title: Influence of different supplements and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars on intake, digestible variables and methane production of dairy heifers under tropical conditions.
abstract: The sulphur hexafluoride (SF(6)) gas tracer method was used to measure methane (CH(4)) production of crossbred (3/4 Holstein x Zebu) dairy heifers fed two types of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.; cultivar IAC-862480 (CC1) or cultivar IAC-873184 (CC2)) and supplemented with urea or concentrate. The study was performed at Embrapa Southeast Cattle, São Carlos, SP, Brazil, using a completely randomised design. Differences between treatments were significant for digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and energy. When animals were supplemented with urea differences between sugarcane cultivars did occur for NDF consumption, but not for daily methane production. This suggest that variation in chemical composition of sugarcane did not affect bovine ruminal CH(4) emissions. Concentrate inclusion in animal diet increased digestible organic matter intake, improving the nutrient intake by animals, but did not reduce CH(4) production expressed as a percentage of gross energy intake.
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Sudoete da Bahia, Itapetinga, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcio dos Santos
authors.initials: Mdos S
authors.lastname: Pedreira
authors.forename: Telma Teresinha
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Berchelli
authors.forename: Odo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Primavesi
authors.forename: Simone Gisele
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frighetto
authors.forename: Magda Aparecida
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Lima
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D004063:Digestion; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D031786:Saccharum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D008697:Methane