Beef + Lamb New Zealand invites stud breeders to take part in a research initiative aimed at strengthening our understanding of genetic diversity across New Zealand’s sheep industry. By genotyping sires from a range of diverse breeds, we can work to improve the accuracy of genomic predictions, support future trait development, and help work towards all flocks — including minority breeds — could benefit from NZGE in the long term. All genotyping is completed at no cost to breeders.
What’s involved
We’re asking breeders to provide:
Consent to genotype sires – consent form
A TSU sample from each sire recently used on farm and rams planned for this year’s mating (up to 20 sires per breeder)
We’ll supply a free kit with TSUs, clear instructions, a submission form, and a prepaid courier pack for easy return. All costs are covered through the Cool Sheep® Programme, and participation remains confidential.
Prize Draw
Return your TSUs by Monday 20 April 2026 to go in the draw to win one of two $250 Hunting & Fishing gift cards.
Simply complete the consent form, collect your samples, and send them back — all breeders who return TSUs are automatically entered. Winners will be announced by Friday 1 May 2026.
Project FAQs: see our FAQs.
Prize draw T&Cs: found here.
Questions? Email genetics@beeflambnz.com
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.
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.
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| Alastair Reeves, Waimai Romney | Russell Proffit, Raupuha Stud |
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.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics
PO Box 5501, Dunedin 9058
Phone: 0800 745 435
Email: info@blnzgenetics.com
