Effect of pasture type (alfalfa vs. grass) on methane and carbon dioxide production by yearling beef heifers

被引:84
作者
Chaves, A. V.
Thompson, L. C.
Iwaasa, A. D.
Scott, S. L.
Olson, M. E.
Benchaar, C.
Veira, D. M.
McAllister, T. A.
机构
[1] Agr & Agri Food Canada, Res Ctr, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
[2] Semiarid Prairie Agr Res Ctr, Swift Current, SK S9H 3X2, Canada
[3] Res Ctr, Brandon, MB R7A 5Y3, Canada
[4] Bow Valley Res, Calgary, AB T2N 4G3, Canada
[5] Dairy & Swine Res & Dev Ctr, Lennoxville, PQ J1M 1Z3, Canada
[6] Range Res Unit, Kamloops, BC V2B 8A9, Canada
关键词
alfalfa; grass; grazing; legume; methane emissions;
D O I
10.4141/A05-081
中图分类号
S8 [畜牧、 动物医学、狩猎、蚕、蜂];
学科分类号
0905 ;
摘要
The objective of this study was to determine effect of pasture type on methane and carbon dioxide production by heifers grazing alfalfa or grass pastures at three sites across western Canada. All pastures were intensively managed so that heifers had ad libitum access to new forage material each day, and pastures were back-fenced to prevent the heifers accessing previously grazed areas. As measured using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique, total methane production at the Brandon, MB, and Swift Current, SK, sites was unaffected by pasture type (averaging 157.4 g CH4 head(-1) d(-1)), whereas at Lethbridge, AB, heifers grazing alfalfa produced more methane than did those on the grass pasture (162.8 vs. 113.5 g CH4 head(-1) d(-1); P < 0.05). Calculated with dry matter intake (DMI) estimated by alkane analysis, methane production per unit DMI was 39% lower from heifers consuming grass compared with alfalfa (P < 0.001). When intakes were estimated by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) model, CH4 production kg(-1) DMI did not differ (P > 0.05) between pasture types. Loss of gross energy intake (GEI) to methane, as estimated by alkane analysis, was 6.9% for heifers grazing grass, and 9.6% for heifers grazing alfalfa (P < 0.001). Calculated using CNCPS, losses were similar (P > 0.05) between grass and alfalfa (5.8 vs. 6.2% of GEI, respectively). Carbon dioxide production per unit DMI did not differ between pasture types, irrespective of method used to estimate intake (alkanes or CNCPS). The method used to predict intake can have a major influence on calculated values when methane emissions are expressed as a percentage of GEI in grazing ruminants. At each site, CH4 emissions and in vitro digestibility of the forage were influenced by the composition of the stand and the maturity of the forage at the time of harvest.
引用
收藏
页码:409 / 418
页数:10
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