Methane emissions and milk yields from dairy cows under integrated systems.

Integrated systems have been shown to be viable technology for increase agricultural yields and reduce environmental impact. The enteric methane emissions and milk yields were assessed in crossbred grazing cows in the Cerrado region of central Brazil. Treatments were allocated in a completely randomized design and consisted of two dairy production systems based on Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaca cultivated in Integrated Crop-livestock (ICL) or Integrated Crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF). The treatment means were compared using the F test at 5% probability of error. Mombaca grass presented the same forage yield and 22% more CP (P=0.0105) in ICLF. Treatments did not differ for any enteric methane emission variable; however, the cows? fat milk content and fat corrected milk yield (FCM) were, respectively, 7.3% and 9.7% higher in ICLF (P<0.05). In conclusion, crossbred dairy cows produce more FCM in ICLF, with the same methane intensity and production when grazing Mombaca grass under ICL or ICLF systems.