Effect of forage/concentrate ratio and dietary coconut oil level on methane output and performance of finishing beef heifers

Lovett, D. K.; Lovell, S.; Stack, L.; Callan, J.J.; Finlay, Mark R.; Conolly, J.; O’Mara, F.P.

doi:10.1016/j.livprodsci.2003.09.010

Cited by 145 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…This strategy is attractive, in that accompanying improvements in animal performance and efficiency has been demonstrated (Lovett et al, 2003;Mc Geough et al, 2010). In the present study, steers offered a higher proportion of concentrate in the diet expressed better feed efficiency (RFI) than those offered a mixed forage : concentrate diet.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Impact of adding nitrate or increasing the lipid content of two contrasting diets on blood methaemoglobin and performance of two breeds of finishing beef steers

Duthie

Rooke

Troy

et al. 2016

Animal

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Adding nitrate to the diet or increasing the concentration of dietary lipid are effective strategies for reducing enteric methane emissions. This study investigated their effect on health and performance of finishing beef cattle. The experiment was a two × two × three factorial design comprising two breeds (CHX, crossbred Charolais; LU, Luing); two basal diets consisting of (g/kg dry matter (DM), forage to concentrate ratios) 520 : 480 (Mixed) or 84 : 916 (Concentrate); and three treatments: (i) control with rapeseed meal as the main protein source replaced with either (ii) calcium nitrate (18 g nitrate/kg diet DM) or (iii) rapeseed cake (RSC, increasing acid hydrolysed ether extract from 25 to 48 g/kg diet DM). Steers (n = 84) were allocated to each of the six basal diet × treatments in equal numbers of each breed with feed offered ad libitum. Blood methaemoglobin (MetHb) concentrations (marker for nitrate poisoning) were monitored throughout the study in steers receiving nitrate. After dietary adaptation over 28 days, individual animal intake, performance and feed efficiency were recorded for a test period of 56 days. Blood MetHb concentrations were low and similar up to 14 g nitrate/kg diet DM but increased when nitrate increased to 18 g nitrate/kg diet DM ( P < 0.001). An interaction between basal diet and day ( P < 0.001) indicated that MetHb% was consistently greater in Concentrate -than Mixed-fed steers at 18 g nitrate/kg diet DM. Maximum individual MetHb% was 15.4% (of total Hb), which is lower than considered clinically significant (30%). MetHb concentrations for individual steers remained consistent across time. Concentrate-fed steers were more efficient (lower residual feed intake (RFI) values) than Mixed-fed steers ( P < 0.01), with lower dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/day) ( P < 0.001) and similar average daily gain (ADG). CHX steers were more efficient (lower RFI; P < 0.01) than LU steers with greater ADG ( P < 0.01), lower DMI (/kg BW; P < 0.01) and lower fat depth ( P < 0.001). ADG, BW or DMI did not differ across dietary treatments ( P > 0.05). Neither basal diet nor treatment affected carcass quality ( P > 0.05), but CHX steers achieved a greater killing out proportion ( P < 0.001) than LU steers. Thus, adding nitrate to the diet or increasing the level of dietary lipid through the use of cold-pressed RSC, did not adversely affect health or performance of finishing beef steers when used within the diets studied.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Impact of adding nitrate or increasing the lipid content of two contrasting diets on blood methaemoglobin and performance of two breeds of finishing beef steers

Duthie

Rooke

Troy

et al. 2016

Animal

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“…Methane decrease was more pronounced for a hay diet than for a maize silage diet supplemented with linseeds in dairy cows (Martin et al, 2009), and for a concentrate diet than for a forage diet supplemented with coconut oil in beef heifers (Lovett et al, 2003) or with myristic acid in sheep (Machmü ller et al, 2003).…”

Section: Mitigation Through Feedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A meta-analysis of the bibliography showed that the relationship between concentrate proportion in the diet and CH 4 production is curvilinear (Sauvant and Giger-Reverdin, 2007). Methane losses appear relatively constant for diets containing up to 30% to 40% concentrate (6% to 7% of GE intake) and then decrease rapidly to low values (2% to 3% of GE intake) for diets containing 80% to 90% concentrate (Lovett et al, 2003;Beauchemin and McGinn, 2005;Martin et al, 2007a). Replacing structural carbohydrates from forages (cellulose, hemicellulose) in the diet with non-structural carbohydrates (starch and sugars) contained in most energy-rich concentrates is associated with increases in feed intake, higher rates of ruminal fermentation and accelerated feed turnover, which results in large modifications of rumen physico-chemical conditions and microbial populations.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Methane mitigation in ruminants: from microbe to the farm scale

Martin

Morgavi

Doreau

2010

Animal

732

657

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Decreasing enteric methane (CH 4 ) emissions from ruminants without altering animal production is desirable both as a strategy to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and as a means of improving feed conversion efficiency. The aim of this paper is to provide an update on a selection of proved and potential strategies to mitigate enteric CH 4 production by ruminants. Various biotechnologies are currently being explored with mixed results. Approaches to control methanogens through vaccination or the use of bacteriocins highlight the difficulty to modulate the rumen microbial ecosystem durably. The use of probiotics, i.e. acetogens and live yeasts, remains a potentially interesting approach, but results have been either unsatisfactory, not conclusive, or have yet to be confirmed in vivo. Elimination of the rumen protozoa to mitigate methanogenesis is promising, but this option should be carefully evaluated in terms of livestock performances. In addition, on-farm defaunation techniques are not available up to now. Several feed additives such as ionophores, organic acids and plant extracts have also been assayed. The potential use of plant extracts to reduce CH 4 is receiving a renewed interest as they are seen as a natural alternative to chemical additives and are well perceived by consumers. The response to tannin-and saponincontaining plant extracts is highly variable and more research is needed to assess the effectiveness and eventual presence of undesirable residues in animal products. Nutritional strategies to mitigate CH 4 emissions from ruminants are, without doubt, the most developed and ready to be applied in the field. Approaches presented in this paper involve interventions on the nature and amount of energy-based concentrates and forages, which constitute the main component of diets as well as the use of lipid supplements. The possible selection of animals based on low CH 4 production and more likely on their high efficiency of digestive processes is also addressed. Whatever the approach proposed, however, before practical solutions are applied in the field, the sustainability of CH 4 suppressing strategies is an important issue that has to be considered. The evaluation of different strategies, in terms of total GHG emissions for a given production system, is discussed.Keywords: methane, greenhouse gases, ruminant, mitigation strategies Implications Methane (CH 4 ) mitigation in ruminants is possible through various strategies. Today, the feeding management approach is the most developed. Other strategies (biotechnologies, additives) are promising but the diversity and plasticity of functions of the rumen bacterial and methanogenic communities may be a limiting factor for their successful application. A possible selection of animals on CH 4 production and more likely on digestive processes is evocated. In any case, before practical solutions are proposed for field application more research in vivo is needed. The sustainability of CH 4 -suppressing strategies is also an important issue and they mi...

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“…An increased proportion of concentrate in ruminant rations is generally associated with a reduction in methane emission per unit of feed intake and per unit of animal product (Johnson and Johnson 1995;Lovett et al 2003). However, in many tropical and subtropical livestock production systems, ruminants receive small quantities of concentrates, if at all, because of unavailability and cost.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In vitro fermentation, digestibility and methane production of tropical perennial grass species

Gemeda

Hassen

2014

Crop Pasture Sci.

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Abstract. This study characterised 16 tropical perennial grass species in terms of in vitro methane output and related their digestibility and rumen fermentation with methane output. The grass samples were collected, dried in a forced oven, and ground and analysed for nutrient composition. In vitro gas production and organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were determined using rumen fluid collected, strained and anaerobically prepared. A semi-automated system was used to measure gas production through in vitro incubation at 398C. Anthephora argentea and Stipagrostis ciliate produced the highest concentration of methane in terms of g kg -1 digestible dry matter (DDM) and g kg -1 digestible organic matter (IVOMD). Cenchrus ciliaris, Setaria verticillata and Panicum coloratum produced the lowest (P < 0.05) methane when expressed in terms of g kg -1 DDM and g kg -1 IVOMD. Ash, ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrate, neutral and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, and crude protein were negatively correlated with methane production. Methane production positively correlated with neutral and acid detergent fibre, cellulose and hemicellulose. It is important to focus on screening and selecting perennial grass with higher nitrogen content and low methane production to mitigate methane production under tropical conditions.

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Effect of forage/concentrate ratio and dietary coconut oil level on methane output and performance of finishing beef heifers

Cited by 145 publications

References 29 publications

Impact of adding nitrate or increasing the lipid content of two contrasting diets on blood methaemoglobin and performance of two breeds of finishing beef steers

Impact of adding nitrate or increasing the lipid content of two contrasting diets on blood methaemoglobin and performance of two breeds of finishing beef steers

Methane mitigation in ruminants: from microbe to the farm scale

In vitro fermentation, digestibility and methane production of tropical perennial grass species

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