In vitro fermentability and methane production of some alternative forages in Australia

Zoey Durmic, P.J. Moate, J.L. Jacobs, Joy Vadhanabhuti, Phil E. Vercoe

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paperpeer-review

    14 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    © CSIRO 2016. A study was conducted to examine in vitro ruminal fermentation profiles and methane production of some alternative forage species (n = 10) in Australia. Extent of fermentation was assessed using an in vitro batch fermentation system, where total gas production, methane production, and concentrations in ruminal fluid of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia were measured. Forages varied in their fermentability, with highest total gas, methane, VFA and ammonia production recorded from selected samples of Brassica napus L. cv. Winfred. Lowest methane production (i.e. 30% less than that formed by the highest-producing one) was observed in Plantago lanceolata L. cv. Tonic and Cichorium intybus L. cv. Choice. Selected plants, including P. lanceolata L. cv. Tonic, Brassica rapa L. cv. Marco, Brassica napus L. cv. Hunter had reduced acetate:propionate ratio and/or ammonia concentration, along with relatively low methane production compared with other species tested, while overall fermentation was not affected. It was concluded that selected novel forages have some advantageous fermentability profiles in the rumen and, in particular, inhibit methane production. However, before these can be recommended as valuable supplementary feedstuffs for ruminants in Australia, further studies are needed to confirm these effects over a range of samples, conditions and in vivo.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAnimal Production Science
    EditorsRichard Eckard, Chris Anderson
    PublisherCSIRO Publishing
    Pages641-645
    Number of pages5
    Volume56
    Edition3
    ISBN (Print)18360939
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016
    EventGreenhouse Gas and Animal Agriculture Conference (GGAA2016) - Melbourne, Australia
    Duration: 14 Feb 201618 Feb 2016

    Publication series

    NameAnimal Production Science
    ISSN (Print)1836-0939

    Conference

    ConferenceGreenhouse Gas and Animal Agriculture Conference (GGAA2016)
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CityMelbourne
    Period14/02/1618/02/16

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