Genetic selection is one of the most promising tools based on the existing genetic diversity in ruminants. Genetic improvement to reduce methane emissions is based on identifying and breeding cattle with low methane emissions

Organisation

Key reasons to attend this course

know the advantages and disadvantages of different methane measuring devices on farm;
understand how to screen and manipulate raw datasets provided by methane measuring devices;
be able to create genetic models and estimate genetic parameters for methane traits;
be aware of different proxies to estimate methane emissions;
understand the concept of breeding programmes and how to implement methane traits;
know about different breeding programmes implementing methane traits.

Lecturers

García, Aser – NEIKER, Vitoria-Gasteiz, (Spain)
Goiri, Idoia – NEIKER, Vitoria-Gasteiz, (Spain)
González-Recio, Oscar – INIA-CSIC, Madrid (Spain)
Gredler-Grandl, Birgit – WUR, Wageningen (The Netherlands)
Manzanilla-Pech, Coralia – WUR, Wageningen (The Netherlands)
Montgomery, Hayden – Global Methane Hub, Montevideo (Uruguay)
Pryce, Jennie – La Trobe Univ., Melbourne (Australia)
Vanlierde, Amelie – CRA-W, Gembloux (Belgium)
Yáñez-Ruiz, David - CSIC-EEZ, Granada (Spain)

Applied approach
(lectures, case studies & technical visits)

Leading international experts

Face-to-face and online

Programme

  • 0. Welcome to participants, message from organisers. Programme explanation (1 hour)
  • 1. Overview of global GHG emissions and genetics developments for methane mitigation in ruminants (1 hour)
  • 2. Methane measurement techniques (9 hours)
    • 2.1. Laser devices
    • 2.2. Non-Dispersive Infra-Red devices (Different types of sniffers)
    • 2.3. GreenFeed
    • 2.4. Respiration chambers
    • 2.5. Portable accumulation chambers and others
    • 2.6. Discussion session: Common problems and solutions for measuring methane in field
    • 2.7. Field trip: Demonstration of different devices for methane measurement
      • 2.7.1. Fraisoro Eskola, Zizurkil
      • 2.7.2. NEIKER, Vitoria-Gasteiz
  • 3. Manipulation and processing raw data from sniffers and GreenFeed and translation into different methane trait definitions (4 hours)
    • 3.1. Definition of methane phenotypes in cattle (methane yield, methane concentration, methane production, methane intensity, residual methane)
    • 3.2. Practical work: Editing raw sniffer data (quality control, definitions of traits)
    • 3.3. Practical work: Editing raw GreenFeed data (quality control, definitions of traits)
  • 4. Estimation of genetic parameters and genetic models for methane emission (5.5 hours)
    • 4.1. Introduction to genetic models (variance component and breeding value estimation
    • 4.2. Practical work: Development of a genetic model for methane emission in cattle
      • 4.2.1. Introduction to software
      • 4.2.2. Setting parameter files and running program
      • 4.2.3. Interpretation of results
    • 4.3. Discussion session
  • 5. Overview of proxies to estimate methane emission (4 hours)
    • 5.1. Mid infrared spectra, MIR
      • 5.1.1. Introduction to MIR
      • 5.1.2. How to predict methane emission based on MIR (set-up, validation studies, methods, important considerations)
    • 5.2. Microbiome
      • 5.2.1. The role of the microbiome in methane production
      • 5.2.2. Approach to predict methane from rumen microbial community
      • 5.2.3. Aggregated variables as proxies for rumen microbiota in Spain
  • 6. Implementation of methane traits in breeding programmes (4.5 hours)
    • 6.1. Introduction to breeding programmes
    • 6.2. Case study: Examples of implementation methane traits in breeding programmes
      • 6.2.1. Spain
      • 6.2.2. The Netherlands
      • 6.2.3. New Zealand
      • 6.2.4. Canada
      • 6.2.5. Australia
    • 6.3. Discussion session
  • 7. Summary and final remarks (1 hour)

Train at an outstanding international institution

Registration

The course is designed for professionals with a university degree, and oriented towards researchers, academic and decision-makers from public and private institutions, PhD students and technical advisors involved in the development and implementation of cattle breeding and genetic programmes.

- 30 places will be available for face-to-face participation with access to lectures, practical sessions, case studies and technical trips (30 hours).

- 10 places will be available for online participation with access to lectures, practical sessions, and case studies (24 hours).

Candidates may apply online at the following address: https://www.admission.iamz.ciheam.org/en/
Applications must include the curriculum vitae and a copy of the support documents most related to the subject of the course.
The deadline for the submission of applications is 15 November 2024. If places are still available after this date, applications will remain open until 15 December 2024 only for candidates who are not applying for financial support and do not require a visa.
Applications from candidates requiring authorisation to attend the course may be accepted provisionally.
This course is funded by the European Union so there are no registration fees but participants must cover their own travel and accommodation costs.

Candidates from CIHEAM and GRA member countries and other European countries may apply, during the registration process, for financial support covering totally or partially the cost of travel and accommodation.

Candidates from other countries who require financial support should apply directly to other national or international institutions.

It is compulsory for participants to have medical insurance valid for Spain. Proof of insurance cover must be given at the beginning of the course. Those who so wish may participate in a collective insurance policy taken out by the Organization, upon payment of the stipulated sum.

CIHEAM Zaragoza

Av. Montañana 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain

www.iamz.ciheam.org

iamz@iamz.ciheam.org

+34 976716000

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