Animals (Dec 2022)

Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Methane Emissions of Mediterranean Buffaloes Using a Laser Methane Detector

  • Lydia Lanzoni,
  • Mizeck G. G. Chagunda,
  • Isa Fusaro,
  • Matteo Chincarini,
  • Melania Giammarco,
  • Alberto Stanislao Atzori,
  • Michele Podaliri,
  • Giorgio Vignola

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243487
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 24
p. 3487

Abstract

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A direct assessment of the methane (CH4) emission level and its variability factors is needed in each animal species in order to target the best mitigation strategy for the livestock sector. Therefore, the present study aimed to (1) test a laser methane detector (LMD) for the first time in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (IMB), a non-invasive tool to quantify CH4 emissions; (2) test the effect of season on the emissions; and (3) compare the results measured directly with the ones estimated with the existing equations. CH4 emissions of twenty non-productive IMB, under the same feeding regimen, were monitored for 12 days in summer and winter. Significantly higher THI (74.46 ± 1.88 vs. 49.62 ± 4.87; p p p p < 0.001), suggesting the need for further research in this area.

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