Methane emission of Blackbelly rams consuming whole sugarcane forage compared with Dichanthium sp. hay

Dietary strategies are options to mitigate enteric methane from ruminants. This trial has been performed to estimate the production of methane with a sugar-rich forage versus a high-fibre grass. Comparative intake, digestion and methane emission of whole Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) plant and of Dichanthium sp. hay (from permanent grassland) were studied. Eight Blackbelly rams (40.1±1.4kg on average) were used in a 2×2 crossover design. All the animals received two diets ad libitum: whole sugarcane plant (WSC) supplemented with urea (4.2g/kg dry matter) and a mature Dichanthium sp. hay (H). Measurements were: voluntary intake, total-tract digestibility, methane production using the SF6 method, rumen concentration of volatile fatty acids, ammonia and protozoa measured by counting. Organic matter intakes were similar between WSC and H treatments, averaging 48.0g/LW0.75. Intakes of soluble carbohydrate (SC) were higher with WSC than with H (22.7 and 5.8g/LW0.75, respectively for WSC and H; P