Modification and evaluation of a ruminant emission measurement system for assessing cattle metabolism

Respiratory gas exchanges may be monitored to assess heat production as an indication of metabolic performance. A Ruminant Emission Measurement System (REMS) was initially constructed to measure methane emission from cattle, and is located at the Beef Cattle and Sheep Field Laboratory, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. REMS was modified to expand the capacity for measuring heat production, and methods for verifying system reliability were applied. Three recovery test approaches (alcohol combustion method, constant gas injection method, and gravimetric gas injection method) revealed opportunities for improving the system performance by reducing the impact of systematic errors. Approaches for the application of REMS were also explored to reduce the measurement variability be identifying an appropriate acclimation period for cattle.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2017

Author dc:creator

• Li, Jiangong

Contributors dc:contributor

• Green, Angela
• Shike, Daniel W.
• Rodriguez, Luis F.

• Integrity test
• Acclimation
• Heat production

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Jiangong Li

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/95403

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/95403