Effects of Feeding a Commercial Starch Binding Agent during Heat Stress on Enteric Methane Emission, Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Contents, and Diet Digestibility of Merino Lambs

Twenty-four Merino lambs were allocated to three dietary treatment groups determine the effects of a starch and protein binding agent heat stress on methane (CH4) emissions rumen parameters. The diets wheat-based diet (WD), 2% Bioprotect™ (Bioprotect™, RealisticAgri, Rutland, UK) treated (BD), maize-based (MD) for 3 periods 1-week duration. During Period 1 (P1) maintained under thermoneutral conditions at 1.7 × Maintenance (M) level. P2 P3, cyclic fed M 2.0 M, respectively. Total CH4 production was lower BD than WD diet, which in turn MD (p < 0.001). during P1 with P3 intermediate = 0.04). Rumen total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations higher 0.01). TVFA Whole tract digestibility In conclusion, feeding reduces without reducing digestibility.