

 

Expressions of Interest for 2026 PAC measures are open. 

Stud breeders interested in measuring methane emissions in their flocks during 2026 are invited to register their interest at www.methanebv.co.nz.   
An Expression of Interest (EOI) must be received by 30 November 2025 to be considered for any secured funding support. 

 

Resources for farmers

The following videos explore the full suite of features available through nProve - from a general overview of nProve to more in depth detail covering nProve Sheep, nProve's features for stud breeders and nProve Tracker. 

Unlock the Power of Genetics with nProve   nProve Sheep   An overview of the features available in nProve, covering a brief introduction to nProve Sheep and nProve Beef.   More detail on the available features in nProve Sheep       nProve features for Sheep Stud Breeders   Including Methane in your selection criteria on nProve     A look at useful features in nprove.nz that sheep stud breeders can utilise with their clients.   This video steps through a practical example of how to include methane as part of your selection criteria on nProve, and how to find flocks measuring this trait.

nProve Tracker

nProve Tracker is a new digital tool within the nProve platform that enables farmers to follow sire genetics through their replacement ewe flock to track genetic progress over time. Find out more about the tool at nprovetracker.nz

Watch a video onintroducing nProve tracker