Methane Emission and Milk Production from Jersey Cows Grazing Perennial Ryegrass–White Clover and Multispecies Forage Mixtures

 Methane is a major constituent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ruminants, and
mitigation strategies are needed to alleviate this negative environmental impact while maintaining
the environmental and other benefits of grazing systems. Forages containing plant-specialized
metabolites (PSM), particularly condensed tannins, may help reduce enteric methane (CH4) emis-
sions. However, information on in vivo CH4 emissions from cows grazing mixtures that contain
bioactive herbs is scarce. Accordingly, this study compared a binary mixture of perennial ryegrass
(Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) against a diverse mixture of six additional species,
including tannin-rich species like birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and salad burnet (Sanguisorba
minor), in a full-grazing dairy system. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured using the SF6 tracer
technique. Cows grazing diverse mixtures increased their energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield by
4% (p < 0.001) compared with binary mixtures. However, CH4 emissions per kg ECM were also
11% greater for the diverse mixtures (p < 0.05). The very high feed quality and milk yield from both
mixtures explained the low CH4 emissions recorded relative to the milk output. The addition of
forbs did not provide additional benefits at these intensities, as they were maintained in low yield
shares throughout.

Rechte

Nutzung und Vervielfältigung:


CC BY 4.0

Bitte beachten Sie, dass einzelne Bestandteile der Publikation anderweitigen Lizenz- bzw. urheberrechtlichen Bedingungen unterliegen können.

Zitieren

Zitierform:
Zitierform konnte nicht geladen werden.