The effect of dietary coconut kernels, whole cottonseeds and sunflower seeds on the intake, digestibility and enteric methane emissions of Zebu beef cattle fed rice straw based diets

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.…”

“…() demonstrated that the categories of cattle (beef or dairy) and roughage (fresh forage, conserved forage, straw) are the primary factors affecting Y m values. 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.…”

Agricultural by-Products as Feed for Ruminants in Tropical Area: Nutritive Value and Mitigating Methane Emission

“…A study by Chuntrakort et al, (2014) on Native Thai and Brahman crossbreed cattle fed rice straw as a based diet resulted in a reduction in methane emission up to 50.1% by replacing concentrate feeds to oil plants such as whole cotton seed, whole sunflower seed and coconut kernel. Also, a recent study by Ampapon et al (2016) on swamp buffaloes consuming rice straw, recommended urea supplements of 60-90 g/head/day when fed with cassava hay in order to reduce methane production by 16.8-18.8%.…”