Methane is a potent greenhouse gas produced by ruminant animals, such as cattle and sheep, which contributes to climate change.
If we want to reduce these emissions from livestock, we have to be able to measure them.
So, in Palmerston North, New Zealand, crown research institute AgResearch and the New Zealand Agricultural Greeenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) operate respiration chambers that measure the amount of methane generated by individual sheep and cattle.
These chambers allow researchers to test the effectiveness of various methods to reduce methane emissions, including use of different feeds, feed supplements/inhibitors, vaccines, and animal genetics.