Vol. 10, Special Issue 9 (2021)

Author(s):
Anubha Madhvi, Ram Dev Yadav, Madhu Mohini, Rishabh Chugh

Abstract:
The present study was undertaken to estimate the comparative nutrient utilisation and methane emission in cattle and buffaloes fed according to their requirements as per ICAR-2013 ^[12] standards. Eighteen lactating animals were selected for 90 days of experimental period. Animals were divided into three groups (n=6), Group-I had buffaloes, Group-II consisted Sahiwal and Group-III consisted Karan Fries cattle. Five days metabolism trial and 5 days Methane trial using SF₆ as tracer method were conducted during last month of the experiment. However, DMI was significantly (P<0.05) different in 1^st and 4^th fortnights in terms of per 100 kg body weight and per kg metabolic body weight. Nutrient intake per 100 kg body weight and per kg metabolic body weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher in KF whereas CFI per 100 kg body weight was higher in buffaloes. Enteric methane emission (224.45 ± 16.12 g/d), Methane energy (Mcal/d), Methane per kg of milk (28.06 ± 3.37 g/kg), Methane per kg DDMI (8.19± 0.06 g/kg) and Methane per kg CPI (1.68 ± 0.03 g/kg) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in buffaloes compared to other two groups. Loss of CH₄ energy (%) from energy intake GEI (6.84±0.47), DEI (11.14±0.73) and MEI (13.34±0.87) was higher in buffaloes than Sahiwal and KF cattle. On the basis on result out put it can be depicted that indigenous cattle emits less methane than the crossbred cattle and buffaloes.