Breeding sheep for increased feed efficiency (FE) and decreased methane emissions (ME) is an alternative for developing more sustainable sheep production systems. With the aim of generating genetic and genomic tools, we added in 2018 the evaluation of FE and greenhouse gases emissions to the usual phenotyping as part of the national genetic evaluation per breed, for wool, meat, growth, health and reproduction traits. This initiative provides the information to characterize FE and ME and estimate genetic parameters for Uruguayan sheep.

The anti-meat consumption trend is installed globally, where different organized and influencer collectives propose a transformation of agri-food systems and a diet practically free of red meat. The narrative is mainly based on the negative effects of meat consumption on human health, the environment, and cruelty to animals. However, evidence based on scientific information is counteracting these visions. At least 500 million people around the world are totally dependent on livestock for their livelihood and food security.

The anti-meat consumption trend is installed globally, where different organized and influencer collectives propose a transformation of agri-food systems and a diet practically free of red meat. The narrative is mainly based on the negative effects of meat consumption on human health, the environment, and cruelty to animals. However, evidence based on scientific information is counteracting these visions. At least 500 million people around the world are totally dependent on livestock for their livelihood and food security.

Breeding sheep for increased feed efficiency (FE) and decreased methane emissions (ME) is an alternative for developing more sustainable sheep production systems. With the aim of generating genetic and genomic tools, we added in 2018 the evaluation of FE and greenhouse gas emissions to the usual phenotyping as part of the national genetic evaluation per breed, for wool, meat, growth, health and reproduction traits. This initiative provides the information to characterize FE and ME and estimate genetic parameters for Uruguayan sheep.

Residual feed intake (RFI) has become in a widely spread index of feed efficiency, however, although most of beef cattle systems in the world are pasture-based, RFI evaluation and research is usually performed in confinement conditions. Currently, selection in favor of feed efficiency has an unclear effect on reproductive performance of grazing beef heifers.