Reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and particularly enteric methane (EM) emissions, from ruminant livestock is a global problem faced by all producers. In 2015 there were 1.18 billion sheep in the world emitting 158 Mt of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalents of EM, or 6% of the total EM emissions (FAO 2022). Animal breeding is a highly cost-effective strategy to achieve reductions in EM and has already been included in national plans and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCS) to achieve mitigation targets in several countries.

An international project (‘Grass To Gas’, 2019-2023) combined expertise and generated new knowledge towards the reduction of methane (CH₄ ), a potent GHG, from sheep. Proxy measurements were investigated including individual animal feed intake and N-alkane measures indoors and at pasture, rumen microbiome-generated data, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with plasma and rumen samples, and rumen volume by Computer-Tomography (CT), amongst others, in native, improved and unimproved sheep breeds and with different feed and forage qualities. Direct measurements of CH₄, and CO₂ from ewes and lambs were compared using portable accumulation chambers (PACs), sheep and Greenfeed to enable animal ranking and first breeding values for GHG emissions for sheep. Heritabilities (with s.e.) for PAC raw CH₄ (g/day) were reported as being between 0.26(0.03) and 0.34(0.09) from 4 countries, with methane intensity CH₄ / (CH₄+CO₂) moles/day having lower values [0.21(0.03) to 0.29(0.06)]. Estimates for residual feed intake (RFI) were higher at between 0.37(0.08) to 0.45(0.08). As expected, genetic correlations between RFI and feed intake were moderate to strong (0.41(0.14) to 0.79(0.09), and low or close to zero with body weight or growth. Comparing low vs high RFI progeny of Romane sires showed that after 4 generations, the dry matter intake difference between RFI lines reached 123 g/day of concentrate and 80 g/day of forage in favour of the efficient line. A larger difference of 20% in feed intake was reported when comparing Australian Merino lambs contrasting in RFI.

The links between RFI, feed intake and CH₄ emissions are more complex and require further investigation. However, high CH₄ was associated with higher levels of feed intake with preliminary genetic correlations reported as being between 0.33(0.17) and 0.43(0.19) and those between CH₄ and metabolic body weight being 0.58(0.15) to 0.68(0.11). The use of routine CT scans enabled retrospective computation of rumen volume which has been shown to be moderately heritable. The genetic correlation between rumen volume and CH₄ is yet to be determined although larger reticulo-rumen volumes, as measured by CT scanning, were associated with increased methane emissions but not with RFI at the phenotypic level.

Classroom-based research (CBR) in second and foreign language education takes place in authentic classroom settings, where researchers have limited control over variables. Unlike laboratory-based studies, CBR focuses on real-world learning environments and has evolved into a systematic field of inquiry. It encompasses both learner-focused studies, which explore learning processes and outcomes, and teacher-focused studies, which examine pedagogy, practices, and beliefs. In the context of Literacy Education and Second Language Learning for Adults (LESLLA), CBR provides valuable insights into language learning, literacy development, and social participation. Despite growing interest in this area, methodological approaches remain underexplored. This article reports on four studies conducted in Canada and Australia illustrating different research designs within the CBR framework. The different research designs and their contributions to LESLLA scholarship are discussed and analyzed, followed by a discussion of lessons learned through implementing CBR in diverse contexts. By reflecting on research experiences, we highlight methodological strengths and challenges, offering insights to support the advancement of evidence-based practices for LESLLA learners and educators.

Lifetime production is a key driver of the profitability of Merino flocks. While the genetic control and relationships between young and adult assessments have been evaluated previously, the conclusions have not been validated using data from a progeny test design, which extensively captures lifetime data from diverse sires and ewe bases. This paper estimated genetic correlations between lifetime age stages of greasy fleece weight, fibre diameter and body wrinkle, and between the traits. The results show that assessments for these three traits made at a young age have a moderate correlation (r_g>0.6) with adult performance, however, they are genetically different from adult assessments. These results suggest measurement of adult performance is beneficial. Genetic groups derived from admixture analysis using genotypes provided a good alternative to account for population diversity when the pedigree-derived genetic groups are challenging to define accurately. Further work is required on the other important traits which determine lifetime productivity.

This work aimed to provide guidance to breeders on the level of flystrike expression required to achieve effective selection and to develop genomic reference data for future prediction. Genetic parameters and breeding values were compared across different expression thresholds (1% to 10%) using data sourced from 21 research and industry breeder flocks. Among the thresholds examined (1% to 10%), a 2.5% threshold was adequate for excluding data with no genetic variation for breech strike while retaining sufficient data for analysis. Previously, a 5% threshold was considered effective for capturing data with adequate variation, primarily from research flocks with minimal flystrike prevention practices. Lowering this threshold to 2.5% enables greater breeder participation by making it more achievable to obtain information for selection purposes. As flystrike resistance has proven to be heritable, breeding for genetic resistance offers a sustainable, long-term solution, helping to reduce flystrike. Additionally, this change supports a broader breeding approach to reduce flystrike, potentially minimising reliance on chemical treatments and management practices.