Methane production in Thai native beef cattle fed low quality roughage based diets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate methane production in Thai native cattle fed dried Ruzi grass or rice straw based diets. Twelve Thai native bull (body weight 342.25±30.46 kg.) were used in this experiment. Dietary treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisted of ad libitum mixed 70% of concentrate with 30% of dried Ruzi grass based diet (T1), ad libitum 70% of concentrate with 30% of rice straw based diet (T2) and 70% of concentrate with 30% of rice straw based diet stair step feeding (T3). The nutrient intake and methane production were not significant different (P>0.05) between animals fed dried Ruzi grass and rice straw based diets. Dry matter and organic matter intake (on the basis of % BW and g/kg W0.75/d) in animals offered stair step feeding higher (P<0.05) than in animals fed ad libitum of rice straw based diet. Methane production was ranged 144.82-190.3 L/day and methane energy was ranged 5.72-7.52 MJ/day. Methane production pattern and cumulative at various time of day were not significant different (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. The results indicated that methane production was not differ among low quality roughage based diets.