Enteric Methane Emission, Energetic Efficiency and Energy Requirements for the Maintenance of Beef Cattle in the Tropics

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the energy balance of beef cattle by indirect animal calorimetry utilizing a ventilated head box respiration system. Fifteen native Thai bulls were randomly allocated to one of three dietary metabolizable energy intake (MEI) levels (1.1 × maintenance, 1.5 × maintenance and 1.9 × maintenance) in a completely randomized design for a 116 day feeding trial. Animals were allocated to individual metabolic cages for the determination of digestibility and energy balance. Heat production was determined from oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide and methane production. The results showed that dry matter, organic matter and crude protein intake were increased (P < 0.01), but digestibility of all nutrients, except neutral detergent fiber, was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by MEI levels. The energy loss in feces and urine (% of gross energy intake) were not different (P > 0.05); however, enteric methane conversion rate (% of methane energy loss per gross energy intake) and heat energy production loss (% gross energy intake) were linearly decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing MEI levels. Methane conversion rates ranged from 8.4 to 10.0% and appeared to have been underestimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 6.5% default values set for cattle fed low quality crop residues and by-products. The estimate of metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance was measured using linear regression analysis derived for native Thai cattle was 520 kilojoules per kilogram of metabolic body weight per day. Increased dietary intake levels reduced enteric methane emissions in beef cattle fed on tropical feedstuffs. The results of the present study indicated that greater dietary intake feeding strategy in cattle fed above the maintenance level resulted in improved energetic efficiency utilization, and thus improved energy retention because of the reduction of enteric methane energy emission and heat production.

Chemical composition and nutritive values of cassava pulp for cattle

“…These ratios were similar to those obtained by Tangjitwattanachai et al. (), who reported that the ME/DE ratio of Thai native beef cattle ranges from 0.84 to 0.86 and varies depending on the feed. Moreover, the ratios we obtained are consistent with those ofAgricultural Research Council (ARC, ) and the Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC, ), who reported ME/DE ratios ranging from 0.81 to 0.86.…”

Development of methane conversion factor models for Zebu beef cattle fed low‐quality crop residues and by‐products in tropical regions

“…This is a particular problem given that stocks of Zebu (Bos indicus) beef cattle in developing countries in tropical regions now account for more than half of the global beef cattle population (FAO, 2015). Both Kurihara, Magner, Hunter, and McCrabb (1999) and our previous studies (Chaokaur, Nishida, Phaowphaisal, & Sommart, 2015;Chuntrakort et al, 2014;Tangjitwattanachai, Phaowphaisal, Otsuka, & Sommart, 2015) have consistently found the Y m value of Zebu beef cattle production in tropical regions to be much higher than those estimated by IPCC (2006).…”

“…This is a particular problem given that stocks of Zebu ( Bos indicus ) beef cattle in developing countries in tropical regions now account for more than half of the global beef cattle population (FAO, ). Both Kurihara, Magner, Hunter, and McCrabb () and our previous studies (Chaokaur, Nishida, Phaowphaisal, & Sommart, ; Chuntrakort et al., ; Tangjitwattanachai, Phaowphaisal, Otsuka, & Sommart, ) have consistently found the Y m value of Zebu beef cattle production in tropical regions to be much higher than those estimated by IPCC (). As the diets fed to these Zebu beef cattle typically consist of poor‐quality crop residues and by‐products compared with those fed to B. taurus (Kearl, ; NRC, , WTSR, ), extant Y m models may be inaccurate for the Zebu beef population.…”

“…Conventionally, it has been known that Y m values reduce as ME intake (Blaxter & Clapperton, ; Chaokaur et al., ), feed quality (starch content), energy content (IPCC, ; Johnson & Johnson, ; Kurihara et al., ), and fat content rise (Chuntrakort et al., ; Patra, ). Our previous studies showed that an increase in feeding level not only reduces Y m values, but also improves beef productivity; thus, reducing the intensity of enteric methane is a strategic feeding management approach (Chaokaur et al., ; Tangjitwattanachai et al., ).…”

“…A dataset was constructed from 18 energy balance or feeding experiments conducted from 1999 to 2015 (total 53 observations (n) as the feeding treatment means; from peer-reviewed papers, proceedings, theses, and unpublished results from our research station) of Zebu and Zebu crossbred beef cattle fed low-quality crop residues and by-products in tropical regions (Canesin et al, 2014;Chaokaur, Nishida, & Sommart, 2010;Chaokaur et al, 2015;Chuntrakort et al, 2014;Hayashi et al, 2010 [unpublished results]; Kaewpila, Suzuki, & Sommart, 2015;Kennedy & Charmley, 2012;Khuamankgorn, Namsele, Angthong, & Martosoth, 2009;Kongphitee, Udchachon, Otsuka, & Sommart, 2010;Kongphitee et al, 2015 [unpublished results];Kurihara et al, 1999;Moonmat, Otsuka, Udchachon, & Sommart, 2009;Nitipot, Pattarajinda, & Sommart, 2010;Phromloungsri, Hayashi, Otsuka, Udchachon, & Sommart, 2012;Sitthiwong, 2010;Suzuki et al, 2008;Tangjitwattanachai et al, 2015;Tomkins, McGinn, Turner, & Charmley, 2011). Diets that contained feed additive reagents for mitigating Y m such as monensin were not included in the dataset, while starving animals and animals fed good-quality forage and legumes or lipids supplements were also excluded.…”