Author(s): PEDREIRA, M. dos S.; OLIVEIRA, S. G. de; PRIMAVESI, O.; LIMA, M. A. de; FRIGHETTO, R. T. S.; BERCHIELLI, T. T.

Summary: Abstract: Using sorghum silage, the effect of roughage/concentrate ratios was evaluated on nutrient intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters and methane production by beef cattle. Three treatments (0, 30 and 60% of concentrate in DM of the diet) were distributed in three Latin squares, with nine animals and three periods. Dry matter intake increased as the grain concentration in diet increased; pH showed opposite behavior. Methane emissions were lower for animals fed the diet exclusively with sorghum silage as compared with those fed 30% of concentrate, but was similar to that of animals receiving 60% of concentrate. Losses of ingested gross energy as methane were reduced by 33% when grain concentration was increased in the diet. Concentrations of propionic and butyric acids were greater in diets with grain concentrate; acetic acid concentration was not affected. Concentrate in diet increases available energy for the metabolism, measured by lower losses of ingested gross energy as ruminal methane.

Publication year: 2013

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Environment

Keywords: Efeito estufa, Gado de corte, Greenhouse gases, Metano, Nutritive value, Nutrição animal, Rumen fermentation, SF6, Sorgo, Sulfur hexafluoride