Abstract
The aim of this work was to develop an equation to predict methane yield (CH4, g/kg dry matter intake) from dairy goats using milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Data from 12 research papers (30 treatments and 223 individual observations) were used in a meta-regression. Since most of the selected studies did not extensively report milk fat composition, palmitic acid (C16:0) was selected as a potential predictor. The obtained equation was: CH4 (g/kg dry matter intake) = 0.525 × C16:0 (% in milk fat). The coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.46), the root mean square error of prediction (RMSPE = 3.16 g/kg dry matter intake), and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC = 0.65) indicated that the precision, accuracy and reproducibility of the model were moderate. The relationship between CH4 yield and C16:0 content in milk fat would be supported by the fact that diet characteristics that increase the amount of available hydrogen in the rumen for archaea to produce CH4, simultaneously favor the conditions for the synthesis of C16:0 in the mammary gland. The obtained equation might be useful, along with previous published equations based on diet characteristics, to evaluate the environmental impact of dairy goat farming.
Highlights
Goat farming is considered an important source of income and nutrition for poor and marginal farmers around the world
The obtained equation might be useful, along with previous published equations based on diet characteristics, to evaluate the environmental impact of dairy goat farming
Several equations to predict enteric CH4 emission from dairy cows using animal and diet characteristics as well as milk fatty acid (FA) profiles have been developed through meta-analyses of published research [3,4,5,6]
Summary
Goat farming is considered an important source of income and nutrition for poor and marginal farmers around the world The resilience of this species to harsh conditions is remarkable, but their enteric methane (CH4) emission along with productive performance should be taken into account in the changing climate scenario [1]. Several equations to predict enteric CH4 emission from dairy cows using animal and diet characteristics as well as milk fatty acid (FA) profiles have been developed through meta-analyses of published research [3,4,5,6]. A meta-analysis of published research data obtained in dairy goat studies could help to quantitatively relate CH4 emission to milk FA profile in these animals, as an alternative to the scarcity of knowledge on the matter. The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis and a meta-regression to quantify the relationship between CH4 and milk FA profile in dairy goats
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