In a world first, New Zealand scientists have mapped the genetic sequence of a microbe, which produces methane from the rumen of cattle and sheep. 

 

With this understanding, the team of Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium scientists are now looking at ways of reducing the amount of methane farm animals produce – which in New Zealand accounts for 32 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Dr Graeme Attwood of AgResearch led the project team that has spent five years studying the microorganisms called methanogens to determine their genetic code.

 

This project is part of a $19 million investment the Consortium has made into research and development to find a solution to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions. The PGgRc research programme is the most comprehensive of its kind in the world.

 

Chairman of the Consortium Mark Leslie says the completion of the research is a “significant milestone” that will help researchers gain a better understanding of how methanogens work.

 

“While we still have some way to go in finding a solution to reduce methane emissions, closing this genomic sequence is an important piece of the complex puzzle,” he says.

 

“There are more than a billion domestic farm animals in the world. If we can win the worldwide race to find a practical, cost effective solution for reducing agricultural emissions, we can not only help reduce our Kyoto Protocol liabilities – but also commercialise and export the technology to the world as well.”

 

 

 

 

 

The methanogen mapped by the PGgRC team is called Methanobrevibacter Ruminantium. Ithas more than 2200 genes and at 3 million bases in size is a medium size microbe. Itis a member of a major group of rumen methanogens, which use hydrogen and carbon dioxide - produced from grass and other digested forage - to form methane.

 

The genome sequencing research project aims to identify new genes and proteins that can be used to target and inhibit methanogens, without decreasing animal productivity or affecting the many other microbes that are beneficial to the rumen and digestion.

 

The consortium believes it is still five years away from providing practical solutions to reduce methane emissions, and another 10 years away from seeing cost effective changes integrated into farm systems and widely adopted by farmers. Ultimately the solution could be delivered in the form of a drench, vaccine or by changing forage (feed) systems for animals.

 

The Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium is funded by Fonterra, Meat & Wool New Zealand, DairyNZ, PGG Wrightson, Fert Research, Deer Research and AgResearch in partnership with the Foundation for Research Science & Technology.