Afshar Mirzaei-Aghsaghali  , Naser Maheri-Sis  , Ali Mirza-Aghazadeh  , Yahya Ebrahimnezhad  , Mohammad Reza Dastouri  , Abolfazl Aghajanzadeh Golshani  , 
    Estimation of Methane Production in Sheep Using Nutrient Composition of the Diet,
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 7,Issue 6,
    2008,
    Pages 765-770,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2008.765.770,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2008.765.770)
    Abstract: 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&lt;0.01). The Organic Matter (OM), DM, CP, CF, Ash contents of 2 species (legume and grass) were significantly different (p&lt;0.05). Methane production (g per day, g per kg BW and g per kg BW<SUP>0.75</SUP>) were similar in HAM and KAR hays (p&gt;0.05), whereas methane production (g per day, g per kg BW and g per kg BW<SUP>0.75</SUP>) in grass hay were significantly (p&lt;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 CH<SUB>4</SUB>.
    Keywords: Methane production;legume;grass;nutrient composition;sheep