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The Mitscherlich equation: an alternative to linear models of methane emissions from cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

J. A. N. Mills
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
E. Kebreab
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
L. A. Crompton
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
J. France
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
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Extract

Previous attempts to apply statistical models, which correlate nutrient intake with methane production, have been of limited value where predictions are obtained for nutrient intakes and diet types outside those used in model construction. Dynamic mechanistic models have proved more suitable for extrapolation, but they remain computationally expensive and are not applied easily in practical situations. The first objective of this research focussed on employing conventional techniques to generate statistical models of methane production appropriate to UK dairy systems. The second objective was to evaluate these models and a model published previously using both UK and North American datasets. Thirdly, non-linear models were considered as alternatives to the conventional linear regressions. The UK calorimetry data used to construct the linear models were also used to develop the three non-linear alternatives that were all of modified Mitscherlich (monomolecular) form.

Type
Lactation
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

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