Effects of Replacing Alfalfa Hay with Amaranthus caudatus Hay on Digestibility, Methane Emissions, and Microbial Protein Efficiency in Ruminant Diets

Özkan Ç. Ö., Selçuk B., Bakır T., Bilal Y., Kamalak A.

JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY, vol.76, pp.9610-9616, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 76
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.12681/jhvms.39405
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF THE HELLENIC VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.9610-9616
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects on fermentation parameters of replacing al-falfa hay in ruminant diets with amarant (Amaranthus caudatus) hay. Diets containing amaranth hay at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% were created using in vitro gas generation, preserving isocaloric and nitrogenic levels. There were significant changes in true digestible dry matter (TDDM), true digestibility (TD), gas and methane output per digested dry matter (DM), and microbial protein, but not in methane (CH4) production. Substituting alfalfa with amaranth hay resulted in relatively higher microbial protein synthesis compared to gas and methane production, supporting the potential for up to 30% replacement. This change improved microbial protein and decreased meth-ane output. To assess its effect on feed intake and overall animal production, more in vivo studies are required.