CSIRO researchers have demonstrated that methane emissions from sheep can be inferred from carbon isotope signatures in wool, offering a low-cost alternative to traditional on-farm methane measurement tools.

They filed a provisional patent within a week of the discovery, and early controlled trials have supported the concept.

A CSIRO spokesperson says they are seeking industry partners to run larger-scale trials and push the isotope-based verification method toward market deployment.

A chance conference brought CSIRO together with fashion brand M.J. Bale, initiating collaborative work to validate sustainability credentials using this method.

Unlike current methane measurement methods that require expensive equipment and reliable internet connectivity, the wool-based approach is designed to be integrated and scalable for regional farming.

Geochemical findings indicate the test could also help identify and breed animals that naturally emit less methane, reducing emissions at the source.