Objective: Portable laser methane detectors (LMDs) may be an economical means of estimating CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from ruminants. We validated an LMD-based approach and then used that approach to evaluate CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from indigenous dairy cows in a dryland area of Ethiopia. Methods: First, we validated our LMD-based approach in Simmental crossbred beef cattle (n = 2) housed in respiration chambers and fed either a high- or low-concentrate diet. From the results of the validation, we constructed an estimation equation to determine CH<sub>4</sub> emissions from LMD CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations. Next, we used our validated LMD approach to examine CH<sub>4</sub> emissions in Fogera dairy cows grazed for 8 h/d (GG, n = 4), fed indoors on natural-grassland hay (CG1, n = 4), or fed indoors on Napier-grass (<i>Pennisetum purpureum</i>) hay (CG2, n = 4). All the cows were supplemented with concentrate feed. Results: The exhaled CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations measured by LMD were linearly correlated with the CH<sub>4</sub> emissions determined by infrared-absorption-based gas analyzer (r<sup>2</sup> = 0.55). The estimation equation used to determine CH<sub>4</sub> emissions (y, mg/min) from LMD CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations (x, ppm m) was y = 0.4259x+38.61. Daily CH<sub>4</sub> emissions of Fogera cows estimated by using the equation did not differ among the three groups; however, a numerically greater milk yield was obtained from the CG2 cows than from the GG cows, suggesting that Napiergrass hay might be better than natural-grassland hay for indoor feeding. The CG1 cows had higher CH<sub>4</sub> emissions per feed intake than the other groups, without significant increases in milk yield and body-weight gain, suggesting that natural-grassland hay cannot be recommended for indoor-fed cows. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the potential of using LMDs to valuate feeding regimens rapidly and economically for dairy cows in areas under financial constraint, while taking CH<sub>4</sub> emissions into consideration.
This experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effects of intercropping vetch species and harvesting age on the morphological characteristics, forage yield, and chemical composition of sole and intercropped forages. The experiment was laid out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement consisting of two factors ((five forage varieties (four vetches & one desho) ∗ two harvesting ages)) for a total of ten treatments with three replications. The experimental treatments were sole desho (Var-Kulumsa), desho+V. villosa (Var-Lalisa), desho+V. villosa (Var-Gebisa), desho+V. sativa, and desho+V. dasycarpa (Var-Lana) at 90 and 120 harvesting days. All morphological characteristics forage yield and chemical composition data were collected from two middle rows by excluding the border rows. The result showed that the interaction ( P < 0.001 ) effect of harvesting age and intercropping of vetch species and varieties with desho grass was observed on the morphological characteristics, dry matter yield, and chemical composition of intercropped forage. Intercropping of vetch species/varieties with desho grass had shown significantly ( P < 0.001 ) higher dry matter yield than sole desho except desho with V. sativa. The highest crude protein (CP) content was obtained from desho grass intercropped with two V. villosa (Var-Lalisa and Var-Gebisa) at 90 days of harvesting age. This CP content of intercropped desho+Vetch species/varieties was double in amount than the CP obtained from sole desho in these species at 90 days of harvesting age. Moreover, the highest CPY was recorded from two V. villosa varieties (Var-Lalisa and Var-Gebisa). Hence, for the intercropping of vetch with desho grasses, the two V. villosa varieties (Var-Lalisa and Var-Gebisa) are recommended for on-farm evaluation and demonstration in the study area and similar agro-ecologies during the establishment phase at 90 days of harvesting age. It is possible to conclude that the intercropping of desho with these selected vetch species could be better than sole desho grass in terms of forage yield and quality in the highlands of northwestern Ethiopia to maximize ruminant livestock production. Hence, for the intercropping of vetch with desho grasses, the two V. villosa varieties (Var-Lalisa and Var-Gebisa) are recommended for on-farm evaluation and demonstration in the study area and similar agro-ecologies during the establishment phase at 90 days of harvesting age.
The objective of the field experiment was to evaluate the agronomic performance and nutritive values of brachiaria grass in response to cultivars, soil type, and fertilizer application. A randomized complete block design containing three replications with three factors (fertilizer, cultivars, and soil types) was used. The cultivars were Brachiaria mutica, Brachiaria hybrid Mulato-II, Brachiaria hybrid Mulato-I, Brachiaria birzantha Marandu, and Brachiaria birzantha La liberated. The root splits were means of propagation for all cultivars. The spacing between blocks and plots was 1 meter while between plants and rows was 0.5 meter. Agronomic performance such as plant height (PH), number of tillers (NT), number and length of leaves, forage dry matter (DM) yield, and nutritive values of the cultivars were measured and analyzed. Forage samples were taken at 90 days harvesting age. A general linear model of statistical analysis system (SAS) version 9.0 is used as a statistical method. The results revealed that all three factors interaction was highly significant ( p < 0.001 ) on all agronomic and nutritive values of Brachiaria grass cultivars. The agronomic performance and most of its nutritive values of brachiaria cultivars were higher ( p < 0.05 ) at black soil than in red soil; except for crude protein. The Brachiria mutica cultivar had a higher agronomic performance at both soil types than hybrid Mulato-II and hybrid Mulato-I. Based on the response recorded, it can be concluded that hybrid Mulato-II, B. mutica, and hybrid Mulato-I cultivars were performing better in the study areas. As a recommendation, farmers should consider cultivar, soil type, and presence of fertilizer in establishing brachiaria grass in the production system.
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