Mitigation strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions from dairy cows: Update review

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Boadi ◽  
C. Benchaar ◽  
J. Chiquette ◽  
D. Massé
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Dietary Strategies

Enteric methane (CH4) emission is a major contributor to Canadian greenhouse gas emissions, and also a loss of feed energy during production. The objective of this paper is to provide an update on current management practices and new dietary strategies recently proposed to reduce CH4 emissions from ruminants. Existing mitigation strategies for dairy, e.g., the addition of ionophores, fats, use of high-quality forages, and increased use of grains, have been well researched and applied. These nutritional changes reduce CH4 emissions by manipulating ruminal fermentation, directly inhibiting methanogens and protozoa, or by diverting hydrogen ions away from methanogens. Current literature has identified new CH4 mitigation options. These include the addition of probiotics, acetogens, bacteriocins, archaeal viruses, organic acids, plant extracts (e.g., essential oils) to the diet, as well as immunization, and genetic selection of cows. These new strategies are promising, but more research is needed to validate these approaches and to assess in vivo their effectiveness in reducing CH4 production by dairy cows. It is also important to evaluate CH4 mitigation strategies in terms of the total greenhouse gas budget and to consider the cost associated with the various strategies. More basic understanding of the natural differences in digestion efficiencies among animals as well as a better knowledge of methanogens and their interaction with other organisms in the rumen would enable us to exploit the potential of some of the new CH4 mitigation strategies for dairy cattle production. Key words: Enteric methane, dairy cattle, mitigation

scholarly journals Trends in greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cattle in Mexico between 1970 and 2010

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 292 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Rendón-Huerta ◽  
J. M. Pinos-Rodríguez ◽  
J. C. García-López ◽  
L. G. Yáñez-Estrada ◽  
E. Kebreab
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Emission Intensity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
N2o Emission ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Enteric Methane

The objective of the present work was to estimate and assess trends in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), from dairy cows in Mexico from the base year of 1970 to 2010. Empirical and mechanistic models were used to estimate enteric methane emissions based on chemical composition of diets. Methane from manure was calculated using Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and US Environmental Protection Agency recommended equations. N2O emission was calculated according to IPCC recommendations. Compared with the 1970s, current management practices using modern dairy cows increased feed conversion efficiency 32% and milk yield 62%. GHG emission intensity (i.e. emissions per unit of product) was reduced 30%, 25% and 30% for CH4, N2O and total emissions, respectively. The study showed that although GHG emissions in absolute terms increased in the past 40 years, emission intensity decreased due to higher level of production. This trend is likely to continue in the future, assuming milk production follows the same increasing trend as in other countries in North America.

scholarly journals PSII-17 Program Chair Poster Pick: Effect of ruminal protozoa on methane emissions in ruminants – a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 397-398
Author(s):  
Xiaoxia Dai ◽  
Kenneth Kalscheur ◽  
Pekka Huhtanen ◽  
Antonio Faciola
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The effects of ruminal protozoa (RP) concentration on methane emissions from ruminants were evaluated in a meta-analysis using 67 publications reporting data from 85 in vivo experiments. Experiments included in the database reported methane emissions (g/kg DMI) and RP (log10 cells/mL) from the same group of animals. Quantitative data including diet chemical composition, ruminal fermentation, total tract digestibility, and milk production; and qualitative information including methane mitigation strategies, animal type, and methane measurement methods were also collected. The studies were conducted in dairy cows (51%), beef steers (32%) and small ruminants (32%). 70% of the studies reported a reduction in methane emissions. Supplemental lipids reduced methane emissions 95% of the time. The relationship between methane emissions and RP concentration was evaluated as a random coefficient model with the experiment as a random effect and weighted by the inverse pooled SEM squared, including the possibility of covariance between the slope and the intercept. A quadratic effect of RP concentration on methane emissions was detected: CH4= -28.8 + 12.2 × RP-0.64 × RP2. To detect potential interfering factors in the relationship, the influence of several qualitative and quantitative factors were separately tested. Acetate, butyrate, and isobutyrate molar proportions had positive relationships with methane emissions and influenced the relationship between RP concentration and methane emissions, where the presence of ruminal fermentation variables reduced the effects of RP concentration in methane emissions. Total tract digestibility of DM, OM, and CP had negative relationships while NDF digestibility had a positive relationship with methane emissions; however, they only changed the magnitude of intercept and slope of RP and RP2 for the relationship. For dairy cows, milk fat and protein concentrations had positive relationships and milk yield had a negative relationship with methane emissions and changed the magnitude of intercept and slope of RP and RP2 for the relationship.

scholarly journals Effect of Mootral—a garlic- and citrus-extract-based feed additive—on enteric methane emissions in feedlot cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1383-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Breanna M Roque ◽  
Henk J Van Lingen ◽  
Hilde Vrancken ◽  
Ermias Kebreab
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feed Additive ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Ch4 Production ◽  
Enteric Methane

Abstract: Enteric methane (CH4) production is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock globally with beef cattle contributing 5.95% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Various mitigation strategies have been developed to reduce enteric emissions with limited success. In vitro studies have shown a reduction in CH4 emissions when using garlic and citrus extracts. However, there is paucity of data regarding in vivo studies investigating the effect of garlic and citrus extracts in cattle. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the response of Angus × Hereford cross steers consuming the feed additive Mootral, which contains extracts of both garlic and citrus, on CH4 yield (g/kg dry matter intake [DMI]). Twenty steers were randomly assigned to two treatments: control (no additive) and Mootral supplied at 15 g/d in a completely randomized design with a 2-wk covariate and a 12-wk data collection periods. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured using the GreenFeed system during the covariate period and experimental weeks 2, 6, 9, and 12. CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) by steers remained similar in both treatments for weeks 2 to 9. In week 12, there was a significant decrease in CH4 yield (23.2%) in treatment compared to control steers mainly because the steers were consuming all the pellets containing the additive. However, overall CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) during the entire experimental period was not significantly different. Carbon dioxide yield (g/kg DMI) and oxygen consumption (g/kg DMI) did not differ between treatments during the entire experimental period. DMI, average daily gain, and feed efficiency also remained similar in control and supplemented steers. The in vivo results showed that Mootral may have a potential to be used as a feed additive to reduce enteric CH4 production and yield in beef cattle but needs further investigation under various dietary regimen.

scholarly journals In Vitro Evaluation of Different Dietary Methane Mitigation Strategies

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juana C. Chagas ◽  
Mohammad Ramin ◽  
Sophie J. Krizsan
Keyword(s):  
Control Diet ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Ch4 Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fermentation Parameters ◽  
Propynoic Acid ◽  
Dietary Strategies

We assessed and ranked different dietary strategies for mitigating methane (CH4) emissions and other fermentation parameters, using an automated gas system in two in vitro experiments. In experiment 1, a wide range of dietary CH4 mitigation strategies was tested. In experiment 2, the two most promising CH4 inhibitory compounds from experiment 1 were tested in a dose-response study. In experiment 1, the chemical compounds 2-nitroethanol, nitrate, propynoic acid, p-coumaric acid, bromoform, and Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT) decreased predicted in vivo CH4 production (1.30, 21.3, 13.9, 24.2, 2.00, and 0.20 mL/g DM, respectively) compared with the control diet (38.7 mL/g DM). The 2-nitroethanol and AT treatments had lower molar proportions of acetate and higher molar proportions of propionate and butyrate compared with the control diet. In experiment 2, predicted in vivo CH4 production decreased curvilinearly, molar proportions of acetate decreased, and propionate and butyrate proportions increased curvilinearly with increased levels of AT and 2-nitroethanol. Thus 2-nitroethanol and AT were the most efficient strategies to reduce CH4 emissions in vitro, and AT inclusion additionally showed a strong dose-dependent CH4 mitigating effect, with the least impact on rumen fermentation parameters.

scholarly journals Carbon Footprint Assessment of Spanish Dairy Cattle Farms: Effectiveness of Dietary and Farm Management Practices as a Mitigation Strategy

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2083
Author(s):  
Ridha Ibidhi ◽  
Sergio Calsamiglia
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
System Model ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Increase Milk Production

Greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint (CF) were estimated in twelve Spanish dairy farms selected from three regions (Mediterranean, MED; Cantabric, CAN; and Central, CEN) using a partial life cycle assessment through the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM). The functional unit was 1 kg of energy corrected milk (ECM). Methane emissions accounted for the largest contribution to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The average CF (kg CO2-eq/kg of ECM) was 0.84, being the highest in MED (0.98), intermediate in CEN (0.84), and the lowest in CAN (0.67). Two extreme farms were selected for further simulations: one with the highest non-enteric methane (MED1), and another with the highest enteric methane (CAN2). Changes in management scenarios (increase milk production, change manure collection systems, change manure-type storage method, change bedding type and installation of an anaerobic digester) in MED1 were evaluated with the IFSM model. Changes in feeding strategies (reduce the forage: concentrate ratio, improve forage quality, use of ionophores) in CAN2 were evaluated with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model. Results indicate that changes in management (up to 27.5% reduction) were more efficient than changes in dietary practices (up to 3.5% reduction) in reducing the carbon footprint.

Productive and reproductive performance of crossbred and indigenous dairy cows at smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Belay Duguma
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Jimma Zone ◽  
Improvement Programs

Context Evaluation of the performance of dairy cows kept in different production systems is essential for the development of appropriate breeding strategies. Aims To examine milk production and reproductive performance of crossbred (CB) and indigenous (I) dairy cows, farmers’ traits preference for CB and I breeding females, and factors affecting the performance of dairy cattle on smallholdings in selected towns of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Methods In total, 52 smallholder dairy cattle farmers were randomly sampled and data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews by using structured questionnaires. The traits studied were daily milk yield (DMY), lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL), age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and number of service per conception (NSC), all being factors affecting performance of dairy cattle and farmers’ preferred dairy traits. Results On average, CB cows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher DMY (6.0 ± 0.33 vs 1.8 ± 0.07 L/cow), LMY (1466.7 ± 1.13 vs 376.0 ± 21.02 L (L)), LL (8.1 ± 0.41 vs 6.9 ± 0.22 months), and lower AFS (2.69 ± 0.1 vs 3.3 ± 0.07 years), AFC (3.7 ± 0.13 vs 4.3 ± 0.07 years) and CI (21.2 ± 1.37 vs 29.8 ± 1.30 months) than did I cows. However, DO and NSC were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by genotype. In order of perceived importance, high milk yield (mean rank = 0.306), LL (0.292) and fertility (0.199) were farmers’ most preferred traits for CB breeding cows, and the corresponding preferred traits for I cows were high milk yield (0.253), adaptability (0.229) and LL (0.192). The most important factors perceived by farmers affecting the performance of dairy cattle were breed, nutrition, diseases, breeding and management practices Conclusions The findings of the study indicated that even though CB cows performed better, the performance of both breeds of dairy cows in the study area was found to be generally low due to delayed AFS, late AFC, long CI, shorter LL, low daily and LMY and high NSC. Implications The study highlighted that there is a potential for increasing the performance of dairy cows in the study area, through improved management strategies leading to shorter AFS, AFC, CI and lower NSC. Furthermore, future breed-improvement programs should take into consideration farmers’ trait preferences in design of sustainable improvement programs.

LOOSE HOUSING FOR DAIRY CATTLE*

1953 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-202
Author(s):  
S. A. Witzel
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Careful Planning ◽  
Bulk Tank ◽  
New System ◽  
The Way

Proven favorable to housing for high producing dairy cows, cold loose housing at the Wisconsin Station has shown the way to specialized dairy farming in the Midwest. This system allows free, active cows to wait on themselves and bring the milk to the elevated stall milking parlor. Here the operator quickly and effectively milks his cows with the aid of a cleaned in place milk pipeline which carries the milk to the refrigerated bulk tank in the milk room. Success requires careful planning, a workable layout, effective equipment and an operator willing to adjust himself and his hard management practices to his new system of housing.

Effects of nutrition and genetics on fertility in dairy cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Àlex Bach
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Gene Selection ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Small Individual

Optimal reproductive function in dairy cattle is mandatory to maximise profits. Dairy production has progressively improved milk yields, but, until recently, the trend in reproductive performance has been the opposite. Nutrition, genetics, and epigenetics are important aspects affecting the reproductive performance of dairy cows. In terms of nutrition, the field has commonly fed high-energy diets to dairy cows during the 3 weeks before calving in an attempt to minimise postpartum metabolic upsets. However, in the recent years it has become clear that feeding high-energy diets during the dry period, especially as calving approaches, may be detrimental to cow health, or at least unnecessary because cows, at that time, have low energy requirements and sufficient intake capacity. After calving, dairy cows commonly experience a period of negative energy balance (NEB) characterised by low blood glucose and high non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. This has both direct and indirect effects on oocyte quality and survival. When oocytes are forced to depend highly on the use of energy resources derived from body reserves, mainly NEFA, their development is compromised due to a modification in mitochondrial β-oxidation. Furthermore, the indirect effect of NEB on reproduction is mediated by a hormonal (both metabolic and reproductive) environment. Some authors have attempted to overcome the NEB by providing the oocyte with external sources of energy via dietary fat. Conversely, fertility is affected by a large number of genes, each with small individual effects, and thus it is unlikely that the decline in reproductive function has been directly caused by genetic selection for milk yield per se. It is more likely that the decline is the consequence of a combination of homeorhetic mechanisms (giving priority to milk over other functions) and increased metabolic pressure (due to a shortage of nutrients) with increasing milk yields. Nevertheless, genetics is an important component of reproductive efficiency, and the incorporation of genomic information is allowing the detection of genetic defects, degree of inbreeding and specific single nucleotide polymorphisms directly associated with reproduction, providing pivotal information for genetic selection programs. Furthermore, focusing on improving bull fertility in gene selection programs may represent an interesting opportunity. Conversely, the reproductive function of a given cow depends on the interaction between her genetic background and her environment, which ultimately modulates gene expression. Among the mechanisms modulating gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) and epigenetics seem to be most relevant. Several miRNAs have been described to play active roles in both ovarian and testicular function, and epigenetic effects have been described as a consequence of the nutrient supply and hormonal signals to which the offspring was exposed at specific stages during development. For example, there are differences in the epigenome of cows born to heifers and those born to cows, and this epigenome seems to be sensitive to the availability of methyl donor compounds of the dam. Lastly, recent studies in other species have shown the relevance of paternal epigenetic marks, but this aspect has been, until now, largely overlooked in dairy cattle.

Evaluation of solvent and expeller linseed meals as protein sources for dairy cattle

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Khorasani ◽  
J. J. Kennelly ◽  
P. H. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
Linseed Meal ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the nutritive value of expeller linseed meal (ELM) and solvent linseed meal (SLM) as protein supplements for lactating dairy cows utilizing analytical and in situ procedures, and determine the in vivo nutritive value of the most promising linseed meal in diets containing either barley or corn-based concentrate. Canola meal (CM) and soybean meal (SBM) were included in the evaluative stage for comparative purposes. Linseed meals contained 37.8 and 35.4% crude protein (CP); 22.6 and 25.9% neutral detergent fibre (NDF); and 12.9 and 7.1% crude fat for ELM and SLM, respectively. Rate and extent of dry matter, NDF, and CP digestion, as determined by the rumen in situ technique, indicated that ruminal digestibility of SLM was similar to that observed for CM, but ruminal escape of ELM protein was higher than for CM. The proportion of ruminal escape protein was similar for SLM, CM and SBM. Total tract CP digestibilities of SLM and CM were similar to and lower than those observed for ELM and SBM. Soybean meal had the highest total tract CP digestibility. Based on results of the analytical and in situ procedures, SLM was selected for evaluation in the in vivo experiment. Results indicated that SLM did not have any deleterious effect on digestion of other components of the diet, and parameters of rumen fermentation indicated similar digestion patterns for cows fed SLM and CM. Overall, results indicate that SLM has potential as a replacement for CM or SBM in diets of dairy cattle. It was also concluded that replacement of barley with corn does not influence the nutritive value of SLM for dairy cows. Key words: Linseed meal, canola meal, dairy cattle

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