Abstract

LOPEZ, M.C. et al. Determination of methane production in goats fed different cereal diets. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2011, vol.60, n.232, pp.943-951. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922011000400011.

Three primiparous 1.5 year old Murciano-Granadina female goats in maintenance were used. Their average body weight was 33.08 ± 2.1 kg. The objective was to determine methane production in two diets differing of the type of cereal grain (barley or corn). Two consecutive digestibility trials were conducted using diets differing in the cereal type (barley or maize grains). The adaptation period has a duration of 7 days and the digestibility period 5 days. Methane production (CH₄) was determined by indirect calorimetry with an open circuit mask adapted to small ruminants. Methane production was determined on day four of digestibility trial, before feeding and three more measurements every 35 minutes during feeding. There were no significant differences neither in dry matter intake (758 g MS/goat and day on average) nor in dry matter digestibility coefficients (CDMS= 69.2% on average). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the methane production during the feeding time with levels of 0.69 and 0.77 l/h for the barley and maize based diets, respectively. No significant differences between diets were observed when CH₄ was expressed on gross energy intake basis, and the value obtained for the experimental mixed diets was 4.8.

Keywords : Ym.

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