<p>
<span class="h6">Objective 1.2<a name="Obj1.2" title="Obj1.2"></a></span><br />
<span class="h5">Low methane producing animals</span> 
</p>
<p>
NZAGRC and PGgRc jointly supported programme<span class="h7"><br />
Leader:</span> John McEwan (AgResearch) <br />
<span class="h7">NZAGRC funding:</span> April 2010 - June 2014 
</p>
<p>
This work aligns with an existing PGgRc project which is accurately measuring methane emissions from sheep with the aim of breeding animals for reduced emissions in the future. If this is proven to be scientifically feasible, several technologies will be required for industry adoption. This Objective is investigating these additional factors. 
</p>
<p>
<span class="h6"><br />
Objective 1.3<a name="Obj1.3" title="Obj1.3"></a></span><br />
<span class="h5">Genomic identification of universal targets for methanogen inhibition</span> 
</p>
<p>
NZAGRC and PGgRc jointly supported programme<br />
<span class="h7">Leader: </span>Dr Sinead Leahy (AgResearch) <br />
<span class="h7">NZAGRC funding:</span> April 2010 - December 2014 
</p>
<p>
This Objective involves sequencing rumen methanogens to provide information for programs developing small molecule inhibitors and vaccines to control rumen methane emissions. The research is complementary to, and extends, current methanogen genomics projects in PGgRc- and SLMACC-funded programmes. 
</p>
<p>
<span class="h6"><br />
Objective 1.4<a name="Obj1.4" title="Obj1.4"></a></span><br />
<span class="h5">Enhanced discovery of methanogen-specific inhibitors</span> 
</p>
<p>
NZAGRC and PGgRc jointly supported programme<br />
<span class="h7">Leader:</span> Dr Ron Ronimus (AgResearch) <br />
<span class="h7">NZAGRC funding:</span> April 2010 - June 2014 
</p>
<p>
Small molecule inhibitors have great potential to provide sustained and complete knockdown of methane emissions from ruminants by the targeting of multiple essential enzymes, while minimising the development of resistance. In this Objective, which builds on an existing PGgRc funded initiative, steps in the inhibitor discovery pipeline are being accelerated. 
</p>
<p>
<br />
<span class="h6">Objective 1.5<a name="Obj1.5" title="Obj1.5"></a></span><br />
<span class="h5">Expression of vaccine target proteins</span> 
</p>
<p>
NZAGRC and PGgRc jointly supported programme<br />
<span class="h7">Leader:</span> Dr Bryce Buddle (AgResearch) <br />
<span class="h7">NZAGRC funding:</span> July 2010 - June 2013 
</p>
<p>
Vaccination of ruminants has the potential to be a very cost-effective means of mitigating methane emissions by preventing or reducing the growth of methanogens in the rumen and impairing their ability to produce methane. In this Objective, which aligns with PGgRc- and SLMACC-funded programmes, target proteins are being shortlisted and produced for evaluation as vaccine candidates. 
</p>
<p>
<br />
<span class="h6">Objective 1.6<a name="Obj1.6" title="Obj1.6"></a></span><br />
<span class="h5">Identifying alternative hydrogen utilisers </span>
</p>
<p>
NZAGRC and PGgRc jointly supported programme <br />
<span class="h7">Leader: </span>Dr Gemma Henderson (AgResearch) <br />
<span class="h7">NZAGRC funding: </span>April 2010 - December 2014 
</p>
<p>
Proposed methane mitigation strategies include eliminating rumen methanogens by means of an inhibitor or a vaccine. The inhibition of methanogens will result in the accumulation of hydrogen that is formed during the fermentation of feed. This hydrogen is expected to slow the rate of feed conversion, and so may affect animal productivity. However, this hydrogen may also be used byalternative hydrogen utilisers. Knowing which organisms will use the hydrogen and understanding how best to encourage their growth and manage the transition from a methane-producing rumen to an equally (or perhaps even more) productive system that doesn&#39;t produce methane is important for on-farm application of methane control technologies. This work builds on an existing PGgRc programme and will identify candidate alternative hydrogen utilisers from a range of different rumen samples.<br />
</p>
