Enteric Methane Emission from Sheep Fed with Rhodes Grass Hay (Chloris gayana) Alone or Supplemented with Dried Distillers’ Grains with Solubles

Abstract

Livestock systems based on subtropical and tropical pastures are characterized by the low productivity of livestock due to the poor nutritional value of the forage (low nitrogen concentration and digestibility, and high fiber and lignin concentrations). These conditions lead to low productivity and, consequently, high absolute emissions of methane (CH4) per unit of product. Dry distilled grains with solubles (DDGS) are the main by-product resulting from ethanol production, and they are characterized by their high-energy fibrous and protein content, thus becoming an option for the supplementation of low-quality forage. This research investigated the effects of dietary DDGS inclusion on dry matter digestibility (DMD) and enteric CH4 emission. Eight adult sheep of 64 ± 8 kg live weight were used. The duration of the study was 54 days, divided into two periods (changeover design), which comprised a 17-day pre-experimental period and 10 days for experimental data collection. Animals were allocated to one of two treatments used: hay (H) as a control treatment, where animals were fed with Rhodes grass hay alone; and H + DDGS, where animals were fed with H supplemented with DDGS. CH4 emissions were estimated using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique. Diets containing DDGS increased DMI by 22% (p < 0.05) and reduced daily CH4 emissions by 24% (g/d), the CH4 yield by 35% (g/kg DMI), and the average value of CH4 energy per gross energy intake (Ym) by 44%, compared to the control treatment (p < 0.05). The experiment demonstrated that supplementation with DDGS in low-quality roughage reduced daily CH4 emissions, yields, and Ym.

Impact of Haemonchus contortus infection on feed intake, digestion, liveweight gain, and enteric methane emission from Red Maasai and Dorper sheep

“…Comparison of emissions across experiments is more relevant when emissions are expressed in terms of CH 4 yield (e.g., g/kg DMI, g/kg DOMI, and on energy basis, MJ CH 4 /MJ GEI). The CH 4 yield found in this study (23.3-26.4 g/kg DMI) is within the range found by other studies in tropical environments with tropical low-quality forages (Hunter, 2007;Archimède et al, 2018;Costa et al, 2020;Gere et al, 2022). For example, Archimède et al (2018), reported CH 4 yields in the range of 15-29 g/kg DMI from sheep fed low quality C4 grasses; whereas Hunter (2007) and Gere et al (2022) reported even a higher CH 4 yield (31 g/kg DMI each) from cattle fed on Angleton grass and sheep fed on Rhodes grass hay (a forage similar to that used in the present study), respectively.…”

Exploring the Feeding Dynamics: A Review of Hay Utilization in Ruminant Nutrition

“…This positive effect was linked to an increased dry matter intake, as well as a higher digestibility and energy concentration in the diet. As a result, the study suggests that utilizing industrial byproducts as a supplement for low-quality diets could be a promising approach to mitigating methane emissions (Gere et al, 2022). In conclusion of studies discussed above which highlights various alternative forages and supplements that can positively influence the performance and health of livestock.…”