Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/5411
Title: Is methane production likely to be a future Merino selection criterion?
Contributor(s): Cottle, David  (author)orcid ; Van Der Werf, Julius H  (author)orcid ; Banks, Robert  (author)
Publication Date: 2009
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/5411
Abstract: Selection index theory was used to model the effects of including feed intake and methane (CH₄) production in the breeding objective and having both, either or none of these traits as selection criteria on genetic responses in Merino production traits. A range of economic values (EV) were assumed for CH₄ production based on expected future prices for CO₂-e ($/tonne). The implicit price of carbon required to achieve desired gains of a reduction in CH₄ of 1% p.a. were calculated. The sensitivity of desired gains to changes in the correlations between production traits and CH₄ production were modeled as these correlations are currently unknown. If the correlations between production traits and CH₄ are positive (as expected) then it is very unlikely that CH₄ production would be used as a selection criterion as an implicit carbon price of over $400/tonne CO₂-e was needed to achieve the desired reductions in CH4 production. However, if the correlations are unexpectedly negative, the carbon price needed to achieve such gains was more likely at ~$30/tonne CO₂-e. The correlations need to be determined from research trials for informed advice about breeding for CH₄ reduction to be given to Merino breeders.
Publication Type: Conference Publication
Conference Details: AAABG 2009: 18th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Barossa Valley, Australia, 27th September - 1st October, 2009
Source of Publication: Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.18, p. 516-519
Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Place of Publication: Armidale, Australia
ISSN: 1328-3227
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070201 Animal Breeding
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830311 Sheep - Wool
830310 Sheep - Meat
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: E1 Refereed Scholarly Conference Publication
Publisher/associated links: http://aaabg.org/aaabg18/
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/36420775
http://www.aaabg.org/proceedings18/files/cottle516.pdf
Appears in Collections:Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU)
Conference Publication

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