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NZ Farming, Methane Science Accord and Groundswell NZ.
Survey on Low methane Genetics, Emissions Biotechnology and Farming Priorities for NZ Sheep & Beef Farmers
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
A moderate priority
A low priority
Not a priority
2.
Which, if any, of the following approaches to reducing methane would you use on your farm? Select all that apply:
Low-methane genetics
Feed additives or methane inhibitors
Methane bolus
Methane vaccine
Changes to stocking rates or farm management
I would not actively pursue methane-reduction measures
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?
I would not use it.
I would only use it if it had no meaningful effect on other important traits.
I would make it a high priority, even if it came at some cost to production
I am unsure and would need more evidence before deciding
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 as another breeding objective
Research should continue, but adoption should depend on evidence that it does not undermine economically important traits
Research should continue, but other breeding priorities should take precedence
I do not support further government or industry levy investment in low-methane genetics research
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):
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
Animal diseases and animal health
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
Weeds, pests and invasive species
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
Anthelmintic (drench) resistance
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
Biosecurity and prevention of new pests and diseases
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
Soil health and pasture productivity
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
Improving animal productivity and efficiency
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
Reducing ruminant methane emissions
1 very high priority
2 high priority
3 medium priority
4 low priority
5 no priority
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
Methane reduction research should continue, but alongside other agricultural research priorities
Greater priority should be given to other agricultural research priorities, such as animal health, biosecurity, productivity, pasture improvement and pest or disease management
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 stocks' health or my farm's profitability
I would not adopt it
It would depend on the technology and evidence available
8.
Bull traits: When choosing a bull which traits are most important to you? Tick up to five traits.
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
Other (please specify)
9.
Ram traits: When choosing a ram, which traits are most important to you? Select up to five. Leave blank if you don't buy rams.
Growth rate / live weight
Fertility / reproduction
Survival
Maternal ability / longevity
Carcase value and meat quality
Wool production / quality
Disease / parasite resistance
Structural soundness
Feed efficiency
Low-methane breeding value
Other (please specify)
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?
Yes
No