Methane emissions from sheep fed Eragrostis curvula hay substituted with Lespedeza cuneata

Context Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from livestock production systems is a global research priority. Forages that contain condensed tannins, such as the perennial legume Lespedeza cuneata, may help to reduce ruminant methane (CH4) emissions. Aims The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of L. cuneata hay on feed intake and enteric CH4 emissions of sheep fed a basal diet of subtropical Eragrostis curvula hay. Methods Four adult ruminally cannulated Dohne Merino wethers with initial bodyweight of 65.5 ± 3.5 kg were used in the experiment in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The four experimental treatments were E. curvula hay substituted with 0%, 30%, 60% and 90% L. cuneata hay. Each of four experimental periods lasted 27 days, which consisted of a 14-day adaptation period, a 7-day digestibility trial, and a 6-day CH4-measurement period. During the 6-day CH4-measurement period, CH4 emissions were measured continuously over a 24-h period by using an open circuit respiration system. Key results Dry matter intake (DMI, g/kg W0.75) was higher (P < 0.05) for sheep receiving 60% and 90% L. cuneata than 0% and 30% L. cuneata (77.33 and 84.67 g/kg W0.75 vs 62.96 and 62.71 g/kg W0.75). The increase in DMI corresponded with a linear increase in DM digestibility of the experimental treatments from 38% to 45% as the level of L. cuneata substitution increased. Methane yield was not influenced (P > 0.05) by 30% inclusion of L. cuneata (17.6 g CH4/kg DMI) but decreased (P < 0.05) as the inclusion level increased to 60% and 90% (13.8 and 14.3 g CH4/kg DMI). Conclusions Inclusion of L. cuneata hay in a diet based on E. curvula hay improved diet digestibility, and led to increased concentrations of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and non-fibre carbohydrates. Substituting E. curvula hay with 60% L. cuneata on a DM basis resulted in the greatest reduction in CH4 yield of 21.4% compared with a diet of 100% E. curvula. Implications The results suggest that L. cuneata has the potential to reduce CH4 yield and possibly increase production from sheep by improving diet DM digestibility and through improved DMI.

Download Full-text

PSIV-B-25 Digestible energy and metabolizable energy of high-fiber ingredients in growing pig diets

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.718 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 394-395

Author(s):

Jongkeon Kim ◽

Yun Yeong Jo ◽

Beob Gyun G Kim

Keyword(s):

Latin Square ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Adaptation Period ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

High Fiber ◽

Cashew Nut ◽

Growing Pig ◽

Gluten Feed

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) concentrations in high-fiber ingredients fed to growing pigs. Twelve barrows with an initial body weight of 57.5 kg (SD = 5.7) were individually housed in metabolism crates. A replicated 6 × 3 incomplete Latin square design with 12 animals, 6 experimental diets and 3 periods was employed. A basal diet was composed of 75.0% corn and 22.7% soybean meal (SBM) as the sole energy sources. Four experimental diets were prepared by replacing 40% of corn and SBM with soybean hulls (SH), corn gluten feed (CGF), wheat bran (WB), or rice bran (RB). An additional diet was prepared by replacing 10% of corn and SBM with cashew nut hulls (CNH). Each period consisted of a 4-d adaptation period and a 4-d collection period, and the marker-to-marker procedure was used for total collection of feces and urine. The DE and ME values in RB (3,969 and 3,936 kcal/kg DM) were greater (P < 0.05) than those in CGF (2,654 and 2,520 kcal/kg DM) and SH (2,492 and 2,541 kcal/kg DM) and the energy values in WB (3,162 and 3,118 kcal/kg DM) were not different from those in RB, CGF, or SH. The DE and ME values in CNH (350 and 572 kcal/kg DM) were less (P < 0.05) than those in all other test ingredients. In conclusion, energy concentrations in RB were greatest among the high-fiber test ingredients, whereas CNH had the lowest values.

Download Full-text

Effect of breed and pasture type on methane emissions from weaned lambs offered fresh forage

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859615000544 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 153 (6) ◽

pp. 1128-1134 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. D. FRASER ◽

H. R. FLEMING ◽

V. J. THEOBALD ◽

J. M. MOORBY

Keyword(s):

Latin Square ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Total Output ◽

Adaptation Period ◽

Breed Type ◽

Permanent Pasture ◽

Simple Body ◽

Gross Energy

SUMMARYTo investigate the extent to which enteric methane (CH4) emissions from growing lambs are explained by simple body weight and diet characteristics, a 2 × 2 Latin square changeover design experiment was carried out using two sheep breeds and two fresh pasture types. Weaned lambs of two contrasting breed types were used: Welsh Mountain (WM, a small, hardy hill breed) and Welsh Mule × Texel (TexX, prime lamb) (n = 8 per breed). The lambs were zero-grazed on material cut from recently reseeded perennial ryegrass and extensively managed permanent pasture. In each experimental period, individual ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI) was determined indoors following an adaptation period of 2 weeks, and CH4 emissions were measured individually in open-circuit respiration chambers over a period of 3 days. Although total daily CH4 emissions were lower for the WM lambs than for the TexX lambs (13·3 v. 15·7 g/day, respectively) when offered fresh forage, the yield of CH4 per unit DMI was similar for the two breed types (16·4 v. 17·7 g CH4/kg DMI). Total output of CH4 per day was higher when lambs were offered ryegrass compared with permanent pasture (16·1 v. 12·9 g/day, respectively), which was probably driven by differences in DMI (986 v. 732 g/day). Methane emissions per unit DMI (16·4 v. 17·7 g CH4/kg DMI) and proportion of gross energy intake excreted as CH4 (0·052 v. 0·056 MJ/MJ) were both higher on the permanent pasture. No forage × breed type interactions were identified. The results indicate that forage type had a greater impact than breed type on CH4 emissions from growing weaned lambs. It can be concluded that when calculating CH4 emissions for inventory purposes, it is more important to know what forages growing lambs are consuming than to know what breeds they are.

Download Full-text

Supplementing Northern Australian Beef Cattle with Desmanthus Tropical Legume Reduces In-Vivo Methane Emissions

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10112097 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2097

Author(s):

Bénédicte Suybeng ◽

Edward Charmley ◽

Christopher P. Gardiner ◽

Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli ◽

Aduli E.O. Malau-Aduli

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Linear Increase ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Rhodes Grass ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Quality Diet ◽

Chloris Gayana

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing beef cattle with incremental levels of Desmanthus leptophyllus cv. JCU1 and Desmanthus bicornutus cv. JCU4 on in vivo methane (CH4) emissions and the role of tannins in rumen fermentation. Fourteen yearling Droughtmaster steers were allocated to each of the two Desmanthus species and offered a basal diet of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay plus fresh Desmanthus at 0%, 15%, 22%, and 31% of dry matter intake (DMI). The 15% and 31% Desmanthus periods lasted 21 days and the 22 and 0% Desmanthus periods, 14 days. Methane production was measured by open-circuit gas exchange in the last two days of each period. The results showed a linear increase in DMI and reduction in CH4 yield with the increasing level of Desmanthus and subsequently condensed tannins in the diet. The added tannin binder polyethylene glycol-4000 did not affect CH4 yield but increased rumen NH3-N and iso-acid concentrations. Therefore, on a low-quality diet, Desmanthus has the potential to increase intake and reduce CH4 emissions. Even though its tannins can bind rumen proteins, the beef cattle anti-methanogenic response to supplementation with Desmanthus may be a combination of rumen fermentation and tannin effects.

Download Full-text

98 Effect of engineered biocarbon on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, methane emissions, and rumen microbiota in beef heifers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.170 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 82-83

Author(s):

Stephanie Terry ◽

Gabriel Ribeiro ◽

Robert Gruninger ◽

Alex Chaves ◽

Karen Beauchemin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Latin Square ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Barley Grain ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Mineral Supplement ◽

Fecal Microbiome ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Barley Silage

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effect of engineered biocarbon (EB) on rumen fermentation, apparent total tract digestibility, methane (CH4) emissions and the rumen and fecal microbiome of Angus × Hereford heifers fed a barley silage-based diet. The experiment was a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square using 8 ruminally cannulated heifers (565 ± 35 kg initial BW). The basal diet contained 60% barley silage, 35% barley grain and 5% mineral supplement with EB added at 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% (DM basis). Each period was 28-d consisting of 14-d adaptation and 14-d of measurements. Samples for profiling of the microbiome in rumen liquid, solids and feces were collected on d-15 before feeding. Rumen samples for fermentation characterization were taken at 0, 3, 6, and 12-h post feeding. Total collection of urine and feces was conducted from d-18 to 22. Heifers were housed in open-circuit respiratory chambers on d-26 to 28 to estimate CH4 emissions. Ruminal pH was recorded at 1-min intervals during CH4 measurements using indwelling pH loggers. Data were analyzed with the fixed effects of dietary treatment and random effects of square, heifer within square and period. Dry matter intake was similar across treatments (P = 0.21). NH3-N concentration and protozoa counts responded quadratically (P = 0.01) to EB. Minimum pH was increased (P = 0.04), and variation of pH was decreased (P = 0.03) by 2.0% EB. Total tract digestibility, N balance and CH4 production were not affected (P ≥ 0.17) by EB. EB affected the relative abundance of Fibrobacter (P = 0.05), Spirochaetaes (P = 0.01), Verrucomicrobia (P = 0.02), Tenericutes (P = 0.01), and Elusimicrobia (P = 0.02). Results suggest that at the examined concentrations, EB was ineffective at decreasing enteric CH4 emissions, however it altered the rumen microbiome.

Download Full-text

Ruminal fermentation, methanogenesis and nitrogen utilization of sheep receiving tropical grass hay-concentrate diets offered with Sapindus saponaria fruits and Cratylia argentea foliage

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800054643 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 177-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

H. D. Hess ◽

R. A. Beuret ◽

M. Lötscher ◽

I. K. Hindrichsen ◽

A. Machmüller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latin Square ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Body Protein ◽

Protein Retention ◽

Methane Release ◽

Grass Hay ◽

Sapindus Saponaria ◽

Tropical Grass

AbstractThe effects of supplementing a tropical, low-quality grass hay (Brachiaria dictyoneura) with legume foliage (Cratylia argentea) or fruits of the multipurpose tree Sapindus saponaria on ruminal fermentation, methane release and nitrogen (N) utilization were evaluated. Six Swiss White Hill lambs were used in a 6 ✕ 6 Latin-square design with a 3 ✕ 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with measurements of energy metabolism being conducted using open-circuit respiratory chambers. Treatments consisted of three basal diets, either grass alone or legume: grass ratios of 1: 2 or 2: 1. These basal diets were supplemented (1: 3) with a control concentrate or with a concentrate containing 250 g/kg dry matter of S. saponaria fruits. The apparent total tract digestibilities of organic matter (OM) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) were reduced and the proportionate crude protein (CP) losses through faeces were increased (P 0·01) by supplementation with S. saponaria, and digestibilities of OM and NDF were linearly reduced (P 0·001) with increasing legume proportion. Body energy retention, however, was similar in all diets. Along with CP intake, the proportionate CP losses through faeces decreased (P 0·001) with increasing legume proportion which was associated with improved (P 0·001) body protein retention and reduced (P 0·1) fat retention. Ruminal fluid ammonia concentration was not significantly affected (P > 0·1) by the inclusion of S. saponaria in the concentrate, but increased linearly (P 0·001) as dietary legume proportion was elevated. Supplementation with fruits of S. saponaria increased (P 0·01) total bacteria count, and decreased (P 0·001) total ciliate protozoa count by more than proportionately 0·50. Daily methane release was reduced (P 0·01) by S. saponaria supplementation in all basal diet types. Although being not clearly affected on a daily basis, methane release relative to body protein retention decreased linearly (P 0·05) with increasing legume proportion. The fact that interactions were mostly non-significant (P > 0·05) indicates that supplementation with S. saponaria fruits is a useful means to reduce methane emission from sheep given both tropical grass-based and grass-legume-based diets. Likewise, including legumes in N-limited tropical diets seems to represent an environmentally friendly way to improve animal productivity.

Download Full-text

Dietary forage to concentrate ratio and sunflower oil supplement alter rumen fermentation, ruminal methane emissions, and nutrient utilization in lactating cows1

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.2527/tas2017.0032 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 277-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

A. R. Bayat ◽

L. Ventto ◽

P. Kairenius ◽

T. Stefański ◽

H. Leskinen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sunflower Oil ◽

Latin Square ◽

Nutrient Utilization ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Fiber Digestion ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Rumen Ph ◽

Experimental Treatments

Abstract The effects of supplementing high- or low-concentrate diets with sunflower oil (SO) on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and ruminal methane (CH4) emissions in lactating cows were examined. Four multiparous Nordic Red dairy cows fitted with rumen cannulae were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments and 35-d periods. Experimental treatments comprised iso-nitrogenous total mixed rations based on grass silage with forage to concentrate ratio of 65:35 or 35:65 supplemented with 0 or 50 g/kg diet DM of SO. Apparent ruminal OM and starch digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) with high- than low-concentrate diets but was unaffected by SO. Inclusion of SO in high-concentrate diet decreased (P ≤ 0.05) apparent total tract OM, fiber, and GE, and apparent ruminal fiber digestibility. High-concentrate diets and SO shifted (P < 0.05) fiber digestion from rumen to the hindgut. High-concentrate diet resulted in a lower rumen pH and elevated total rumen VFA concentration compared with low-concentrate diet, whereas SO increased rumen pH and decreased rumen VFA concentration when included in high-, but not low-concentrate diet (P < 0.05 for interaction). High-concentrate diet reduced rumen ammonia-N (P < 0.01) and molar proportion of acetate to propionate (P < 0.01), and decreased (P < 0.05) ruminal CH4 emissions when expressed as g/d or g/kg OM digested in the rumen. With both low- and high-concentrate diets, SO reduced (P < 0.05) daily emissions of CH4 as g/d or g/kg OM digested in the rumen, but SO reduced CH4 emissions expressed as g/kg OM intake, OM digested in total digestive tract, energy-corrected milk or % of GE intake only with low-concentrate diet (P ≤ 0.05 for interaction). In conclusion, replacing grass silage with concentrates led to a reduction in daily ruminal CH4 emissions that were accompanied by a shift in rumen fermentation toward the synthesis of propionate, and decreases in rumen pH and fiber digestion. Sunflower oil was effective in reducing daily CH4 emissions in lactating cows which was accompanied by a noticeable lower feed intake with high- but not low-concentrate diet. Overall the effects of SO and greater proportion of concentrates in the diet on daily CH4 emissions were additive but the additivity declined or vanished when different indices of CH4 emission intensity were considered. Consequently, SO was more effective in reducing CH4 emissions when low-concentrate diet was fed.

Download Full-text

Effects of processing on rumen degradabilities of soyabean meal, and low and high glucosinolate rapeseed meals in cattle

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600023278 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 1992 ◽

pp. 219-219

Author(s):

A.M. Subuh ◽

T.G. Rowan

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Latin Square ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Adaptation Period ◽

Soyabean Meal

The effects of methods of processing soyabean meal (SBM), and low (LRSM) and high (HRSM) gluco-sinolate rapeseed meals on rumen degradability (DG) of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N), were determined by the nylon bag method in experiments of Latin Square design with 4 rumen-fistulated heifers. Rumen fractional outflow rates (FOR) for untreated SBM, LRSM and HRSM were determined by the chromium-mordant method in 2 heifers. Effective rumen degradabilities (EDG) for rumen incubation times of 24 h were calculated from DG and FOR.Methods of processing were formaldehyde (FT, 0.8g HCH0/I6g N), heat (HT, 110°C for 2 h) and untreated (UT). Heifers were given a basal diet of hay (0.55 of DM intake) and mineralized barley with LRSM (0.45 of DM intake). The diet was offered twice a day at 08.00 and 16.00 hours. An adaptation period of four weeks preceded the experiments.

Download Full-text

Effects of Starch Level and a Mixture of Sunflower and Fish Oils on Nutrient Intake and Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Ruminal Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11051310 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1310

Author(s):

Babak Darabighane ◽

Ilma Tapio ◽

Laura Ventto ◽

Piia Kairenius ◽

Tomasz Stefański ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Latin Square ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Fish Oils ◽

Ch4 Emissions ◽

Gross Energy ◽

Experimental Treatments ◽

Dietary Treatments ◽

Dietary Oil

Four multiparous dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square to examine how starch level and oil mixture impact dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility, milk yield and composition, rumen fermentation, ruminal methane (CH4) emissions, and microbial diversity. Experimental treatments comprised high (HS) or low (LS) levels of starch containing 0 or 30 g of a mixture of sunflower and fish oils (2:1 w/w) per kg diet DM (LSO and HSO, respectively). Intake of DM did not differ between cows fed LS and HS diets while oil supplementation reduced DM intake. Dietary treatments did not affect milk and energy corrected milk yields. There was a tendency to have a lower milk fat concentration due to HSO compared with other treatments. Both high starch level and oil supplementation increased digestibility of gross energy. Cows receiving HS diets had higher levels of total rumen VFA while acetate was lower than LS without any differences in rumen pH, or ruminal CH4 emissions. Although dietary oil supplementation had no impact on rumen fermentation, decreased CH4 emissions (g/day and g/kg milk) were observed with a concomitant increase in Anoplodinium-Diplodinium sp. and Epidinium sp. but a decrease in Christensenellaceae, Ruminococcus sp., Methanobrevibacter ruminantium and Mbb. gottschalkii clades.

Download Full-text

Amino acid and energy digestibility in different sources of rice bran for growing pigs

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a04-084 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (3) ◽

pp. 355-363 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

C. Kaufmann ◽

W. C. Sauer ◽

M. Cervantes ◽

Y. Zhang ◽

J. He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Rice Bran ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Latin Square ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Adaptation Period ◽

The Individual

Studies were carried out to determine the digestibilities of amino acids (AA) and energy in five sources of rice bran (RB). The sources of RB included two that were not further processed, a defatted, an extruded, and an atypical source of RB consisting mainly of starchy endosperm referred to as polish. Six barrows, average initial body weight 36.5 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, and fed six diets according to a 6 × 6 Latin square design. The five RB-containing diets contained 53.8% corn, 19.9% soybean meal, and 23.1% RB. The basal diet contained 71.0% corn and 26.3% soybean meal. The dietary allowance was provided at a rate of 4% (wt/wt) of the individual body weight determined at the initiation of each experimental period. Each experimental period comprised 11 d. Following a 7-d adaptation period, faeces were collected for 48 h and ileal digesta for 24 h in two 12-h periods. Chromic oxide was used as the digestibility marker. There was considerable variation in AA digestibilities among the RB samples. By aid of the difference method under the dietary conditions specified, the apparent ileal digestibilities of lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan ranged from 62.6 to 82.2, 61.4 to 76.0, 58.4 to 82.8, and 58.8 to 82.6%, respectively. The digestibilities were lowest in the defatted source of RB and highest in polish. Not including polish of which the total tract energy digestibility was 88.2%, the digestibilities of the other samples ranged from 60.5 to 65.8%. A small proportion of the variation in AA digestibility can be attributed to the content of crude protein, fat and ash in RB. Key words: Amino acids, digestibility, energy, pigs, rice bran

Download Full-text

Milk quality of dual-purpose cows supplemented with biological fish silage (Pterygoplichthys sp.) as a protein source

Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias ◽

10.17533/udea.rccp.v33n4a05 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 252-263

Author(s):

Raquel A Castillo-Mercado ◽

Adolfo Bucio-Galindo ◽

Rosa M Salinas-Hernández ◽

Emilio M Aranda-Ibáñez ◽

Francisco Izquierdo-Reyes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Production Systems ◽

Latin Square ◽

Protein Source ◽

Limiting Factors ◽

Adaptation Period ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Sanitary Condition ◽

Sensory Analyses ◽

Quality Of Milk

Background: Devilfish (Pterygoplichthys sp.) is a pest of high impact in aquaculture production systems. Through a biological fermentation process, it could be used as a source of protein for dairy cows. However, milk palatability and smell could be limiting factors. Objective: to evaluate the quality of milk from cows supplemented with biological fish silage (Pterygoplichthys sp.) as a protein source. Methods: The treatments (T) evaluated were T1, 0% biological fish silage; T2, 10% biological fish silage; and T3, 20% biological fish silage. Twelve randomly selected cows were used in a Latin square experimental design, in which three treatments were tested with all of the cows during three time periods. Each period lasted 20 days (15-day adaptation period and 5-day experimental phase). Milk was analyzed for physicochemical, microbiological, sanitary condition and sensory characteristics. Analyses of variance were performed for all the response variables. Results: No significant differences for physicochemical variables were found among the treatments studied. Differences were observed in microbiological and sanitary variables among treatments, but values were in the range for high quality milk standards (˂100,000 CFU mL-1 aerobic mesophilic bacteria, and ˂400,000 somatic cells mL-1). In the sensory analyses, panelists did not detect strange odors nor fishy taste or odor in the milk of any of the treatments. Conclusion: Biological fish silage can be included up to 20% as a protein source in supplements for lactating cows.

Download Full-text