TY - JOUR T1 - Estimation of Methane Production in Sheep Using Nutrient Composition of the Diet AU - , Afshar Mirzaei-Aghsaghali AU - , Naser Maheri-Sis AU - , Ali Mirza-Aghazadeh AU - , Yahya Ebrahimnezhad AU - , Mohammad Reza Dastouri AU - , Abolfazl Aghajanzadeh Golshani JO - Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances VL - 7 IS - 6 SP - 765 EP - 770 PY - 2008 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1680-5593 DO - javaa.2008.765.770 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2008.765.770 KW - Methane production KW -legume KW -grass KW -nutrient composition KW -sheep AB - This study was conducted to compare methane production in legume (two common Iranian alfalfa varieties) and grass (quackgrass; QCK) as forage sources in sheep nutrition by using nutrient composition of the diet. Each of the 2 hays of legume (Hamedani; HAM and Kareyonge; KAR varieties) and grass (QCK) were offered ad libitum to three Gezel rams. No significant difference found between Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Ash and Ether Extract (EE) of 2 alfalfa varieties, although the difference for Crude Fiber (CF) was significant (p<0.01). The Organic Matter (OM), DM, CP, CF, Ash contents of 2 species (legume and grass) were significantly different (p<0.05). Methane production (g per day, g per kg BW and g per kg BW0.75) were similar in HAM and KAR hays (p>0.05), whereas methane production (g per day, g per kg BW and g per kg BW0.75) in grass hay were significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of legume hay. Calculations based on nutrient composition of the diet indicate that grass hay can have a higher methane production than legume resulting to gross energy lost as CH4. ER -