The inclusion of a companion legume or herb, in combination with perennial ryegrass increased growth performance and reduced enteric methane emissions in lambs postweaning

Summary

Increasing lamb growth rates directly from pasture and reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions are key drivers to enhancing production efficiency and achieving more sustainable lamb finishing systems. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of binary sward mixtures of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plus a companion forage on growth performance, enteric CH4 output, reticulo-rumen content weight (RRcw), rumen fermentation parameters and the composition of the rumen microbiome in growing lambs. A randomized block design was employed to investigate 5 treatments, namely, perennial ryegrass (PRG), PRG plus white clover (Trifolium repens L.; PRG + WC), PRG plus red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; PRG + RC), PRG plus chicory (Chicorium intybus L.; PRG + Chic) and PRG plus p