A meta-analysis of faecal output and nutrient composition, and potential methane emission from manure of dairy cows
Pekka Huhtanen, S.J. Krizsan, Mohammad Ramin
Abstract
A meta-analysis was conducted to predict potential methane emission from manure in dairy cows. Biogas production from manure offers considerable environmental benefits and renewable energy is produced. The developed models predicted faecal concentrations of potentially digestible neutral detergent fibre, neutral detergent solubles and crude protein with adjusted root mean square errors of 15.4, 12.9 and 5.0 g/kg dry matter, respectively. Average model predicted potential methane production (adjusted root mean square error) of 1040 (53.9) g/d per cow, 51.9 (2.5) g/kg dry matter intake and 203 (3.2) g/kg faecal organic matter (volatile solids). Potential methane production from dairy cow manure can be predicted from diet and animal characteristics. Potential methane production is positively related to diet digestibility and daily feed intake. Determination of indigestible neutral detergent fibre concentration by a long ruminal in situ incubation is a useful tool in predictions of potential methane production in dairy cow manure.