Effects of supplementation frequency on the ruminal fermentation and enteric methane production of beef cattle grazing in tropical pastures

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of ruminal fermentation and enteric methane production in beef cattle subjected to different supplementation frequencies while grazing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures. Nine cattle (325±65.7 kg BW) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in the ruminal fermentation study, and 12 cattle (399±32.6 kg BW) were used in the enteric methane production study. The treatments included supplementation once daily, supplementation once daily except Saturdays and Sundays, or supplementation on alternate days. The supplementation was equivalent to 10 g kg −1 BW day −1 for all treatments. The design employed was completely randomized with three treatments and three replications. When all supplements were provided (day 1), no effects of supplementation frequency were observed on ruminal pH; concentration of NH 3 -N; concentration of acetic, propionic, or butyric acids; or total volatile fatty acids (VFA), but there were month effects. During the day on which only daily supplements were provided (day 2), significant differences were observed only on the molar concentration of acetic acid and total VFA; and month effects were noted on all variables. No significant differences were observed in ruminal fluid volume, dilution rate, N intake, bacterial N synthesis and enteric methane production among the studied supplementation frequencies. Differences were observed in the enteric methane production in the different months, with 85 g kg −1 of gross energy intake observed in September and 123 g kg −1 of gross energy intake observed in November. Lower supplementation frequency is a good option to lower labor costs with little or no consequences on ruminal fermentation characteristics and enteric methane production.

Development of methane conversion factor models for Zebu beef cattle fed low‐quality crop residues and by‐products in tropical regions

“…A dataset was constructed from 18 energy balance or feeding experiments conducted from 1999 to 2015 (total 53 observations (n) as the feeding treatment means; from peer-reviewed papers, proceedings, theses, and unpublished results from our research station) of Zebu and Zebu crossbred beef cattle fed low-quality crop residues and by-products in tropical regions (Canesin et al, 2014;Chaokaur, Nishida, & Sommart, 2010;Chaokaur et al, 2015;Chuntrakort et al, 2014;Hayashi et al, 2010 [unpublished results]; Kaewpila, Suzuki, & Sommart, 2015;Kennedy & Charmley, 2012;Khuamankgorn, Namsele, Angthong, & Martosoth, 2009;Kongphitee, Udchachon, Otsuka, & Sommart, 2010;Kongphitee et al, 2015 [unpublished results];Kurihara et al, 1999;Moonmat, Otsuka, Udchachon, & Sommart, 2009;Nitipot, Pattarajinda, & Sommart, 2010;Phromloungsri, Hayashi, Otsuka, Udchachon, & Sommart, 2012;Sitthiwong, 2010;Suzuki et al, 2008;Tangjitwattanachai et al, 2015;Tomkins, McGinn, Turner, & Charmley, 2011). Diets that contained feed additive reagents for mitigating Y m such as monensin were not included in the dataset, while starving animals and animals fed good-quality forage and legumes or lipids supplements were also excluded.…”

Short Communication Heritability of predicted daily enteric methane emissions from growing Nellore cattle

“…Nutritional plans and diet manipulations aimed at reducing enteric CH 4 emissions from ruminants have been extensively studied (Canesin et al, 2014;Cota et al, 2014;Fiorentini et al, 2014). Genetic improvement has been proven to cause small, but cumulative and permanent, changes in cattle performance, and may mitigate CH 4 emissions (Herd et al, 2005).…”

Estado de la investigación sobre emisiones de metano entérico y estrategias de mitigación en América Latina

“…Por ejemplo en (Demarchiet al, 2003). Moreover, the higher emission factors were reported by Canesin et al (2014) in adults Nellore steers of 399 kg live weight, grazing Brachiaria brizantha, supplemented with citrus pulp, cotton seed cake and urea. The amount of methane produced by adult Nellore steers ranged from 316 to 355 L day -1 for an average intake of 7.7 kg DM.…”

“…However, these authors do not recommend the use of palm oil because it had negative effects on voluntary intake and animal yield Sin embargo, estos mismos autores no recomiendan el uso de aceite de palma, ya que tiene efectos negativos sobre el consumo voluntario y el rendimiento de los animales (Demarchi et al 2003). Por otra parte, los factores de emisión más altos fueron reportados por Canesin et al (2014) Por último, los factores de emisión en Uruguay donde el ganado supera en número a las personas (3.6:1), se encuentran entre los más altos de la región. Por ejemplo, Dini et al (2012) mencionaron que las vacas Holstein adultas de un peso vivo promedio de 536 kg alimentadas con pasto y leguminosas (76% Lolium multiflorum y 24% Lotus corniculatus) puede producir hasta 521 L cabeza -1 día -1 .…”