A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Anitha Carlos Ngesi; Germana Henry Laswai; George Mutani Msalya; Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu; Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17

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A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Anitha Carlos Ngesi^*

, Germana Henry Laswai

, George Mutani Msalya

, Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu

, Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo

Published in International Journal of Animal Science and Technology (Volume 9, Issue 4)

Received: 23 September 2025 Accepted: 4 November 2025 Published: 26 December 2025

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Abstract

A total of 54 lactating dairy cows from 20 farms in Hai District were monitored to assess production performance and methane (CH₄) emission under different feeding practices and altitude zones. Of the selected farms 8 were in the highland zone and 12 in the lowland zone. In the lowland, cows were managed under zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3), while all highland cows were managed under FP1. Measurements included body weight, nutrients intake, milk yield and composition and CH₄ emission. Feedstuffs were also analysed for their nutritive values. The results showed that, daily dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI) and metabolisable energy intake (MEI) were higher (P<0.05) in cows under FP1 (11.1 kg, 1.2 kg and 117 MJ, respectively) than those in FP2 (9.8 kg, 938 g and 90 MJ) and FP3 (7.5 kg, 539 g and 45.3 MJ). Similarly, cows in the highland zone had higher (P<0.05) DMI, CPI, and MEI (11.7 kg, 1.3 kg, and 121.9 MJ) than those in the lowland zone (11.1 kg, 1.18 kg, and 117.1 MJ). Weight gain was highest (P<0.05) in FP1 (0.35 kg/d), followed by FP2 (0.21 kg/d), and lowest in FP3 (0.11 kg/d). Cows in the highland zone had significantly higher weight gain 0.46 kg/d) compared to those in the lowland zone 0.35 kg/d). Daily mean milk yield followed a similar trend, with cows under FP1 producing the highest (9.0 kg), followed by FP2 (6.8 kg) and FP3 (4.7 kg). Across zones, milk yield was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the highland (11.2 kg) than in the lowland (9.0 kg). Milk from cows under FP3 had slightly higher (P<0.05) lactose content (4.4%) than those under FP1 and FP2, while cows under FP1 produced milk with higher solids-non-fat (SNF) content (8.5%). Milk from lowland cows contained more (P<0.05) fat (4.0%), protein (3.6%), total solids (12.0%) and solids-non-fat (8.5%) than milk from highland cows. Mean gross methane emission did not differ significantly among feeding practices but was higher (P<0.05) in the highland zone (265 g/d) than the lowland zone (149.9 g/d). Methane intensity was similar (P>0.05) across feeding practices and zones. It was concluded that cows under FP1 achieved higher production performance by producing higher milk yield per unit of methane emitted compared to other feeding practices. Further research is recommended to evaluate the effects of different supplementation levels on production performance and methane emission.

Published in	International Journal of Animal Science and Technology (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17
Page(s)	240-254
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Feeding Practices, Altitude Zones, Feed Intake, Milk Yield and Composition, Methane Intensity

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Ngesi, A. C., Laswai, G. H., Msalya, G. M., Lyatuu, E. T., Komwihangilo, D. M. (2025). A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. International Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 9(4), 240-254. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17

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ACS Style

Ngesi, A. C.; Laswai, G. H.; Msalya, G. M.; Lyatuu, E. T.; Komwihangilo, D. M. A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Int. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2025, 9(4), 240-254. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17

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AMA Style

Ngesi AC, Laswai GH, Msalya GM, Lyatuu ET, Komwihangilo DM. A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Int J Anim Sci Technol. 2025;9(4):240-254. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17,
  author = {Anitha Carlos Ngesi and Germana Henry Laswai and George Mutani Msalya and Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu and Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo},
  title = {A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Animal Science and Technology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {4},
  pages = {240-254},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijast.20250904.17},
  abstract = {A total of 54 lactating dairy cows from 20 farms in Hai District were monitored to assess production performance and methane (CH4) emission under different feeding practices and altitude zones. Of the selected farms 8 were in the highland zone and 12 in the lowland zone. In the lowland, cows were managed under zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3), while all highland cows were managed under FP1. Measurements included body weight, nutrients intake, milk yield and composition and CH4 emission. Feedstuffs were also analysed for their nutritive values. The results showed that, daily dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI) and metabolisable energy intake (MEI) were higher (P0.05) across feeding practices and zones. It was concluded that cows under FP1 achieved higher production performance by producing higher milk yield per unit of methane emitted compared to other feeding practices. Further research is recommended to evaluate the effects of different supplementation levels on production performance and methane emission.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
AU  - Anitha Carlos Ngesi
AU  - Germana Henry Laswai
AU  - George Mutani Msalya
AU  - Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu
AU  - Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo
Y1  - 2025/12/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17
T2  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
SP  - 240
EP  - 254
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1312
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17
AB  - A total of 54 lactating dairy cows from 20 farms in Hai District were monitored to assess production performance and methane (CH4) emission under different feeding practices and altitude zones. Of the selected farms 8 were in the highland zone and 12 in the lowland zone. In the lowland, cows were managed under zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3), while all highland cows were managed under FP1. Measurements included body weight, nutrients intake, milk yield and composition and CH4 emission. Feedstuffs were also analysed for their nutritive values. The results showed that, daily dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI) and metabolisable energy intake (MEI) were higher (P0.05) across feeding practices and zones. It was concluded that cows under FP1 achieved higher production performance by producing higher milk yield per unit of methane emitted compared to other feeding practices. Further research is recommended to evaluate the effects of different supplementation levels on production performance and methane emission.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Anitha Carlos Ngesi

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-5529-733X
Germana Henry Laswai

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania

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http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4782-7286
George Mutani Msalya

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-247X
Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9909-2117
Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), Dodoma, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3291-9869

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APA Style

Ngesi, A. C., Laswai, G. H., Msalya, G. M., Lyatuu, E. T., Komwihangilo, D. M. (2025). A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. International Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 9(4), 240-254. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17

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ACS Style

Ngesi, A. C.; Laswai, G. H.; Msalya, G. M.; Lyatuu, E. T.; Komwihangilo, D. M. A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Int. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2025, 9(4), 240-254. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17

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Ngesi AC, Laswai GH, Msalya GM, Lyatuu ET, Komwihangilo DM. A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Int J Anim Sci Technol. 2025;9(4):240-254. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17,
  author = {Anitha Carlos Ngesi and Germana Henry Laswai and George Mutani Msalya and Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu and Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo},
  title = {A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Animal Science and Technology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {4},
  pages = {240-254},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijast.20250904.17},
  abstract = {A total of 54 lactating dairy cows from 20 farms in Hai District were monitored to assess production performance and methane (CH4) emission under different feeding practices and altitude zones. Of the selected farms 8 were in the highland zone and 12 in the lowland zone. In the lowland, cows were managed under zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3), while all highland cows were managed under FP1. Measurements included body weight, nutrients intake, milk yield and composition and CH4 emission. Feedstuffs were also analysed for their nutritive values. The results showed that, daily dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI) and metabolisable energy intake (MEI) were higher (P0.05) across feeding practices and zones. It was concluded that cows under FP1 achieved higher production performance by producing higher milk yield per unit of methane emitted compared to other feeding practices. Further research is recommended to evaluate the effects of different supplementation levels on production performance and methane emission.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Monitoring Study on the Production Performance and Enteric Methane Emission from the Dairy Cows Under Smallholder Farms in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
AU  - Anitha Carlos Ngesi
AU  - Germana Henry Laswai
AU  - George Mutani Msalya
AU  - Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu
AU  - Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo
Y1  - 2025/12/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17
T2  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
SP  - 240
EP  - 254
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1312
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250904.17
AB  - A total of 54 lactating dairy cows from 20 farms in Hai District were monitored to assess production performance and methane (CH4) emission under different feeding practices and altitude zones. Of the selected farms 8 were in the highland zone and 12 in the lowland zone. In the lowland, cows were managed under zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3), while all highland cows were managed under FP1. Measurements included body weight, nutrients intake, milk yield and composition and CH4 emission. Feedstuffs were also analysed for their nutritive values. The results showed that, daily dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI) and metabolisable energy intake (MEI) were higher (P0.05) across feeding practices and zones. It was concluded that cows under FP1 achieved higher production performance by producing higher milk yield per unit of methane emitted compared to other feeding practices. Further research is recommended to evaluate the effects of different supplementation levels on production performance and methane emission.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

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