@article {4166,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Exploration of the New Zealand Deer Rumen Microbiome},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {84},
	year = {2024},
	pages = {19-22},
	abstract = {<p>Rumen microbial communities (RMC) have been shown to be affected by the host individual{\textquoteright}s genetics and are heritable in sheep and cattle. RMC are predictive of feed related traits such as methane emissions, a by-product of the fermentation process. The aim of this project was to determine the variability in RMC amongst deer and to estimate heritability of the deer RMC. The rumen contents of 409 red and wapiti cross deer were sampled, and microbial DNA was sequenced. The genome taxonomy database was used to determine taxonomy assignment at the genus level. Sequences were used to determine similarity of RMC amongst individuals and presence of known microbes. Similar to other ruminants, Prevotella was the most abundant genus present in the deer RMC. Dimension reduction methods were applied to three standardisation methods to examine the variation in the RMC. Heritability estimates for the first two components of the reduced dimensions of the RMC ranged from 0.078 ({\textpm} 0.058) to 0.72 ({\textpm} 0.21) across the standardisation methods. This suggests that the deer RMC is controlled by host genomics.</p>
},
	keywords = {Deer, Heritability, Microbiome, Rumen},
	author = {Clarke, J.L. and Bilton, T.P. and Henry, H. and McRae, K.M. and Booker, F. and Veenvliet, B. and Bain, W. and Ward, J.A. and Thompson, B. and McEwan, J.C. and Perry, B.J. and Black, M.A. and Rowe, S.J.}
}
@article {4160,
	title = {BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Rate of Genetic Gain for Methane Emissions in a Maternal Production Flock},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {84},
	year = {2024},
	pages = {4-6},
	address = {Oamaru},
	abstract = {<p>Global warming attributed to methane emissions from livestock presents a significant global challenge to the agricultural sector. Although opportunities exist in intensive systems for feed additives, the only proven tool for permanent mitigation at a national level, across sectors, is animal breeding. It has been reported that enteric methane emission is a heritable trait, and that breeding is an effective mitigation strategy. The impacts of incorporating methane into existing breeding schemes are less understood. Selection for reduced methane emissions (measured by portable accumulation chamber; PAC) along with increased productivity (NZMW+FEC+DAGS+MEAT index) was implemented in 2017 in the Woodlands 2638 flock. The economic weighting for methane was NZ$100/tonne GWP100 CO2e. The economic weights for existing traits were unchanged. Breeding value trends per year for flock 2638 and the Dual Purpose industry average for born 2018 to 2023 progeny were estimated as -0.95 vs -0.01\%, -0.2 vs 0.06\%, 0.18 vs 0.12kg, 133 vs 89 cents, and 185 vs 110 cents for PACCH4gBV\%, PACCO2gBV\%, LW8gBV, NZMW and NZMW+FEC+DAGS+MEAT indexes respectively. Gene flow calculations suggest that methane emissions could be reduced by 27\% by 2050 while increasing per head productivity by $51.80. Continuation with current industry progress would achieve a 2.8\% reduction in methane emissions and $30.80 increase in per head productivity. In summary, methane emissions can be reduced while also increasing productivity faster than current industry progress.</p>
},
	keywords = {breeding, methane, PAC, sheep},
	author = {Booker, F. and McEwan, J.C. and Rowe, S.J.}
}
