<p>Sheep giving off lower methane emissions are being bred by scientists now looking to see if they can produce&nbsp;leaner meat and more lambs.</p>
<p>Methane from livestock is responsible for 33 per cent of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions. As part of international agreements, New Zealand is committed to cutting these emissions.</p>
<p>"New Zealand has the issue that they can't do this by cutting urban emissions or planting trees," AgResearch senior scientist Suzanne Rowe said.</p>
<p>Scientists at Invermay have been involved in a five year programme to measure whether breeding sheep for low methane is likely to affect reproduction, productivity and health.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/sheep/96275430/low-methane-producing-sheep-could-be-way-forward-for-nz" target="_blank">Read more</a></strong> (external website)</p>