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van Breukelen AE, Aldridge MN, Veerkamp RF, Koning L, Sebek LB, de Haas Y. Heritability and genetic correlations between enteric methane production and concentration recorded by GreenFeed and sniffers on dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:4121-4132. [PMID: 37080783 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
To reduce methane (CH4) emissions of dairy cows by animal breeding, CH4 measurements have to be recorded on thousands of individual cows. Currently, several techniques are used to phenotype cows for CH4, differing in costs and applicability. However, there is uncertainty about the agreement between techniques. To judge the similarity and repeatability between measurements of different recording techniques, the repeatability, heritability, and genetic correlation are useful metrics. Therefore, our objective was to estimate (1) the repeatability and heritability for CH4 and carbon dioxide production recorded by GreenFeed (GF) and for CH4 and carbon dioxide concentration measured by cost-effective but less accurate sniffers, and (2) the genetic correlation between CH4 recorded with these 2 different on farm and high throughput techniques. Data were available from repeated measurements of CH4 production (grams/day) by GF units and of CH4 concentration (ppm) by sniffers, recorded on commercial dairy farms in the Netherlands. The final data comprised 24,284 GF daily means from 822 cows, 170,826 sniffer daily means from 1,800 cows, and 1,786 daily means from 75 cows by both GF and sniffer (in the same period). Additionally, CH4 records were averaged per week. For daily and weekly mean GF CH4 the heritabilities were 0.19 ± 0.02 and 0.33 ± 0.04, and for daily and weekly mean sniffer CH4 the heritabilities were similar and were 0.18 ± 0.01 and 0.32 ± 0.02, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between GF CH4 production and sniffer CH4 concentration were moderate (0.39 ± 0.03 for daily means and 0.37 ± 0.05 for weekly means). However, genetic correlations were high; 0.71 ± 0.13 for daily means and 0.76 ± 0.15 for weekly means. The high genetic correlation indicates that selection on low CH4 concentrations (ppm) recorded by the cost-effective sniffer method, will result in reduced CH4 production (grams/day) as recorded with GF.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E van Breukelen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - M N Aldridge
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - R F Veerkamp
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - L Koning
- Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - L B Sebek
- Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Y de Haas
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Dressler EA, Bormann JM, Weaber RL, Rolf MM. Characterization of the number of spot samples required for quantification of gas fluxes and metabolic heat production from grazing beef cows using a GreenFeed. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad176. [PMID: 37246780 PMCID: PMC10263114 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Enteric fermentation from cattle results in greenhouse gas production that is an environmental concern and also an energetic loss. Several methods exist to quantify gas fluxes; however, an open circuit gas quantification system (OCGQS) allows for unencumbered quantification of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and oxygen (O2) from grazing cattle. While previous literature has proven the accuracy of an OCGQS, little work has been done to establish the minimum number of spot samples required to best evaluate an individual grazing animal's gas fluxes and metabolic heat production. A GreenFeed system (C-Lock Inc.) was used to collect at least 100 spot samples each from 17 grazing cows. The mean gas fluxes and metabolic heat production were computed starting from the first 10 visits (forward) and increasing by increments of 10 until an animal had 100 visits. Mean gas fluxes and metabolic heat production were also computed starting from visit 100 (reverse) in increments of 10 using the same approach. Pearson and Spearman correlations were computed between the full 100 visits and each shortened visit interval. A large increase in correlations were seen between 30 and 40 visits. Thus, mean forward and reverse gas fluxes and metabolic heat production were also computed starting at 30 visits and increasing by 2 until 40 visits. The minimum number of spot samples was determined when correlations with the full 100 visits were greater than 0.95. The results indicated that the minimum numbers of spot samples needed for accurate quantification of CH4, CO2, and O2 gas fluxes are 38, 40, and 40, respectively. Metabolic heat production can be calculated using gas fluxes collected by the OCGQS with 36 spot samples. Practically, calculation of metabolic heat production will require 40 spot samples because the component gases for metabolic heat calculation require up to 40 spot samples. Published literature from nongrazing (confined) environments recommended a similar number of total spot samples. Large variation existed around the average number of spot samples for an animal per day, therefore a wide range of test durations may be needed to meet the same number of spot samples in different populations. For this reason, protocols for the OCGQS should be based on the total number of spot samples, rather than a test duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Dressler
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Jennifer M Bormann
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Robert L Weaber
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Megan M Rolf
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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Sousa LB, Albuquerque Pereira ML, de Oliveira Silva HG, Sousa LB, E Silva LS, Machado FS, Tomich TR, Oss DB, Ferreira AL, Campos MM, Costa IC, Ribeiro Pereira LG. Prosopis juliflora piperidine alkaloid extract levels in diet for sheep change energy and nitrogen metabolism and affect enteric methane yield. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2022; 102:5132-5140. [PMID: 35279834 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ionophore antibiotics improve the efficiency of energy metabolism, which has driven their use as a feed additive in ruminants for decades. Currently, they have not been approved in many countries, generating a challenge for the immediate search for plant extracts with a similar mode of action on rumen metabolism. This study evaluated the effects of enriched Prosopis juliflora (mesquite) piperidine alkaloid extract (MPA) levels as an alternative phytoadditive to sodium monensin (MON) in sheep. RESULTS The MPA diet did not differ from MON with regard to nutrient intake. A quadratic effect (P < 0.05) was observed for organic matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility, with respective maximum point at 25.40 and minimum point at 0.95 mg kg-1 MPA. The MPA levels linearly decreased (P < 0.05) faecal nitrogen loss. MPA did not differ from MON with regard to nutrient digestibility, and MPA levels increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of digestible energy and metabolizability from dietary gross energy. The MPA levels linearly decreased (P < 0.05) enteric CH4 production, the yield showing lower (P < 0.05) energy loss as CH4 than MON. CONCLUSION The results show that MPA levels of 17.3 and 27.8 mg kg-1 are enteric CH4 inhibitors and enhance energy and protein utilization, indicating a promising alternative to MON for ruminants. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisse Borges Sousa
- Postgraduate Program in Zootechny, State University of Southwest Bahia, Itapetinga, Brazil
| | | | | | - Leandro Borges Sousa
- Postgraduate Program in Zootechny, State University of Southwest Bahia, Itapetinga, Brazil
| | - Leandro Santos E Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Zootechny, State University of Southwest Bahia, Itapetinga, Brazil
| | | | | | - Daniela Batista Oss
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
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van Breukelen AE, Aldridge MA, Veerkamp RF, de Haas Y. Genetic parameters for repeatedly recorded enteric methane concentrations of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:4256-4271. [PMID: 35307185 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Animal breeding techniques offer potential to reduce enteric emissions of ruminants to lower the environmental impact of dairy farming. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability and repeatability of methane (CH4) concentrations, using the largest data set from long-term repeatedly recorded CH4 on cows to date, and to evaluate (1) the accuracy of breeding values for different CH4 traits, including using visits or weekly means, and (2) recording strategies (with varying numbers of records and recorded daughters per sire). The data comprised of long-term recording of CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2), from 1,746 Holstein Friesian cows, on 14 commercial dairy farms throughout the Netherlands. Emissions were recorded in 10- to 35-s intervals, between 64 and 436 d, depending on farms. From each robot visit, CH4 and CO2 concentrations were summarized into various traits, averaged per visit and per week: mean, median, mean log, and mean CH4/CO2 ratio. Genetic parameters were estimated with animal repeatability models, using a restricted maximum likelihood procedure, and a relationship matrix based on genotypes and pedigree. The heritability was equal for mean and median CH4 per visit (0.13) but lower for logCH4 and CH4/CO2 (0.07 and 0.01, respectively). Phenotypic and genetic correlations were high (≥0.78) between the CH4 traits, apart from the genetic correlations with the CH4/CO2 trait, which were negative. To achieve a minimum reliability of 50% for the estimated breeding value of a bull, 25 records on mean CH4, measured on 10 different daughters, were sufficient. Although the heritability and repeatability were higher for weekly (0.32 and 0.68, respectively) than for visit mean CH4 (0.13 and 0.30, respectively), the reliabilities of estimated breeding values from visit or weekly means were equal; thus, we found no advantage in averaging records to weekly means for genetic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E van Breukelen
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - M A Aldridge
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - R F Veerkamp
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Y de Haas
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Beck MR, Gunter SA, Moffet CA, Reuter RR. Technical note: using an automated head chamber system to administer an external marker to estimate fecal output by grazing beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:skab241. [PMID: 34383906 PMCID: PMC8420667 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to determine if titanium dioxide (TiO2) dosed through an automated head chamber system (GreenFeed; C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA) is an acceptable method to measure fecal output. The GreenFeed used on this experiment had a 2-hopper bait dispensing system, where hopper 1 contained alfalfa pellets marked with 1% titanium dioxide (TiO2) and hopper 2 contained unmarked alfalfa pellets. Eleven heifers (BW = 394 ± 18.7 kg) grazing a common pasture were stratified by BW and then randomized to either 1) dosed with TiO2-marked pellets by hand feeding (HFD; n = 6) or 2) dosed with TiO2-marked pellets by the GreenFeed (GFFD; n = 5) for 19 d. During the morning (0800), all heifers were offered a pelleted, high-CP supplement at 0.25% of BW in individual feeding stanchions. The HFD heifers also received 32 g of TiO2-marked pellets at morning feeding, whereas the GFFD heifers received 32 g of unmarked pellets. The GFFD heifers received a single aliquot (32 ± 1.6 g; mean ± SD) of marked pellets at their first visit to the GreenFeed each day with all subsequent 32-g aliquots providing unmarked pellets; HFD heifers received only unmarked pellets. Starting on d 15, fecal samples were collected via rectal grab at feeding and every 12 h for 5 d. A two-one sided t-test method was used to determine agreement and it was determined that the fecal output estimates by HFD and GFFD methods were similar (P = 0.04). There was a difference (P < 0.01; Bartlett's test for homogenous variances) in variability between the dosing methods for HFD and GFFD (SD = 0.1 and 0.7, respectively). This difference in fecal output variability may have been due to variability of dosing times-of-day for the GFFD heifers (0615 ± 6.2 h) relative to the constant dosing time-of-day for HFD and constant 0800 and 2000 sampling times-of-day for all animals. This research has highlighted the potential for dosing cattle with an external marker through a GreenFeed configured with two (or more) feed hoppers because estimated fecal output means were similar; however, consideration of the increased variability of the fecal output estimates is needed for future experimental designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Beck
- USDA-ARS, Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX 79012, USA
| | - Stacey A Gunter
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Range Research Station, Woodward, OK 73801, USA
| | - Corey A Moffet
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Range Research Station, Woodward, OK 73801, USA
| | - R Ryan Reuter
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Ramin M, Fant P, Huhtanen P. The effects of gradual replacement of barley with oats on enteric methane emissions, rumen fermentation, milk production, and energy utilization in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:5617-5630. [PMID: 33685675 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of gradual replacement of barley with oats on enteric CH4 emissions, rumen fermentation, diet digestibility, milk production, and energy utilization in dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet. Sixteen lactating Nordic Red dairy cows received a total mixed ration [58:42 forage:concentrate on dry matter (DM) basis]. Grass silage (Phleum pratense) was the sole forage with canola meal (10% of diet DM) as a protein supplement. The effects of gradual replacement of barley with oats on DM basis were evaluated using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21 d periods. The grain supplements (30% of diet DM) consisted of 100% barley, 67% barley and 33% oats, 33% barley and 67% oats, and 100% oats. In addition to intake, milk production, and digestibility measurements, CH4 emissions were measured by the GreenFeed system (C-Lock Inc.). The energy metabolism was estimated from the gas exchange measurements recorded by the GreenFeed unit. The last 10 d of each period were used for recordings of gas exchanges, feed intake and milk production. Dry matter intake, body weight, milk yield, and energy-corrected milk yield were not affected by gradual replacement of barley with oats in the diet. Increased inclusion of oats linearly decreased CH4 emissions from 467 to 445 g/d, and CH4 intensity from 14.7 to 14.0 g/kg energy-corrected milk. In addition, the ratio of CH4 to CO2 decreased with increasing inclusion of oats in the diet. Digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and potentially digestible neutral detergent fiber decreased linearly with increasing inclusion of oats. Increased inclusion of oats linearly increased fecal energy from 121 to 133 MJ/d, whereas urinary energy and heat production were not affected by dietary treatment. This resulted in a linear decrease in metabolizable energy intake. However, increased levels of oat in the diet did not significantly affect energy balance or efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for lactation. This study concludes that barley could be replaced with oats in the diet of dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet to mitigate CH4 emissions without having any adverse effects on productivity or energy balance. However, the effect of replacing barley with oats on CH4 emissions is dependent on the differences between barley and oats in the concentrations of indigestible neutral detergent fiber and fat.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ramin
- Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - P Fant
- Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - P Huhtanen
- Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
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Guinguina A, Yan T, Trevisi E, Huhtanen P. The use of an upgraded GreenFeed system and milk fatty acids to estimate energy balance in early-lactation cows. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:6701-6714. [PMID: 33685692 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Measurements of energy balance (EB) require the use of respiration chambers, which are quite expensive and laborious. The GreenFeed (GF) system (C-Lock Inc.) has been developed to offer a less expensive, user friendly alternative. In this study, we used the GF system to estimate the EB of cows in early lactation and compared it with EB predicted from energy requirements for dairy cows in the Finnish feeding standards. We also evaluated the association between milk fatty acids and the GF estimated EB. The cows were fed the same grass silage but supplemented with either cereal grain or fibrous by-product concentrate. Cows were followed from 1 to 18 wk of lactation, and measurements of energy metabolism variables were taken. Data were subjected to ANOVA using the mixed model procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). The repeatability estimates of the gaseous exchanges from the GF were moderate to high, presenting an opportunity to use it for indirect calorimetry in EB estimates. Energy metabolism variables were not different between cows fed different concentrates. However, cows fed the grain concentrate produced more methane (24.0 MJ/d or 62.9 kJ/MJ of gross energy) from increased digestibility than cows fed the by-product concentrate (21.3 MJ/d or 56.5 kJ/MJ of gross energy). Nitrogen metabolism was also not different between the diets. Milk long-chain fatty acids displayed an inverse time course with EB and de novo fatty acids. There was good concordance (0.85) between EB predicted using energy requirements derived from the Finnish feed table and EB estimated by the GF system. In conclusion, the GF can accurately estimate EB in early-lactating dairy cows. However, more data are needed to further validate the system for a wide range of dietary conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Guinguina
- Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - T Yan
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DR, United Kingdom
| | - E Trevisi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Food, and Nutrition (DIANA), Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122, Piacenza, Italy
| | - P Huhtanen
- Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden.
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8
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Pang D, Yan T, Krizsan S. Effect of strategy for harvesting regrowth grass silage on performance in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:367-380. [PMID: 33131829 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding lactating dairy cows with regrowth silages from different 2- and 3-cut harvesting systems on milk production, efficiency of N, and energy utilization. Thirty Nordic Red cows were offered 5 experimental diets containing regrowth silages, crimped barley, and canola meal in replicated incomplete 5 × 4 Latin squares with four 21-d periods consisting of 14 d of feed adaptation and 7 d of sampling. Four second-cut silage diets were examined in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, enabling evaluation of effect of harvest time of the early or late first cut on second-cut silages, short or long regrowth interval within second cut, and their interaction on dairy cow performance. The third-cut silage diet harvested from early first cut and short regrowth interval of second-cut ley was compared with the second-cut silage diets to evaluate the difference in dairy cow performance between second- and third-cut silages. Postponing the first cut and extending the regrowth interval decreased dry matter intake (DMI), energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield, nutrient digestibility, and urinary energy output, but improved N efficiency (milk N/N intake). Postponing the first cut also decreased the efficiency of metabolizable energy use for lactation, but increased CH4 yield (CH4/DMI). Extending the regrowth interval decreased feed efficiency (ECM/DMI) and increased CH4 intensity (CH4/ECM). Thus, feeding regrowth silages in 2- or 3-cut systems harvested after an early first cut and short regrowth interval promoted better dairy performance and feed intake, and higher efficiency of feed and energy utilization, but with poorer N efficiency. Feeding third-cut silage improve milk yield and feed efficiency compared with second-cut silages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Degong Pang
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tianhai Yan
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Krizsan
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden.
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9
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Difford G, Løvendahl P, Veerkamp R, Bovenhuis H, Visker M, Lassen J, de Haas Y. Can greenhouse gases in breath be used to genetically improve feed efficiency of dairy cows? J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:2442-2459. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Construction and Operation of a Respiration Chamber of the Head-Box Type for Methane Measurement from Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10020227. [PMID: 32023859 PMCID: PMC7070353 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The aim of the present work is to describe the construction and operation of a respiration chamber of the head-box type for measuring methane emissions from bovines. Methane is a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO2 in its capacity of producing the greenhouse effect and global warming. This gas is produced in considerable amounts by cattle as part of its normal digestion process; approximately 37% of the global anthropogenic methane emissions originate from the livestock industry. Measuring emissions of methane by cattle is necessary for inventory calculation and the evaluation of mitigation policies of this gas. The gold standard technique for measuring methane emissions from cattle is the respiration chamber; however, respiration chambers are expensive pieces of equipment that are not easily available for developing countries. Since a large proportion of the world’s cattle population is in the developing countries, a cheaper option is necessary. A respiration chamber of the head-box type is an option because of its low cost and high accuracy in estimating emissions. This chamber can be used to determine in vivo methane emission factors for those countries that do not have full respiration chambers. It can also be used to conduct experiments to evaluate the anti-methanogenic effects of different compounds. Abstract This paper aims to describe the construction and operation of a respiration chamber of the head-box type for methane (CH4) measurements in bovines. The system consists of (1) a head box with a stainless steel frame and acrylic walls, floor, and ceiling; (2) a stainless steel feeder; (3) an automatic drinking water bowl; (4) a hood made from reinforced canvas; (5) an infrared (IR) CH4 gas analyzer, a mass flow generator, a data-acquisition system; and (6) a steel metabolic box. Six assays were conducted to determine the pure CH4 recovery rate of the whole system in order to validate it and comply with standards of chamber operation. The gravimetrical method was used for the recovery test and the recovery rate obtained was 1.04 ± 0.05. Once the system was calibrated, measurements of CH4 were conducted using eight animals consisting of four Holstein cows with a live weight of 593.8 ± 51 kg and an average milk yield of 23.3 ± 1.8 kg d−1 and four heifers with a live weight of 339 ± 28 kg. The CH4 production values were 687 ± 123 and 248 ± 40 L CH4 d−1 for cows and heifers, respectively. The CH4 yield was 19.7 ± 3.4 g and 17.1 ± 3.4 g CH4 kg−1 of dry matter consumed for cows and heifers, respectively. These results are consistent with those reported in the literature.
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11
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Huhtanen P, Hristov AN. Letter to the Editor: Challenging one sensor method for screening dairy cows for reduced methane emissions. J Dairy Sci 2019; 101:9619-9620. [PMID: 30342694 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Huhtanen
- Department of Agricultural Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-90183 Umeå, Sweden.
| | - A N Hristov
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802
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12
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Reynolds MA, Brown-Brandl TM, Judy JV, Herrick KJ, Hales KE, Watson AK, Kononoff PJ. Use of indirect calorimetry to evaluate utilization of energy in lactating Jersey dairy cattle consuming common coproducts. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:320-333. [PMID: 30343910 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The use of coproducts as an alternative feed source is a common practice when formulating dairy rations. A study using 12 multiparous (79 ± 16 d in milk; mean ± standard deviation) lactating Jersey cows was conducted over 5 mo to evaluate the effects of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) or canola meal on milk and gas production. A replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to compare 4 dietary treatments. Treatments comprised a control (CON) containing no coproducts, a treatment diet containing 10% (dry matter basis) low-fat DDGS (LFDG), a treatment diet containing 10% high-fat DDGS (HFDG), and a 10% canola meal (CM) treatment. The crude fat content of the LFDG, HFDG, and CM treatments was 6.05 ± 0.379, 10.0 ± 0.134, and 3.46 ± 0.085%, respectively. Coproducts were included in partial replacement for corn and soybean meal. Indirect headbox-style calorimeters were used to estimate heat production. Dry matter intake and milk yield were similar between all treatments, averaging 17.4 ± 0.56 kg/d and 24.0 ± 0.80 kg, respectively. Milk urea N was affected by treatment and was highest in CON (20.6 mg/dL; 18.0, 19.9, and 18.1 ± 0.62 mg/dL in LFDG, CM, and HFDG, respectively). Heat production per unit of metabolic body weight tended to be affected by treatment and was lowest for CON, and diets containing coproducts were not different (192, 200, 215, and 204 ± 5.91 kcal/kg of metabolic body weight for CON, LFDG, CM, and HFDG, respectively). The concentration of metabolizable energy was affected by dietary treatment; specifically, HFDG did not differ from CON but was greater than LFDG and CM (2.58, 2.46, 2.29, and 2.27 ± 0.09 Mcal/kg for HFDG, CON, LFDG, and CM, respectively). The concentration of net energy balance (milk plus tissue) tended to be affected by dietary treatment; HFDG did not differ from either CON or LFDG, but it was higher than CM (1.38, 1.36, 1.14, and 1.06 ± 0.11 Mcal/kg for HFDG, CON, LFDG, and CM, respectively). Results of this study indicate that milk production and dry matter intake were not affected by feeding common coproducts and that differences may result in whole-animal energy use; fat content of DDGS is a major factor affecting this.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Reynolds
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln 68583-0908
| | - T M Brown-Brandl
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68818
| | - J V Judy
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln 68583-0908
| | | | - K E Hales
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68818
| | - A K Watson
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln 68583-0908
| | - P J Kononoff
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln 68583-0908.
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13
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Jonker A, Hickey SM, Rowe SJ, Janssen PH, Shackell GH, Elmes S, Bain WE, Wing J, Greer GJ, Bryson B, MacLean S, Dodds KG, Pinares-Patiño CS, Young EA, Knowler K, Pickering NK, McEwan JC. Genetic parameters of methane emissions determined using portable accumulation chambers in lambs and ewes grazing pasture and genetic correlations with emissions determined in respiration chambers. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:3031-3042. [PMID: 29741677 PMCID: PMC6095386 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Methane (CH4) emission traits were previously found to be heritable and repeatable in sheep fed alfalfa pellets in respiration chambers (RC). More rapid screening methods are, however, required to increase genetic progress and to provide a cost-effective method to the farming industry for maintaining the generation of breeding values in the future. The objective of the current study was to determine CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions using several 1-h portable accumulation chamber (PAC) measurements from lambs and again as ewes while grazing ryegrass-based pasture. Many animals with PAC measurements were also measured in RC while fed alfalfa pellets at 2.0 × maintenance metabolizable energy requirements (MEm). Heritability estimates from mixed models for CH4 and CO2 production (g/d) were 0.19 and 0.16, respectively, when measured using PAC with lambs; 0.20 and 0.27, respectively, when measured using PAC with ewes; and 0.23 and 0.34, respectively, when measured using RC with lambs. For measured gas traits, repeatabilities of measurements collected 14 d apart ranged from 0.33 to 0.55 for PAC (combined lambs and ewes) and were greater at 0.65 to 0.76 for the same traits measured using RC. Genetic correlations (rg) between PAC in lambs and ewes were 0.99 for CH4, 0.93 for CH4 + CO2, and 0.85 for CH4/(CH4 + CO2), suggesting that CH4 emissions in lambs and ewes are the same trait. Genetic correlations between PAC and RC measurements were lower, at 0.62 to 0.67 for CH4 and 0.41 to 0.42 for CH4 + CO2, likely reflecting different environmental conditions associated with the protocols used with the 2 measurement methods. The CH4/(CH4 + CO2) ratio was the most similar genetic trait measured using PAC (both lambs and ewes, 63% and 66% selection efficiency, respectively) compared with CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) measured using RC. These results suggest that PAC measurements have considerable value as a rapid low-cost method to estimate breeding values for CH4 emissions in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan Jonker
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Sharon M Hickey
- Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne J Rowe
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Peter H Janssen
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Grant H Shackell
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Elmes
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Wendy E Bain
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Janine Wing
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Gordon J Greer
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Brooke Bryson
- Woodlands Research Station, AgResearch Ltd., Woodlands, New Zealand
| | - Sarah MacLean
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Ken G Dodds
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | | | - Emilly A Young
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Knowler
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand.,Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | | | - John C McEwan
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
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14
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Alemu AW, Vyas D, Manafiazar G, Basarab JA, Beauchemin KA. Enteric methane emissions from low- and high-residual feed intake beef heifers measured using GreenFeed and respiration chamber techniques. J Anim Sci 2018; 95:3727-3737. [PMID: 28805902 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2017.1501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationship between residual feed intake (RFI; g/d) and enteric methane (CH) production (g/kg DM) and to compare CH and carbon dioxide (CO) emissions measured using respiration chambers (RC) and the GreenFeed emission monitoring (GEM) system (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD). A total of 98 crossbred replacement heifers were group housed in 2 pens and fed barley silage ad libitum and their individual feed intakes were recorded by 16 automated feeding bunks (GrowSafe, Airdrie, AB, Canada) for a period of 72 d to determine their phenotypic RFI. Heifers were ranked on the basis of phenotypic RFI, and 16 heifers (8 with low RFI and 8 with high RFI) were randomly selected for enteric CH and CO emissions measurement. Enteric CH and CO emissions of individual animals were measured over two 25-d periods using RC (2 d/period) and GEM systems (all days when not in chambers). During gas measurements metabolic BW tended to be greater ( ≤ 0.09) for high-RFI heifers but ADG tended ( = 0.09) to be greater for low-RFI heifers. As expected, high-RFI heifers consumed 6.9% more feed ( = 0.03) compared to their more efficient counterparts (7.1 vs. 6.6 kg DM/d). Average CH emissions were 202 and 222 g/d ( = 0.02) with the GEM system and 156 and 164 g/d ( = 0.40) with RC for the low- and high-RFI heifers, respectively. When adjusted for feed intake, CH yield (g/kg DMI) was similar for high- and low-RFI heifers (GEM: 27.7 and 28.5, = 0.25; RC: 26.5 and 26.5, = 0.99). However, CH yield differed between the 2 measurement techniques only for the high-RFI group ( = 0.01). Estimates of CO yield (g/kg DMI) also differed between the 2 techniques ( ≤ 0.03). Our study found that high- and low-efficiency cattle produce similar CH yield but different daily CH emissions. The 2 measurement techniques differ in estimating CH and CO emissions, partially because of differences in conditions (lower feed intakes of cattle while in chambers, fewer days measured in chambers) during measurement. We conclude that when intake of animals is known, the GEM system offers a robust and accurate means of estimating CH emissions from animals under field conditions.
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15
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Jonker A, Molano G, Antwi C, Waghorn GC. Enteric methane and carbon dioxide emissions measured using respiration chambers, the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique, and a GreenFeed head-chamber system from beef heifers fed alfalfa silage at three allowances and four feeding frequencies1–3. J Anim Sci 2016; 94:4326-4337. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016-0646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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