ISSUE : Emissions Biotechnology and Farming Priorities for NZ Sheep & Beef FarmersLow Methane Genetics
Survey Results.
Nov 2026
Prepared by
NZ FARMING
GROUNDSWELL NZ
METHANE SCIENCE ACCORD
Preliminary Results
(Published 10 Nov)
—with over 900 Responses in here are the Preliminary Results to our 2026 Low-Methane Genetics Survey
Preliminary Results
with over 900 Responses in
here are the Preliminary Results to our 2026 Low Methane Genetics Survey
November 10
Question 1.
Importance of ruminant methane reduction:
Compared with other priorities facing sheep and beef farmers, how important do you believe reducing ruminant methane emissions should be?
One of our highest priorities: 1.38%
A moderate priority: 4.14%
A low priority: 15.94%
Not a priority: 78.53%
How important is reducing ruminant methane emissions?
Question 2.
Which, if any, of the following approaches to reducing methane would you use on your farm?
Select all that apply:
Feed additives or methane inhibitors: 3.4% of Respondents would use.
Methane bolus: 2% of Respondents would use.
Methane vaccine: 3.1% of Respondents would use.
I would NOT actively pursue methane-reduction measures: 76% of Respondents.
Changes to stocking rates or farm management: 7.95% of Respondents
Low-methane genetics 7.5% of Respondents would use.
Which approaches to reducing methane would you use on your farm?
Question 3.
Using a low-methane breeding value:
Breeding values for methane emissions are becoming available for rams and bulls.
As with any new trait, selecting for it may also negatively influence other traits, depending on how they are linked. If a low- methane breeding value was available for a ram or bull you were considering, which statement best describes how you would use it?
Only if it had no meaningful effect on other important traits: 32.23% of Respondents
I would make it a high priority, even if it came at some cost to production: 0.74% of Respondents
I am unsure and need more evidence before deciding: 17.87% of Respondents
I would not use it: 49.15% of Respondents
Low Methane Breed: New Trait Trade Off's
Question 4.
Research and investment:
Which best reflects your view of further investment in low-methane genetics research?
Research should continue and low-methane genetics should be pursued
Research should continue, but adoption should depend on evidence
Research should continue, but other breeding priorities should take precedence
I do not support further government or industry levy investment in low- methane
Research and investment in Low Methane Genetics
Question 5.
There is only a limited amount of funding available for agricultural research. In your opinion, how should research funding be prioritised across the following areas?
Please rank each area from 1 (very high priority) to 5 (no priority):
Ranked Results
Biosecurity and prevention of new pests and diseases
Animal diseases and animal health
Soil health and pasture productivity
Weeds, pests and invasive species
Improving animal productivity and efficiency
Anthelmintic (drench) resistance
Reducing ruminant methane emissions
Question 6.
Priorities for agricultural emissions research:
New Zealand has a very emissions efficient agricultural sector by international standards. Given this, how do you think government and industry research funding should be balanced between further reducing ruminant methane emissions and other agricultural priorities?
Greater priority should be given to further reducing ruminant methane emissions: 0.96%
Methane reduction research should continue, but alongside other agricultural concerns: 6.72%
Greater priority should be given to other agricultural research priorities: 92.32%
Priorities for agricultural emissions research
Question 7.
If reducing ruminant methane required farmers to adopt a technology or farming practice that increased their costs but did not increase productivity or profitability, which statement best reflects your view?
I would adopt it if it was necessary to meet New Zealand's emissions commitments
I would consider it if there was financial compensation or an incentive
I would only adopt it if there was no significant negative impact on my stock...
I would not adopt it
It would depend on the technology and evidence available
Question 8 + 9.
Q9. Bull traits: When choosing a bull which traits are most important to you?
Options:
Growth rate / live weight
Fertility / reproduction
Calving ease
Survival
Maternal ability / longevity
Carcase value and meat quality
Disease / parasite resistance
Structural soundness
Feed efficiency
Low-methane breeding value
Results- Top 5 Bull Traits
Growth rate / live weight
Calving ease
Fertility / reproduction
Structural soundness
Carcase value and meat quality
Q10. Ram traits: When choosing a ram, which traits are most important to you?
Options:
Growth rate / live weight
Fertility / reproduction
Lambing ease
Survival
Maternal ability / longevity
Carcase value and meat quality
Wool production / quality
Disease / parasite resistance
Structural soundness
Feed efficiency
Low-methane breeding value
Results - Top 5 Ram Traits
Growth rate / live weight
Fertility / reproduction
Carcase value and meat quality
Disease / parasite resistance
Structural soundness
Question 10.
Calculating ruminant emissions.
This question only applies if you are a sheep farmer:
nProve Tracker is a new Beef + Lamb NZ digital tool that tracks sire genetics into a farm’s replacement ewe flock, including low-methane genetics. It can use this information to estimate a flock’s methane emissions and support greenhouse-gas reporting.
Would you use Beef + Lamb NZ’s nProve Tracker to calculate your flock’s methane emissions for use in greenhouse-gas calculators?