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O' Connor E, McGovern FM, Berry DP, Dunne E, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ, Boland TM, Morrison SJ, Aubry A, Yan T, McHugh N. Comparison of greenhouse gas emissions from sheep measured using both respiration and portable accumulation chambers. Animal 2024; 18:101140. [PMID: 38626708 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101140] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Methane (CH4) is a potent gas produced by ruminants, and new measurement techniques are required to generate large datasets suitable for genetic analysis. One such technique are portable accumulation chambers (PAC), a short-term sampling method. The objectives of the current study were to explore the relationship between CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) output measured using both PAC and respiration chambers (RC) in growing lambs, and separately investigate the relationship among CH4, CO2 and measured ad libitum DM intake (DMI). Methane, CO2 and DMI were measured on 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewe lambs (age 253 ± 12 days) using the RC and PAC sequentially. The experiment was conducted over a 14-day period, with DMI measured from days 1 to 14; measurements in RC were conducted from days 10 to 12, while measurements in PAC were taken twice, the day immediately prior to the lambs entering the RC (day 9; PAC Pre-RC) and on the day lambs exited the RC (day 13; PAC Post-RC). Greater CH4 and CO2 output was measured in the RC than in the PAC (P < 0.01); similarly mean CH4 yield was greater when measured in the RC (15.39 ± 0.452 g CH4/kg DMI) compared to PAC (8.01 ± 0.767 g CH4/kg DMI). A moderate correlation of 0.37 was found between CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC and the RC, the corresponding regression coefficient of CH4 output measured in the RC regressed on CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC was close to unity (0.74; SE 0.224). The variance of CH4 and CO2 output within the measurement technique did not differ from each other (P > 0.05). Moderate to strong correlations were found between CH4 and CO2 per kg of live weight and CH4 and CO2 yield. Results from this study highlight the suitability of PAC as a ranking tool to rank animals based on their gaseous output when compared to the RC. However, repeated measurements separated by several days may be beneficial if precise rankings are required. Given the close to unity regression coefficient of CH4 output measured in the RC regressed on CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC suggests that PAC could also be potentially used to estimate absolute CH4 output; however, further research is required to substantiate this claim. When DMI is unknown, CH4 and CO2 per kg of live weight are a suitable alternative to the measurement of CH4 and CO2 yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- E O' Connor
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway H65 R718, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - F M McGovern
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway H65 R718, Ireland
| | - D P Berry
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 P302, Ireland
| | - E Dunne
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway H65 R718, Ireland
| | - J C McEwan
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - S J Rowe
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand
| | - T M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - S J Morrison
- Agri-Food and Bioscience (AFBI), Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DR, UK
| | - A Aubry
- Agri-Food and Bioscience (AFBI), Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DR, UK
| | - T Yan
- Agri-Food and Bioscience (AFBI), Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DR, UK
| | - N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork P61 P302, Ireland.
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2
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Connor EO, McHugh N, Dunne E, Boland TM, Walsh H, Galvin N, McGovern FM. Methane output across life stages in sheep, how it differs from lambs to adult ewes using portable accumulation chambers. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae127. [PMID: 38716561 PMCID: PMC11107117 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae127] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Methane (CH4) produced from enteric fermentation is a potent greenhouse gas produced by ruminant animals. Multiple measurements are required across life stages to develop an understanding of how CH4 output changes throughout the animal's lifetime. The objectives of the current study were to estimate CH4 output across life stages in sheep and to investigate the relationship between CH4 output and dry matter (DM) intake (DMI). Data were generated on a total of 266 female Suffolk and Texel animals. Methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) output, estimated using portable accumulation chambers, and DMI, estimated using the n-alkane technique outdoors and using individual penning indoors, were quantified across the animal's life stage; as lambs (<12 mo), nulliparous hoggets (12 to 24 mo) and ewes (primiparous or greater; > 24 mo). Ewes were further classified as pregnant, lactating, and dry (non-pregnant and non-lactating). Multiple measurements were taken within and across the life stages of the same animals. A linear mixed model was used to determine if CH4 and CO2 output differed across life stages and using a separate linear mixed model the factors associated with CH4 output within each life stage were also investigated. Methane, CO2 output, and DMI differed by life stage (P < 0.05), with lactating ewes producing the greatest amount of CH4 (25.99 g CH4/d) and CO2 (1711.6 g CO2/d), while also having the highest DMI (2.18 kg DM/d). Methane output differed by live-weight of the animals across all life stages (P < 0.001). As ewe body condition score increased CH4 output declined (P < 0.05). Correlations between CH4 output measured across life stages ranged from 0.26 (SE 0.08; lambs and lactating ewes) to 0.59 (SE 0.06; hoggets and pregnant ewes), while correlations between CO2 output measured across life stages ranged from 0.12 (SE 0.06; lambs and hoggets) to 0.65 (SE 0.06; hoggets and lactating ewes). DMI was moderately correlated with CH4 (0.44; SE 0.04) and CO2 output (0.59; SE 0.03). Results from this study provide estimates of CH4 output across life stages in a pasture-based sheep production system and offer valuable information for the national inventory and the marginal abatement cost curve on the optimum time to target mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edel O' Connor
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, H65 R718, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Nóirín McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, P61 P302, Ireland
| | - Eoin Dunne
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, H65 R718, Ireland
| | - Tommy M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - Henry Walsh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, H65 R718, Ireland
| | - Norann Galvin
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, P61 P302, Ireland
| | - Fiona M McGovern
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, H65 R718, Ireland
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Ryan CV, Pabiou T, Purfield DC, Berry DP, Conroy S, Murphy CP, Evans RD. Exploring definitions of daily enteric methane emission phenotypes for genetic evaluations using a population of indoor-fed multi-breed growing cattle with feed intake data. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae034. [PMID: 38323901 PMCID: PMC10889735 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae034] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic selection has been identified as a promising approach for reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions; a prerequisite for genetic evaluations; however, these are estimates of the necessary genetic parameters based on a population representative of where the genetic evaluations will be used. The objective of this study was, therefore, to derive genetic parameters for a series of definitions of CH4, carbon dioxide (CO2), and dry matter intake (DMI) as well as genetic correlations between CH4, CO2, and DMI in a bid to address the paucity of studies involving methane emissions measured in beef cattle using GreenFeed systems. Lastly, estimated breeding values (EBV) were generated for nine alternative definitions of CH4 using the derived genetic parameters; the EBV were validated against both phenotypic performance (adjusted for non-genetic effects) and the Legarra and Reverter method comparing EBV generated for a subset of the dataset compared to EBV generated from the entire dataset. Individual animal CH4 and CO2 records were available from a population of 1,508 multi-breed growing beef cattle using 10 GreenFeed Emission Monitoring systems. Nine trait definitions for CH4 and CO2 were derived: individual spot measures, the average of all spot measures within a 3-h, 6-h, 12-h, 1-d, 5-d, 10-d, and 15-d period and the average of all spot measures across the full test period (20 to 114 d on test). Heritability estimates from 1,155 animals, for CH4, increased as the length of the averaging period increased and ranged from 0.09 ± 0.03 for the individual spot measures trait to 0.43 ± 0.11 for the full test average trait; a similar trend existed for CO2 with the estimated heritability ranging from 0.17 ± 0.04 to 0.50 ± 0.11. Enteric CH4 was moderately to strongly genetically correlated with DMI with a genetic correlation of 0.72 ± 0.02 between the spot measures of CH4 and a 1-d average DMI. Correlations, adjusted for heritability, between the adjusted phenotype and (parental average) EBV ranged from 0.56 to 1.14 across CH4 definitions and the slope between the adjusted phenotype and EBV ranged from 0.92 to 1.16 (expectation = 1). Validation results from the Legarra and Reverter regression method revealed a level bias of between -0.81 and -0.45, a dispersion bias of between 0.93 and 1.17, and ratio accuracy (ratio of the partial evaluation accuracies on whole evaluation accuracies) from 0.28 to 0.38. While EBV validation results yielded no consensus, CH4 is a moderately heritable trait, and selection for reduced CH4 is achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clodagh V Ryan
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Ireland
| | - Thierry Pabiou
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Deirdre C Purfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Ireland
| | - Donagh P Berry
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Stephen Conroy
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Craig P Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Ireland
| | - Ross D Evans
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland
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Roskam E, O’Donnell C, Hayes M, Kirwan SF, Kenny DA, O’Flaherty V, McGovern FM, Claffey N, Waters SM. Enteric methane emission reduction potential of natural feed supplements in ewe diets. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skad421. [PMID: 38206107 PMCID: PMC10876037 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad421] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Research into the potential use of various dietary feed supplements to reduce methane (CH4) production from ruminants has proliferated in recent years. In this study, two 8-wk long experiments were conducted with mature ewes and incorporated the use of a variety of natural dietary feed supplements offered either independently or in combination. Both experiments followed a randomized complete block design. Ewes were offered a basal diet in the form of ad libitum access to grass silage supplemented with 0.5 kg concentrates/ewe/d. The entire daily dietary concentrate allocation, incorporating the respective feed supplement, was offered each morning, and this was followed by the daily silage allocation. In experiment 1, the experimental diets contained 1) no supplementation (CON), 2) Ascophyllum nodosum (SW), 3) A. nodosum extract (EX1), 4) a blend of garlic and citrus extracts (GAR), and 5) a blend of essential oils (EO). In experiment 2, the experimental diets contained 1) no supplementation (CON), 2) A. nodosum extract (EX2), 3) soya oil (SO), and 4) a combination of EX2 and SO (EXSO). Twenty ewes per treatment were individually housed during both experiments. Methane was measured using portable accumulation chambers. Rumen fluid was collected at the end of both experiments for subsequent volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ammonia analyses. Data were analyzed using mixed models ANOVA (PROC MIXED, SAS v9.4). Statistically significant differences between treatment means were considered when P < 0.05. Dry matter intake was not affected by diet in either experiment (P > 0.05). Ewes offered EO tended to have an increased feed:gain ratio relative to CON (P < 0.10) and SO tended to increase the average daily gain (P < 0.10) which resulted in animals having a higher final body weight (P < 0.05) than CON. Ewes offered EX1 and SO emitted 9% less CH4 g/d than CON. The only dietary treatment to have an effect on rumen fermentation variables relative to CON was SW, which enhanced total VFA production (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the A. nodosum extract had inconsistent results on CH4 emissions whereby EX1 reduced CH4 g/d while EX2 had no mitigating effect on CH4 production, likely due to the differences in PT content reported for EX1 and EX2. SO was the only dietary feed supplement assessed in the current study that enhanced animal performance whilst mitigating daily CH4 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Roskam
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Caroline O’Donnell
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Maria Hayes
- Food BioSciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland
| | - Stuart F Kirwan
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland
- UCD School of Agricultural and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Vincent O’Flaherty
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Fiona M McGovern
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Noel Claffey
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
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5
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Hess MK, Hodgkinson HE, Hess AS, Zetouni L, Budel JCC, Henry H, Donaldson A, Bilton TP, van Stijn TC, Kirk MR, Dodds KG, Brauning R, McCulloch AF, Hickey SM, Johnson PL, Jonker A, Morton N, Hendy S, Oddy VH, Janssen PH, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ. Large-scale analysis of sheep rumen metagenome profiles captured by reduced representation sequencing reveals individual profiles are influenced by the environment and genetics of the host. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:551. [PMID: 37723422 PMCID: PMC10506323 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09660-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Producing animal protein while reducing the animal's impact on the environment, e.g., through improved feed efficiency and lowered methane emissions, has gained interest in recent years. Genetic selection is one possible path to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production, but these traits are difficult and expensive to measure on many animals. The rumen microbiome may serve as a proxy for these traits due to its role in feed digestion. Restriction enzyme-reduced representation sequencing (RE-RRS) is a high-throughput and cost-effective approach to rumen metagenome profiling, but the systematic (e.g., sequencing) and biological factors influencing the resulting reference based (RB) and reference free (RF) profiles need to be explored before widespread industry adoption is possible. RESULTS Metagenome profiles were generated by RE-RRS of 4,479 rumen samples collected from 1,708 sheep, and assigned to eight groups based on diet, age, time off feed, and country (New Zealand or Australia) at the time of sample collection. Systematic effects were found to have minimal influence on metagenome profiles. Diet was a major driver of differences between samples, followed by time off feed, then age of the sheep. The RF approach resulted in more reads being assigned per sample and afforded greater resolution when distinguishing between groups than the RB approach. Normalizing relative abundances within the sampling Cohort abolished structures related to age, diet, and time off feed, allowing a clear signal based on methane emissions to be elucidated. Genus-level abundances of rumen microbes showed low-to-moderate heritability and repeatability and were consistent between diets. CONCLUSIONS Variation in rumen metagenomic profiles was influenced by diet, age, time off feed and genetics. Not accounting for environmental factors may limit the ability to associate the profile with traits of interest. However, these differences can be accounted for by adjusting for Cohort effects, revealing robust biological signals. The abundances of some genera were consistently heritable and repeatable across different environments, suggesting that metagenomic profiles could be used to predict an individual's future performance, or performance of its offspring, in a range of environments. These results highlight the potential of using rumen metagenomic profiles for selection purposes in a practical, agricultural setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K Hess
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand.
| | - Hannah E Hodgkinson
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Andrew S Hess
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
- Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences, University of Nevada-Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St. Mail stop 202, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Larissa Zetouni
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
- Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700, AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Juliana C C Budel
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPa), Castanhal, Brazil
| | - Hannah Henry
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Alistair Donaldson
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of New England, Armidale, 2351, Australia
| | - Timothy P Bilton
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Tracey C van Stijn
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Michelle R Kirk
- AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11,008, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - Ken G Dodds
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Rudiger Brauning
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Alan F McCulloch
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Sharon M Hickey
- AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Private Bag 3115, Hamilton, 3214, New Zealand
| | - Patricia L Johnson
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Arjan Jonker
- AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11,008, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - Nickolas Morton
- Te Pūnaha Matatini, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Shaun Hendy
- Te Pūnaha Matatini, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - V Hutton Oddy
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of New England, Armidale, 2351, Australia
| | - Peter H Janssen
- AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11,008, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - John C McEwan
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne J Rowe
- AgResearch Ltd., Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
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Hess MK, Zetouni L, Hess AS, Budel J, Dodds KG, Henry HM, Brauning R, McCulloch AF, Hickey SM, Johnson PL, Elmes S, Wing J, Bryson B, Knowler K, Hyndman D, Baird H, McRae KM, Jonker A, Janssen PH, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ. Combining host and rumen metagenome profiling for selection in sheep: prediction of methane, feed efficiency, production, and health traits. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:53. [PMID: 37491204 PMCID: PMC10367317 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00822-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rumen microbes break down complex dietary carbohydrates into energy sources for the host and are increasingly shown to be a key aspect of animal performance. Host genotypes can be combined with microbial DNA sequencing to predict performance traits or traits related to environmental impact, such as enteric methane emissions. Metagenome profiles were generated from 3139 rumen samples, collected from 1200 dual purpose ewes, using restriction enzyme-reduced representation sequencing (RE-RRS). Phenotypes were available for methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the ratio of CH4 to CH4 plus CO2 (CH4Ratio), feed efficiency (residual feed intake: RFI), liveweight at the time of methane collection (LW), liveweight at 8 months (LW8), fleece weight at 12 months (FW12) and parasite resistance measured by faecal egg count (FEC1). We estimated the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by host genetics and the rumen microbiome, as well as prediction accuracies for each of these traits. RESULTS Incorporating metagenome profiles increased the variance explained and prediction accuracy compared to fitting only genomics for all traits except for CO2 emissions when animals were on a grass diet. Combining the metagenome profile with host genotype from lambs explained more than 70% of the variation in methane emissions and residual feed intake. Predictions were generally more accurate when incorporating metagenome profiles compared to genetics alone, even when considering profiles collected at different ages (lamb vs adult), or on different feeds (grass vs lucerne pellet). A reference-free approach to metagenome profiling performed better than metagenome profiles that were restricted to capturing genera from a reference database. We hypothesise that our reference-free approach is likely to outperform other reference-based approaches such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing for use in prediction of individual animal performance. CONCLUSIONS This paper shows the potential of using RE-RRS as a low-cost, high-throughput approach for generating metagenome profiles on thousands of animals for improved prediction of economically and environmentally important traits. A reference-free approach using a microbial relationship matrix from log10 proportions of each tag normalized within cohort (i.e., the group of animals sampled at the same time) is recommended for future predictions using RE-RRS metagenome profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K Hess
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand.
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Agricultural Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583, USA.
| | - Larissa Zetouni
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
- Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew S Hess
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
- University of Nevada, Reno, Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences, 1664 N. Virginia St., Mail Stop 202, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Juliana Budel
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPa), Castanhal, Brazil
| | - Ken G Dodds
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Hannah M Henry
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Rudiger Brauning
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Alan F McCulloch
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Sharon M Hickey
- Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 3115, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Patricia L Johnson
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Sara Elmes
- Deer Industry New Zealand, PO Box 10702, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Janine Wing
- Pāmu, Landcorp Farming Ltd, PO Box 5349, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
| | - Brooke Bryson
- Woodlands Research Farm, AgResearch Ltd., 204 Woodlands-Morton Mains Road, Woodlands, 9871, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Knowler
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Dianne Hyndman
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Hayley Baird
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn M McRae
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Arjan Jonker
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - Peter H Janssen
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - John C McEwan
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne J Rowe
- University Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
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7
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Genomic insights into the physiology of Quinella, an iconic uncultured rumen bacterium. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6240. [PMID: 36266280 PMCID: PMC9585023 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34013-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Quinella is a genus of iconic rumen bacteria first reported in 1913. There are no cultures of these bacteria, and information on their physiology is scarce and contradictory. Increased abundance of Quinella was previously found in the rumens of some sheep that emit low amounts of methane (CH4) relative to their feed intake, but whether Quinella contributes to low CH4 emissions is not known. Here, we concentrate Quinella cells from sheep rumen contents, extract and sequence DNA, and reconstruct Quinella genomes that are >90% complete with as little as 0.20% contamination. Bioinformatic analyses of the encoded proteins indicate that lactate and propionate formation are major fermentation pathways. The presence of a gene encoding a potential uptake hydrogenase suggests that Quinella might be able to use free hydrogen (H2). None of the inferred metabolic pathways is predicted to produce H2, a major precursor of CH4, which is consistent with the lower CH4 emissions from those sheep with high abundances of this bacterium.
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8
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Hickey SM, Bain WE, Bilton TP, Greer GJ, Elmes S, Bryson B, Pinares-Patiño CS, Wing J, Jonker A, Young EA, Knowler K, Pickering NK, Dodds KG, Janssen PH, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ. Impact of breeding for reduced methane emissions in New Zealand sheep on maternal and health traits. Front Genet 2022; 13:910413. [PMID: 36246641 PMCID: PMC9561099 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.910413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric methane emissions from ruminants account for ∼35% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. This poses a significant threat to the pastoral sector. Breeding has been shown to successfully lower methane emissions, and genomic prediction for lowered methane emissions has been introduced at the national level. The long-term genetic impacts of including low methane in ruminant breeding programs, however, are unknown. The success of the New Zealand sheep industry is currently heavily reliant on the prolificacy, fecundity and survival of adult ewes. The objective of this study was to determine genetic and phenotypic correlations between adult maternal ewe traits (live weight, body condition score, number of lambs born, litter survival to weaning, pregnancy scanning and fleece weight), faecal and Nematodirus egg counts and measures of methane in respiration chambers. More than 9,000 records for methane from over 2,200 sheep measured in respiration chambers were collected over 10 years. Sheep were fed on a restricted diet calculated as approximately twice the maintenance. Methane measures were converted to absolute daily emissions of methane measured in g per day (CH4/day). Two measures of methane yield were recorded: the ratio of CH4 to dry matter intake (g CH4/kg DMI; CH4/DMI) and the ratio of CH4 to total gas emissions (CH4/(CH4 + CO2)). Ewes were maintained in the flocks for at least two parities. Non-methane trait data from over 8,000 female relatives were collated to estimate genetic correlations. Results suggest that breeding for low CH4/DMI is unlikely to negatively affect faecal egg counts, adult ewe fertility and litter survival traits, with no evidence for significant genetic correlations. Fleece weight was unfavourably (favourably) correlated with CH4/DMI (rg = −0.21 ± 0.09). Live weight (rg = 0.3 ± 0.1) and body condition score (rg = 0.2 ± 0.1) were positively correlated with methane yield. Comparing the two estimates of methane yield, CH4/DMI had lower heritability and repeatability. However, correlations of both measures with adult ewe traits were similar. This suggests that breeding is a suitable mitigation strategy for lowering methane yield, but wool, live weight and fat deposition traits may be affected over time and should be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wendy E. Bain
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | | | - Gordon J. Greer
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Sara Elmes
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Brooke Bryson
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | | | - Janine Wing
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Arjan Jonker
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Emily A. Young
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Knowler
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | | | - Ken G. Dodds
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Peter H. Janssen
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - John C. McEwan
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne J. Rowe
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Suzanne J. Rowe,
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9
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Rowe SJ, Hickey SM, Bain WE, Greer GJ, Johnson PL, Elmes S, Pinares-Patiño CS, Young EA, Dodds KG, Knowler K, Pickering NK, Jonker A, McEwan JC. Can we have our steak and eat it: The impact of breeding for lowered environmental impact on yield and meat quality in sheep. Front Genet 2022; 13:911355. [PMID: 36186444 PMCID: PMC9523426 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.911355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Global agreements in place to reduce methane emissions in livestock are a potential threat to food security. Successful but independent breeding strategies for improved production and lower methane are in place. The unanswered questions are whether these strategies can be combined and how they impact one another, physically and economically. The New Zealand economy is largely dependent on pastoral agriculture from grazing ruminants. The sheep industry produces ∼20 million lamb carcasses for export each year primarily from grass. Methane emitted from the fermentation of forage by grazing ruminants accounts for one-third of all New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we use sheep selection lines bred for divergent methane production and large numbers of their relatives to determine the genetic and phenotypic correlations between enteric methane emissions, carcass yield, and meat quality. The primary objectives were to determine whether previously shown physiological differences between methane selection lines (differing by ∼12% in methane) result in a negative impact on meat production and quality by measuring close relatives. The results show no negative effects of breeding for lowered methane on meat and carcass quality. Gross methane emissions were highly correlated with liveweight and measures of carcass weight and negatively correlated with dressing-out percentage and fat yield (GR). Trends were similar but not significant for methane yield (g CH4/kg DMI). Preliminary evidence, to date, shows that breeding for low methane may result in animals with higher lean yields that are economically favorable even before carbon costs and environmental benefits are taken into account. These benefits were seen in animals measured for methane on fixed intakes and require validation on intakes that are allowed to vary.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. J. Rowe
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: S. J. Rowe,
| | - S. M. Hickey
- Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - W. E. Bain
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - G. J. Greer
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - P. L. Johnson
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - S. Elmes
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | | | - E. A. Young
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - K. G. Dodds
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - K. Knowler
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - N. K. Pickering
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - A. Jonker
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - J. C. McEwan
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
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10
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Johnson PL, Hickey S, Knowler K, Wing J, Bryson B, Hall M, Jonker A, Janssen PH, Dodds KG, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ. Genetic parameters for residual feed intake, methane emissions, and body composition in New Zealand maternal sheep. Front Genet 2022; 13:911639. [PMID: 36051695 PMCID: PMC9425048 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.911639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is simultaneous interest in improving the feed efficiency of ruminant livestock and reducing methane (CH4) emissions. The relationship (genetic and phenotypic) between feed efficiency (characterized as residual feed intake: RFI) and greenhouse gases [methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2)] traits in New Zealand (NZ) maternal sheep has not previously been investigated, nor has their relationship with detailed estimates of body composition. To investigate these relationships in NZ maternal sheep, a feed intake facility was established at AgResearch Invermay, Mosgiel, NZ in 2015, comprising automated feeders that record individual feeding events. Individual measures of feed intake, feeding behavior (length and duration of eating events), and gas emissions (estimated using portable accumulation chambers) were generated on 986 growing maternal ewe lambs sourced from three pedigree recorded flocks registered in the Sheep Improvement Limited database (www.sil.co.nz). Additional data were generated from a subset of 591 animals for body composition (estimated using ultrasound and computed tomography scanning). The heritability estimates for RFI, CH4, and CH4/(CH4+CO2) were 0.42 ± 0.09, 0.32 ± 0.08, and 0.29 ± 0.06, respectively. The heritability estimates for the body composition traits were high for carcass lean and fat traits; for example, the heritability for visceral fat (adjusted for body weight) was 0.93 ± 0.19. The relationship between RFI and CH4 emissions was complex, and although less feed eaten will lead to a lowered absolute amount of CH4 emitted, there was a negative phenotypic and genetic correlation between RFI and CH4/(CH4+CO2) of −0.13 ± 0.03 and −0.41 ± 0.15, respectively. There were also genetic correlations, that were different from zero, between both RFI and CH4 traits with body composition including a negative correlation between the proportion of visceral fat in the body and RFI (−0.52 ± 0.16) and a positive correlation between the proportion of lean in the body and CH4 (0.54 ± 0.12). Together the results provide the first accurate estimates of the genetic correlations between RFI, CH4 emissions, and the body composition (lean and fat) in sheep. These correlations will need to be accounted for in genetic improvement programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia L. Johnson
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Patricia L. Johnson,
| | - Sharon Hickey
- Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Knowler
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Janine Wing
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Brooke Bryson
- Woodlands Research Station, AgResearch Ltd., Woodlands, New Zealand
| | - Melanie Hall
- Woodlands Research Station, AgResearch Ltd., Woodlands, New Zealand
| | - Arjan Jonker
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Peter H. Janssen
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Ken G. Dodds
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - John C. McEwan
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne J. Rowe
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Mosgiel, New Zealand
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11
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Budel JCC, Hess MK, Bilton TP, Henry H, Dodds KG, Janssen PH, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ. Low-cost sample preservation methods for high-throughput processing of rumen microbiomes. Anim Microbiome 2022; 4:39. [PMID: 35668514 PMCID: PMC9171989 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-022-00190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of rumen microbial community (RMC) profiles to predict methane emissions has driven interest in ruminal DNA preservation and extraction protocols that can be processed cheaply while also maintaining or improving DNA quality for RMC profiling. Our standard approach for preserving rumen samples, as defined in the Global Rumen Census (GRC), requires time-consuming pre-processing steps of freeze drying and grinding prior to international transportation and DNA extraction. This impedes researchers unable to access sufficient funding or infrastructure. To circumvent these pre-processing steps, we investigated three methods of preserving rumen samples for subsequent DNA extraction, based on existing lysis buffers Tris-NaCl-EDTA-SDS (TNx2) and guanidine hydrochloride (GHx2), or 100% ethanol. Results Rumen samples were collected via stomach intubation from 151 sheep at two time-points 2 weeks apart. Each sample was separated into four subsamples and preserved using the three preservation methods and the GRC method (n = 4 × 302). DNA was extracted and sequenced using Restriction Enzyme-Reduced Representation Sequencing to generate RMC profiles. Differences in DNA yield, quality and integrity, and sequencing metrics were observed across the methods (p < 0.0001). Ethanol exhibited poorer quality DNA (A260/A230 < 2) and more failed samples compared to the other methods. Samples preserved using the GRC method had smaller relative abundances in gram-negative genera Anaerovibrio, Bacteroides, Prevotella, Selenomonas, and Succiniclasticum, but larger relative abundances in the majority of 56 additional genera compared to TNx2 and GHx2. However, log10 relative abundances across all genera and time-points for TNx2 and GHx2 were on average consistent (R2 > 0.99) but slightly more variable compared to the GRC method. Relative abundances were moderately to highly correlated (0.68 ± 0.13) between methods for samples collected within a time-point, which was greater than the average correlation (0.17 ± 0.11) between time-points within a preservation method. Conclusions The two modified lysis buffers solutions (TNx2 and GHx2) proposed in this study were shown to be viable alternatives to the GRC method for RMC profiling in sheep. Use of these preservative solutions reduces cost and improves throughput associated with processing and sequencing ruminal samples. This development could significantly advance implementation of RMC profiles as a tool for breeding ruminant livestock. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-022-00190-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana C C Budel
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand.,Graduate Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Pará, UFPA, Castanhal, 68740-970, Brazil
| | - Melanie K Hess
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Timothy P Bilton
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand.
| | - Hannah Henry
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Ken G Dodds
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Peter H Janssen
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4410, New Zealand
| | - John C McEwan
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne J Rowe
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand
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12
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Sepulveda BJ, Muir SK, Bolormaa S, Knight MI, Behrendt R, MacLeod IM, Pryce JE, Daetwyler HD. Eating Time as a Genetic Indicator of Methane Emissions and Feed Efficiency in Australian Maternal Composite Sheep. Front Genet 2022; 13:883520. [PMID: 35646089 PMCID: PMC9130857 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.883520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown reduced enteric methane emissions (ME) and residual feed intake (RFI) through the application of genomic selection in ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate feeding behaviour traits as genetic indicators for ME and RFI in Australian Maternal Composite ewes using data from an automated feed intake facility. The feeding behaviour traits evaluated were the amount of time spent eating per day (eating time; ETD; min/day) and per visit (eating time per event; ETE; min/event), daily number of events (DNE), event feed intake (EFI; g/event) and eating rate (ER; g/min). Genotypes and phenotypes of 445 ewes at three different ages (post-weaning, hogget, and adult) were used to estimate the heritability of ME, RFI, and the feeding behaviour traits using univariate genomic best linear unbiased prediction models. Multivariate models were used to estimate the correlations between these traits and within each trait at different ages. The response to selection was evaluated for ME and RFI with direct selection models and indirect models with ETE as an indicator trait, as this behaviour trait was a promising indicator based on heritability and genetic correlations. Heritabilities were between 0.12 and 0.18 for ME and RFI, and between 0.29 and 0.47 for the eating behaviour traits. In our data, selecting for more efficient animals (low RFI) would lead to higher methane emissions per day and per kg of dry matter intake. Selecting for more ETE also improves feed efficiency but results in more methane per day and per kg dry matter intake. Based on our results, ETE could be evaluated as an indicator trait for ME and RFI under an index approach that allows simultaneous selection for improvement in emissions and feed efficiency. Selecting for ETE may have a tremendous impact on the industry, as it may be easier and cheaper to obtain than feed intake and ME data. As the data were collected using individual feeding units, the findings on this research should be validated under grazing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris J Sepulveda
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Sunduimijid Bolormaa
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Ralph Behrendt
- Agriculture Victoria, Hamilton Centre, Hamilton, VIC, Australia
| | - Iona M MacLeod
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennie E Pryce
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans D Daetwyler
- Agriculture Victoria, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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13
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Muir SK, Behrendt R, Moniruzzaman M, Kearney G, Knight MI. Automated feeding of sheep. 2. Feeding behaviour influences the methane emissions of sheep offered restricted diets. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/an20634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
During the non-growing season of pastures and during droughts, the dry-matter intake (DMI) of sheep is often constrained due to low pasture availability and the need to feed for weight loss or maintenance. Below-maintenance feeding may have consequences for methane (CH4) production and yield in farm systems.
Aims
The effect of six restricted feeding levels on CH4 emissions measured using portable accumulation chambers (PACs) was examined in relation to DMI, oxygen consumption (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and observed changes in feeding behaviour in sheep fed with automated feeders.
Methods
An automated feeding system was used to apply daily feeding levels to Maternal Composite ewes (n=126). Sheep were adapted to the automated feeding system over 19days, with unlimited access to feed. Following adaptation, sheep were allocated to restricted daily feed levels at 40%, 80%, 100%, 140% and 180% of estimated maintenance requirements (MR) for 41days. Methane, CO2 and O2 emissions from ewes were measured using PACs on Days 30 and 31 of the restricted feeding period.
Key results
Methane production (g/day) increased (P<0.001) with the level of feeding. However, time since the last meal decreased with the level of feeding and was associated with CH4 production. Sheep on lower levels of feeding tended to consume meals earlier in the day and had longer times since their last meal at PAC measurement and lower CH4 production. These two factors explained 58.7% of the variance in CH4 production in an additive linear model. Methane yield (gCH4/kg DMI) decreased as the level of feeding was increased.
Conclusions
Methane emissions were affected not only by daily DMI, but also time since the last meal. An understanding of the effect of feeding behaviour and time since the last meal should be incorporated into feeding protocols prior to CH4 measurements when PACs are being used to measure CH4 emissions from sheep fed restricted diets.
Implications
Utilising automated feeders may improve the accuracy of PAC measurements of sheep CH4 emissions fed both ad libitum and restricted feed amounts, by increasing understanding of DMI and feeding behaviour.
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14
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Wahinya PK, Oddy VH, Dominik S, Brown DJ, Macleay CA, Paganoni B, Thompson AN, Donaldson AJ, Austin K, Cameron M, van der Werf JHJ. Genetic parameters for methane emissions in Australian sheep measured in portable accumulation chambers in grazing and controlled environments. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/an21270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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15
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Asselstine V, Lam S, Miglior F, Brito LF, Sweett H, Guan L, Waters SM, Plastow G, Cánovas A. The potential for mitigation of methane emissions in ruminants through the application of metagenomics, metabolomics, and other -OMICS technologies. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6377879. [PMID: 34586400 PMCID: PMC8480417 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ruminant supply chains contribute 5.7 gigatons of CO2-eq per annum, which represents approximately 80% of the livestock sector emissions. One of the largest sources of emission in the ruminant sector is methane (CH4), accounting for approximately 40% of the sectors total emissions. With climate change being a growing concern, emphasis is being put on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including those from ruminant production. Various genetic and environmental factors influence cattle CH4 production, such as breed, genetic makeup, diet, management practices, and physiological status of the host. The influence of genetic variability on CH4 yield in ruminants indicates that genomic selection for reduced CH4 emissions is possible. Although the microbiology of CH4 production has been studied, further research is needed to identify key differences in the host and microbiome genomes and how they interact with one another. The advancement of “-omics” technologies, such as metabolomics and metagenomics, may provide valuable information in this regard. Improved understanding of genetic mechanisms associated with CH4 production and the interaction between the microbiome profile and host genetics will increase the rate of genetic progress for reduced CH4 emissions. Through a systems biology approach, various “-omics” technologies can be combined to unravel genomic regions and genetic markers associated with CH4 production, which can then be used in selective breeding programs. This comprehensive review discusses current challenges in applying genomic selection for reduced CH4 emissions, and the potential for “-omics” technologies, especially metabolomics and metagenomics, to minimize such challenges. The integration and evaluation of different levels of biological information using a systems biology approach is also discussed, which can assist in understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms and biology of CH4 production traits in ruminants and aid in reducing agriculture’s overall environmental footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Asselstine
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL), Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stephanie Lam
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL), Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Filippo Miglior
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL), Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Luiz F Brito
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL), Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.,Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Hannah Sweett
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL), Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Leluo Guan
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2C8, Canada
| | - Sinead M Waters
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - Graham Plastow
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2C8, Canada
| | - Angela Cánovas
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL), Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
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16
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O’ Connor E, McHugh N, Boland TM, Dunne E, McGovern FM. Investigation of intra-day variability of gaseous measurements in sheep using portable accumulation chambers. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:skab132. [PMID: 34417802 PMCID: PMC8379718 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Portable accumulation chambers (PAC) enable short-term spot measurements of gaseous emissions including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and oxygen (O2) consumption from small ruminants. To date the differences in morning and evening gaseous measurements in the PAC have not been investigated. The objectives of this study were to investigate: 1) the optimal measurement time in the PAC, 2) the appropriate method of accounting for the animal's size when calculating the animal's gaseous output, and 3) the intra-day variability of gaseous measurements. A total of 12 ewe lambs (c. 10 to 11 months of age) were randomly selected each day from a cohort of 48 animals over nine consecutive days. Methane emissions from the 12 lambs were measured in 12 PAC during two measurement runs daily, AM (8 to 10 h) and PM (14 to 16 h). Animals were removed from Perennial ryegrass silage for at least 1 h prior to measurements in the PAC and animals were assigned randomly to each of the 12 chambers. Methane (ppm) concentration, O2 and CO2 percentage were measured at 5 time points (T1 = 0.0 min, T2 = 12.5 min, T3 = 25.0 min, T4 = 37.5 min, and T5 = 50.0 min from entry of the first animal into the first chamber) using an Eagle 2 monitor. The correlation between time points T5-T1 (i.e., 50 min minus 0 min after entry of the animal to the chamber) and T4-T1 was 0.95, 0.92, and 0.77 for CH4, O2, and CO2, respectively (P < 0.01). The correlation between CH4 and CO2 output and O2 consumption, calculated with live-weight and with body volume was 0.99 (P < 0.001). The correlation between the PAC measurement recorded on the same animal in the AM and PM measurement runs was 0.73. Factors associated with CH4 production included: day and time of measurement, the live-weight of the animal and the hourly relative humidity. Results from this study suggest that the optimal time for measuring an animal's gaseous output in the PAC is 50 min, that live-weight should be used in the calculation of gaseous output from an animal and that the measurement of an animal's gaseous emissions in either the AM or PM does not impact on the ranking of animals when gaseous emissions are measured using the feeding and measurement protocol outlined in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edel O’ Connor
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Nóirín McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Tommy M Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Eoin Dunne
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Fiona M McGovern
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
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17
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Cezimbra IM, de Albuquerque Nunes PA, de Souza Filho W, Tischler MR, Genro TCM, Bayer C, Savian JV, Bonnet OJF, Soussana JF, de Faccio Carvalho PC. Potential of grazing management to improve beef cattle production and mitigate methane emissions in native grasslands of the Pampa biome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146582. [PMID: 34030331 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that improving sward structure through adjustments in forage allowance results in greater forage intake and live weight (LW) gains by beef cattle and lower CH4 emissions per unit LW gain and unit area in a native grassland ecosystem of the Pampa biome. The experiment was carried out during 2012 and 2013 in southern Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two replicates. Treatments consisted of five contrasting forage allowances of a native grassland managed under continuous stocking: 4, 8, 8-12, 12, and 16 kg of dry matter (DM) 100 kg LW-1 day-1 (or % LW). The 8-12% LW treatment had a variable forage allowance of 8% LW in spring and 12% LW in summer, autumn, and winter. Forage allowance was controlled by changes in stocking rate (kg LW ha-1). Average daily gain (kg LW day-1) was high for forage allowances of 12 and 16% LW but decreased at 8%, reaching the lowest value at 4% LW treatment (p < 0.001). Live weight gain ha-1 year-1 was the greatest at forage allowance of 8-12% LW (p < 0.001). Forage DM intake peaked at a forage allowance of 12% LW (p = 0.005). Individual CH4 emissions remained constant around 150 g day-1 for the two highest forage allowances and decreased to 118 and 107 g day-1 under forage allowances of 8 and 4% LW, respectively (p = 0.002). Emissions per unit LW gain and unit area were driven by animal productivity changes and decreased with increasing forage allowance (p = 0.001 and p = 0.040, respectively). We propose that the combination of 8% LW forage allowance during spring and 12% LW during the rest of the year should be targeted to best balance animal production and environmental impact in the Pampa biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Machado Cezimbra
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Pedro Arthur de Albuquerque Nunes
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - William de Souza Filho
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Ritzel Tischler
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | | | - Cimélio Bayer
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Jean Víctor Savian
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Programa Pasturas y Forrajes, Estación Experimental INIA Treinta y Tres, Ruta 8, Km 281, Treinta y Tres, Uruguay
| | - Olivier Jean François Bonnet
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Jean-François Soussana
- Unité Mixte de Recherche sur l'Écosystème Prairial (UREP), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Paulo César de Faccio Carvalho
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil.
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Jonker A, Hickey S, Boma P, Woyimo Woju C, Sandoval E, MacLean S, García Rendón Calzada M, Yu W, Lewis S, Janssen PH, McEwan JC, Rowe S. Individual-level correlations of rumen volatile fatty acids with enteric methane emissions for ranking methane yield in sheep fed fresh pasture. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/an20128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Context
Total ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) or acetate concentrations were previously found to be moderate correlated proxies to select sheep that are genetically low methane (CH4) emitters. However, this was based on trials, with sheep fed lucerne pellets at a fixed feeding level, which is different from pastoral farming conditions in New Zealand, where the correlated proxy would be applied.
Aim
To determine repeatability and individual-level correlation of rumen VFAs with CH4 emissions in sheep fed ad libitum cut pasture in three and four repeated periods in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively. Sheep in Experiment 1 were also fed lucerne pellets at 2.0 × maintenance-energy requirements in two periods.
Methods
Methane emissions were measured from 96 and 72 animals, in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively, in respiration chambers and rumen samples were collected via oral stomach tubing before morning feeding. Repeatability estimates between periods within feed and experiment serve as an upper threshold for the estimate of heritability and ri estimates are a proxy for genetic correlation.
Key results
Methane (g/day) production and yield (g/kg dry-matter intake) were low to moderately repeatable traits on pasture across periods (0.58 and 0.39 for CH4 production and 0.43 and 0.32 for yield in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively). On pasture, repeatability was generally greater for VFA proportions (0.13–0.32) than for VFA concentrations (0.02–0.24), while the opposite was the case on lucerne pellets. Rumen propionate as a proportion of total VFA had strong negative ri (−0.82 and −0.87) and acetate:propionate ratio (A:P; 0.82 and 0.78) and (acetate + butyrate):(propionate + valerate) ratio (AB:PV; 0.84 and 0.82) had a strong positive ri with CH4 yield in sheep fed cut pasture, while the ri of total ruminal VFA (−0.13 and 0.35) and acetate (−0.08 and 0.38) concentrations with CH4 yield were only moderate and non-significant.
Conclusion
The VFA traits propionate proportion and A:P and AB:PV ratios had strong individual-level correlations with CH4 yield in sheep fed pasture ad libitum, suggesting that they would be useful correlated proxies to rank sheep CH4 yields.
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Muir S, Linden N, Kennedy A, Knight M, Paganoni B, Kearney G, Thompson A, Behrendt R. Correlations between feed intake, residual feed intake and methane emissions in Maternal Composite ewes at post weaning, hogget and adult ages. Small Rumin Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Ross EM, Hayes BJ, Tucker D, Bond J, Denman SE, Oddy VH. Genomic predictions for enteric methane production are improved by metabolome and microbiome data in sheep (Ovis aries). J Anim Sci 2020; 98:5894828. [PMID: 32815548 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Methane production from rumen methanogenesis contributes approximately 71% of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. This study has performed genomic predictions for methane production from 99 sheep across 3 yr using a residual methane phenotype that is log methane yield corrected for live weight, rumen volume, and feed intake. Using genomic relationships, the prediction accuracies (as determined by the correlation between predicted and observed residual methane production) ranged from 0.058 to 0.220 depending on the time point being predicted. The best linear unbiased prediction algorithm was then applied to relationships between animals that were built on the rumen metabolome and microbiome. Prediction accuracies for the metabolome-based relationships for the two available time points were 0.254 and 0.132; the prediction accuracy for the first microbiome time point was 0.142. The second microbiome time point could not successfully predict residual methane production. When the metabolomic relationships were added to the genomic relationships, the accuracy of predictions increased to 0.274 (from 0.201 when only the genomic relationship was used) and 0.158 (from 0.081 when only the genomic relationship was used) for the two time points, respectively. When the microbiome relationships from the first time point were added to the genomic relationships, the maximum prediction accuracy increased to 0.247 (from 0.216 when only the genomic relationship was used), which was achieved by giving the genomic relationships 10 times more weighting than the microbiome relationships. These accuracies were higher than the genomic, metabolomic, and microbiome relationship matrixes achieved alone when identical sets of animals were used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Ross
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Ben J Hayes
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, Australia
| | - David Tucker
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Livestock Industries Centre, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Jude Bond
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Livestock Industries Centre, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Stuart E Denman
- Department of Animal Food and Health Sciences, CSIRO, Brisbane, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Victor Hutton Oddy
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Livestock Industries Centre, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
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21
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Donoghue KA, Bird-Gardiner T, Herd RM, Hegarty RS, Arthur PF. Genetic variance and covariance components for carbon dioxide production and postweaning traits in Angus cattle. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:5890403. [PMID: 32776133 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This experiment investigated phenotypic and genetic relationships between carbon dioxide production, methane emission, feed intake, and postweaning traits in Angus cattle. Respiration chamber data on 1096 young bulls and heifers from 2 performance recording research herds of Angus cattle were analyzed to provide phenotypic and genetic parameters for carbon dioxide production rate (CPR; n = 425, mean 3,010 ± SD 589 g/d) and methane production rate (MPR; n = 1,096, mean 132.8 ± SD 25.2 g/d) and their relationships with dry matter intake (DMI; n = 1,096, mean 6.15 ± SD 1.33 kg/d), body weight (BW) and body composition traits. Heritability estimates were moderate to high for CPR (0.53 [SE 0.17]), MPR (0.31 [SE 0.07]), DMI (0.49 [SE 0.08]), yearling BW (0.46 [SE 0.08]), and scanned rib fat depth (0.42 [SE 0.07]). There was a strong phenotypic (0.83 [SE 0.02]) and genetic (0.75 [SE 0.10]) correlation between CPR and MPR. The correlations obtained for DMI with CPR and with MPR were high, both phenotypically (rp) and genetically (rg) (rp: 0.85 [SE 0.01] and 0.71 [SE 0.02]; rg (0.95 [SE 0.03] and 0.83 [SE 0.05], respectively). Yearling BW was strongly correlated phenotypically (rp ≥ 0.60) and genetically (rg > 0.80) with CPR, MPR, and DMI, whereas scanned rib fat was weakly correlated phenotypically (rp < 0.20) and genetically (rg ≤ 0.20) with CPR, MPR, and DMI. The strong correlation between both CPR and MPR with DMI confirms their potential use as proxies for DMI in situations where direct DMI recording is not possible such as on pasture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kath A Donoghue
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie, NSW, Australia
| | - Tracie Bird-Gardiner
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert M Herd
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Livestock Industry Centre, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Roger S Hegarty
- Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul F Arthur
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW, Australia
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Zhao Y, Nan X, Yang L, Zheng S, Jiang L, Xiong B. A Review of Enteric Methane Emission Measurement Techniques in Ruminants. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061004. [PMID: 32521767 PMCID: PMC7341254 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
To identify relationships between animal, dietary and management factors and the resulting methane (CH4) emissions, and to identify potential mitigation strategies for CH4 production, it is vital to develop reliable and accurate CH4 measurement techniques. This review outlines various methods for measuring enteric CH4 emissions from ruminants such as respiration chambers (RC), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer, GreenFeed, sniffer method, ventilated hood, facemask, laser CH4 detector and portable accumulation chamber. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are discussed. In general, RC, SF6 and ventilated hood are capable of 24 h continuous measurements for each individual animal, providing accurate reference methods used for research and inventory purposes. However, they require high labor input, animal training and are time consuming. In contrast, short-term measurement techniques (i.e., GreenFeed, sniffer method, facemask, laser CH4 detector and portable accumulation chamber) contain additional variations in timing and frequency of measurements obtained relative to the 24 h feeding cycle. However, they are suitable for large-scale measurements under commercial conditions due to their simplicity and high throughput. Successful use of these techniques relies on optimal matching between the objectives of the studies and the mechanism of each method with consideration of animal behavior and welfare. This review can provide useful information in selecting suitable techniques for CH4 emission measurement in ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiguang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.Z.); (X.N.); (L.Y.); (S.Z.)
| | - Xuemei Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.Z.); (X.N.); (L.Y.); (S.Z.)
| | - Liang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.Z.); (X.N.); (L.Y.); (S.Z.)
| | - Shanshan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.Z.); (X.N.); (L.Y.); (S.Z.)
| | - Linshu Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Dairy Cow Nutrition, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (B.X.); Tel.: +86-10-8079-8101 (L.J.); +86-10-6281-1680 (B.X.)
| | - Benhai Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (Y.Z.); (X.N.); (L.Y.); (S.Z.)
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (B.X.); Tel.: +86-10-8079-8101 (L.J.); +86-10-6281-1680 (B.X.)
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23
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Reintke J, Brügemann K, Yin T, Engel P, Wagner H, Wehrend A, König S. Assessment of methane emission traits in ewes using a laser methane detector: genetic parameters and impact on lamb weaning performance. Arch Anim Breed 2020; 63:113-123. [PMID: 32363232 PMCID: PMC7191252 DOI: 10.5194/aab-63-113-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to derive individual
methane (CH4) emissions in ewes separated in CH4 respiration and eructation
traits. The generated longitudinal CH4 data structure was used to estimate
phenotypic and genetic relationships between ewe CH4 records and energy
efficiency indicator traits from same ewes as well as from their lambs
(intergenerational perspective). In this regard, we recorded CH4 emissions
via mobile laser methane detector (LMD) technique, body weight (EBW),
backfat thickness (BFT) and body condition score (BCS) from 330 ewes (253
Merinoland (ML), 77 Rhön sheep (RH)) and their 629 lambs (478 ML, 151 RH). The interval between repeated measurements (for ewe traits and lamb
body weight (LBW)) was 3 weeks during lactation. For methane
concentration (µL L-1) determinations in the exhaled air, we
considered short time measurements (3 min). Afterwards, CH4 emissions
were portioned into a respiration and eructation fraction, based on a double
normal distribution. Data preparation enabled the following CH4 trait
definitions: mean CH4 concentration during respiration and eructation
(CH4r+e), mean CH4 concentration during respiration (CH4r), mean CH4
concentration during eructation (CH4e), sum of CH4 concentrations per minute
during respiration (CH4rsum), sum of CH4 concentrations per minute during
eructation (CH4esum), maximal CH4 concentration during respiration
(CH4rmax), maximal CH4 concentration during eructation (CH4emax), and
eructation events per minute (CH4event). Large levels of ewe CH4 emissions
representing energy losses were significantly associated with lower LBW
(P<0.05), lower EBW (P<0.01) and lower BFT (P<0.05). For genetic parameter estimations, we
applied single- and multiple-trait animal models. Heritabilities and additive
genetic variances for CH4 traits were small, i.e., heritabilities in the
range from <0.01 (CH4r+e, CH4r, CH4rmax, CH4esum) to 0.03
(CH4rsum). We estimated negative genetic correlations between CH4 traits and
EBW in the range from -0.44 (CH4r+e) to -0.05 (CH4rsum). Most of the CH4
traits were genetically negatively correlated with BCS (-0.81 for CH4esum)
and with BFT (-0.72 for CH4emax), indicating same genetic mechanisms for CH4
output and energy efficiency indicators. Addressing the intergenerational
aspect, genetic correlations between CH4 emissions from ewes and LBW ranged
between -0.35 (CH4r+e) and 0.01 (CH4rsum, CH4rmax), indicating that
breeding on reduced CH4 emissions (especially eructation traits) contribute
to genetic improvements in lamb weaning performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Reintke
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Pet Genetics, University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Brügemann
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Pet Genetics, University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Tong Yin
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Pet Genetics, University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Petra Engel
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Pet Genetics, University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Henrik Wagner
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals with Veterinary Ambulance, University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Axel Wehrend
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals with Veterinary Ambulance, University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sven König
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Pet Genetics, University of Giessen, 35390 Giessen, Germany
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Kumari S, Fagodiya RK, Hiloidhari M, Dahiya RP, Kumar A. Methane production and estimation from livestock husbandry: A mechanistic understanding and emerging mitigation options. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 709:136135. [PMID: 31927428 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Globally, livestock is an important contributor to methane (CH4) emissions. This paper reviewed the various CH4 measurement and estimation techniques and mitigation approaches for the livestock sector. Two approaches for enteric livestock CH4 emission estimation are the top-down and bottom-up. The combination of both could further improve our understanding of enteric CH4 emission and possible mitigation measures. We discuss three mitigation approaches: reducing emissions, avoiding emissions, and enhancing the removal of emissions from livestock. Dietary management, livestock management, and breeding management are viable reducing emissions pathways. Dietary manipulation is easily applicable and can bring an immediate response. Economic incentive policies can help the livestock farmers to opt for diet, breeding, and livestock management mitigation approaches. Carbon pricing creates a better option to achieve reduction targets in a given period. A combination of carbon pricing, feeding management, breeding management, and livestock management is more feasible and sustainable CH4 emissions mitigation strategy rather than a single approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Kumari
- Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi - 110 016, India.
| | - R K Fagodiya
- Division of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, ICAR - Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal - 132 001, India
| | - Moonmoon Hiloidhari
- IDP in Climate Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai - 400 076, India
| | - R P Dahiya
- Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi - 110 016, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Botany, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra - 282 005, India
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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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Eckard RJ, Clark H. Potential solutions to the major greenhouse-gas issues facing Australasian dairy farming. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/an18574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The Australasian dairy industry is facing the dual challenges of increasing productivity, while also reducing its emissions of the greenhouse gases (GHG) methane and nitrous oxide. Following the COP21 Paris Agreement, all sectors of the economy will be expected to contribute to GHG abatement. Enteric methane is the major source of GHG emissions from dairy production systems (>70%), followed by nitrous oxide (13%) and methane (12%) from animal waste, with nitrogen (N)-fertiliser use contributing ~3.5% of total on-farm non-carbon dioxide equivalent (non-CO2e) emissions. Research on reducing methane emissions from dairy cattle has focussed on feeding dietary supplements (e.g. tannins, dietary oils and wheat), rumen modification (e.g. vaccine, inhibitors), breeding and animal management. Research on reducing nitrous oxide emissions has focussed on improving N fertiliser efficiency and reducing urinary N loss. Profitable options for significant abatement on farm are still limited, with the industry focusing instead on improving production efficiency, while reducing emission intensity (t CO2e/t product). Absolute emission reduction will become an imperative as the world moves towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and, thus, a priority for research. However, even with implementation of best-practice abatement, it is likely that some residual emissions will remain in the foreseeable future. The soil organic carbon content of dairy soils under well fertilised, high-rainfall or irrigated permanent pastures are already high, therefore limiting the potential for further soil carbon sequestration as an offset against these residual emissions. The Australasian dairy industry will, therefore, also need to consider how these residual emissions will be offset through carbon sequestration mainly in trees and, to a more limited extent, increasing soil organic carbon.
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Robinson DL, Dominik S, Donaldson AJ, Oddy VH. Repeatabilities, heritabilities and correlations of methane and feed intake of sheep in respiration and portable chambers. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/an18383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Knowledge of genetic and phenotypic variation and the accuracy of different measurement techniques is needed to successfully reduce livestock methane (CH4) emissions.
Aims
To estimate repeatabilities, heritabilities and genetic correlations of respiration-chamber (RC) and portable accumulation-chamber (PAC) measurements using two different protocols but the same management and feeding conditions.
Methods
Australian Information Nucleus Flock ewes were measured in seven test-batches. The 510 ewes were removed from pasture and habituated to chaffed alfalfa and cereal hay at 1.5–1.6 times maintenance. Methane was measured in RC for two 22-h periods approximately 14 days apart, and 40 min in PAC, either immediately after removal from individual pens (with feed as described above, PAC0), or 1-h after withdrawing feed (PAC1). There were up to 48 PAC0 tests per day (at 0930 hours, 1100 hours, 1230 hours, 1400 hours in 12 PAC) and 24 PAC1 tests per day (at 1100 hours and 1300 hours). Test methods (RC, PAC0, PAC1) were analysed as different traits in a multi-trait repeated-measures model.
Key results
Before adjustment for liveweight (Lwt) or feed intake (FI), CH4 was highly repeatable (RC 78%, PAC0 83%, PAC1 82%), with heritabilities of 39–55%, permanent environmental (PE) animal variances 23–43% of phenotypic variances (Vp), high genetic correlations between methods (98–100%), and lower PE correlations (44–58%). A second PAC test on the same day decreased CH4 by 8–12% compared with the ewe’s first test that day. Heritabilities of FI from 0800 hours until the test was complete (FIOD) were 16–17% (PAC) and 25% (RC) before adjusting for Lwt, with high PE variances (PAC 67–73%, RC 41% of Vp). FI in the previous 24 h was highly heritable and much less variable than was FIOD in the RC, suggesting that testing introduced additional variation by disrupting feeding patterns. After adjusting CH4 for Lwt, FIOD and FI in the previous 24 h and Lwt, some additive genetic variation remained, averaging 17% of Vp. Multivariate models of CH4 and FI, fitting a single animal term (representing genetic+PE variation) showed high animal correlations between FI and CH4, namely, 90–95% before, and 86–95% after adjusting for Lwt.
Conclusions
PAC measurements are heritable and highly correlated with RC measurements under similar management conditions. The high genetic and animal correlations of PAC CH4 and FI imply that CH4 is a useful proxy for FI of grazing animals.
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Review: Genetic and genomic selection as a methane mitigation strategy in dairy cattle. Animal 2020; 14:s473-s483. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731120001561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Renand G, Vinet A, Decruyenaere V, Maupetit D, Dozias D. Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emission of Beef Heifers in Relation with Growth and Feed Efficiency. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9121136. [PMID: 31842507 PMCID: PMC6940808 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary For sustainable meat production, beef farmers must make the best use of grass and roughage while limiting the carbon footprint of their herds. The genetic improvement in feed efficiency and enteric methane production of replacement heifers is possible if the recorded phenotypes are available. Intuitively, the relationship between the two traits should be negative, i.e., favorable, since the energy lost with the methane is not available for heifer metabolism. The measurement of feed efficiency requires several weeks of feed intake recording. The enteric methane emission rate can also be recorded over several weeks. The two traits of 326 beef heifers from two experimental farms were measured simultaneously for 8 to 12 weeks. The correlations between roughage intake, daily gain, and methane were all positive. The enteric methane emission rate was positively related to body weight, daily gain, and dry matter intake. The relationship with feed efficiency was slightly positive, i.e., unfavorable. Therefore, the two traits should be recorded simultaneously to evidence low-emitting and efficient heifers. This study also showed that replacing the feed intake recording with the carbon dioxide emission rate appeared potentially beneficial for selecting these low-emitting and efficient heifers. Abstract Reducing enteric methane production and improving the feed efficiency of heifers on roughage diets are important selection objectives for sustainable beef production. The objective of the current study was to assess the relationship between different methane production and feed efficiency criteria of beef heifers fed ad libitum roughage diets. A total of 326 Charolais heifers aged 22 months were controlled in two farms and fed either a grass silage (n = 252) or a natural meadow hay (n = 74) diet. Methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission rates (g/day) were measured with GreenFeed systems. The dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), CH4 and CO2 were measured over 8 to 12 weeks. Positive correlations were observed among body weight, DMI, ADG, CH4 and CO2. The residual feed intake (rwgDMI) was not related to CH4 or residual methane (rwiCH4). It was negatively correlated with methane yield (CH4/DMI): Rp = −0.87 and −0.83. Residual gain (rwiADG) and ADG/DMI were weakly and positively related to residual methane (rwiCH4): Rp = 0.21 on average. The ratio ADG/CO2 appeared to be a useful proxy of ADG/DMI (Rp = 0.64 and 0.97) and CH4/CO2 a proxy of methane yield (Rp = 0.24 and 0.33) for selecting low-emitting and efficient heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Renand
- UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Université Paris-Saclay—Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE)—AgroParisTech, Centre de Recherche de Jouy-en-Josas, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-3465-2212
| | - Aurélie Vinet
- UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Université Paris-Saclay—Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE)—AgroParisTech, Centre de Recherche de Jouy-en-Josas, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France;
| | - Virginie Decruyenaere
- Production and Sectors Department, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, 8 rue de Liroux, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
| | - David Maupetit
- UE 0332 Domaine Expérimental Bourges-La Sapinière, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Centre de recherche Val de Loire, 18390 Osmoy, France;
| | - Dominique Dozias
- UE 0326 Domaine Expérimental du Pin, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Centre de recherche de Rennes, 61310 Le-Pin-au-Haras, France;
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Zhang X, Amer P, Jenkins G, Sise J, Santos B, Quinton C. Prediction of effects of dairy selection indexes on methane emissions. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:11153-11168. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Jonker A, MacLean S, Woyimo Woju C, Garcia Rendon Calzada M, Yu W, Molano G, Hickey S, Pinares-Patiño C, McEwan J, Janssen P, Sandoval E, Lewis S, Rowe S. Excreta emissions in progeny of low and high enteric methane yield selection line sheep fed pasture of different qualities. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.114289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from New Zealand pasture-based livestock farm systems. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.33584/jnzg.2019.81.417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The reduction of the agricultural greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide is likely to play an important role in New Zealand’s transition to a low-emissions economy. A limited range of options currently exists to reduce emissions from pasture-based livestock farming systems. However, several promising options are under development which have the potential to considerably reduce on-farm emissions, such as inhibitors and vaccines. On-farm forestry can be used to offset emissions through carbon sequestration in trees, but more scientifically robust and consistent evidence is needed if soil carbon sequestration is to be used to offset New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions.
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Jonker A, Hickey SM, McEwan JC, Rowe SJ, Janssen PH, MacLean S, Sandoval E, Lewis S, Kjestrup H, Molano G, Agnew M, Young EA, Dodds KG, Knowler K, Pinares-Patiño CS. Genetic parameters of plasma and ruminal volatile fatty acids in sheep fed alfalfa pellets and genetic correlations with enteric methane emissions1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:2711-2724. [PMID: 31212318 PMCID: PMC6606511 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal-to-animal variation in methane (CH4) emissions determined in respiration chambers has a genetic basis, but rapid phenotyping methods that can be applied on-farm are required to enable increased genetic progress by the farming industry. Fermentation of carbohydrates in the rumen results in the formation of VFA with hydrogen (H2) as a byproduct that is used for CH4 formation. Generally, fermentation pathways leading to acetate are associated with the most H2 production, less H2 formation is associated with butyrate production, and propionate and valerate production are associated with reduced H2 production. Therefore, VFA may constitute a potential correlated proxy for CH4 emissions to enable high-throughput animal screening. The objective of the present study was to determine the genetic parameters for ruminal and plasma VFA concentrations in sheep fed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pellets and their genetic (rg) and phenotypic (rp) correlations with CH4 emissions. Measurements of CH4 emissions in respiration chambers and ruminal (stomach tubing 18 h from last meal) and blood plasma (3 h post-feeding) VFA concentrations were made on 1,538 lambs from 5 birth years (2007 and 2009 to 2012) aged between 5 and 10 mo, while the animals were fed alfalfa pellets at 2.0 times maintenance requirements in 2 equal size meals (0900 and 1500 h). These measurements were repeated twice (rounds) 14 d apart. Mean (± SD) CH4 production was 24.4 ± 3.08 g/d, and the mean CH4 yield was 15.8 ± 1.51 g/kg DMI. Mean concentration of total ruminal VFA was 52.2 mM, with concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate of 35.97, 8.83, and 4.02 mM, respectively. Ruminal total VFA concentration had heritability (h2) and repeatability estimates (± SE) of 0.24 ± 0.05 and 0.35 ± 0.03, respectively, and similar estimates were found for acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Blood plasma concentrations of VFA had much lower estimates of h2 and repeatability than ruminal VFA. Genetic correlations with CH4 yield were greatest for total concentrations of ruminal VFA and acetate, with 0.54 ± 0.12 and 0.56 ± 0.12, respectively, which were much greater than their corresponding rp. The rp and rg of ruminal VFA proportions and blood VFAs with CH4 emissions were in general lower than for ruminal VFA concentrations. However, minor ruminal VFA proportions had also moderate rg with CH4 yield. Pre-feeding concentrations of total VFA and acetate were the strongest correlated proxies to select sheep that are genetically low CH4 emitters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan Jonker
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Peter H Janssen
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Sarah MacLean
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Edgar Sandoval
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Lewis
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Holly Kjestrup
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - German Molano
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Ken G Dodds
- Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, New Zealand
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Difford GF, Olijhoek DW, Hellwing ALF, Lund P, Bjerring MA, de Haas Y, Lassen J, Løvendahl P. Ranking cows’ methane emissions under commercial conditions with sniffers versus respiration chambers. ACTA AGR SCAND A-AN 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2019.1572784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. F. Difford
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University Tjele, Denmark
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - D. W. Olijhoek
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University Tjele, Denmark
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, AU-Foulum Tjele, Denmark
| | - A. L. F. Hellwing
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, AU-Foulum Tjele, Denmark
| | - P. Lund
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, AU-Foulum Tjele, Denmark
| | - M. A. Bjerring
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, AU-Foulum Tjele, Denmark
| | - Y. de Haas
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen University Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - J. Lassen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University Tjele, Denmark
| | - P. Løvendahl
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University Tjele, Denmark
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