Data paper: Experimental data from a controlled feeding trial evaluating methane reduction and performance enhancement in crossbred male sheep

Abstract

This paper presents enteric emissions data, coupled with feed intake and biophysical measurements from 20 indoor-housed, castrated male sheep. Animals were fed either a control diet or supplemented with a novel enteric methane−suppressing feed additive (NuAdvent+) and were housed for 71 days within BioControl Controlling and Recording Feed Intake pens, providing continuous feed intake monitoring data for the duration of the trial. Methane and CO₂ measurements were also obtained for individual animals during this period, using GreenFeed Emissions Monitoring units. Blood variable measurements were obtained on day 71, alongside bodyweight and body-condition measurements taken periodically throughout. For all variables tested, differences between control and treatment groups were determined using a t-test. This high-resolution dataset thus offers a robust basis for evaluating methane mitigation strategies, validating and refining predictive models for methane emissions, and linking emissions with animal performance. The dataset can also contribute to national GHG inventories by providing detailed, region-specific data.