Inclusion of a tannin-rich legume in the diet of beef steers reduces greenhouse gas emissions from their excreta

Cleef, F.O.S. van; Dubeux, José C. B.; Ciriaco, Francine M; Henry, Darren D; Ruiz‐Moreno, Martin; Jaramillo, David M.; Garcia, Liza; Santos, Erick R. S.; DiLorenzo, Nicolás; Vendramini, J. M. B.; Naumann, H. D.; Sollenberger, Lynn E.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-18523-y

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Therefore, it is suggested that year-round productivity should not underestimate the feeding value of forage resources containing secondary compounds (Ramıŕez-Restrepo and Charmley, 2015;Durmic et al, 2017;Vandermeulen et al, 2018b) to further reduce the impact on the C cycle by using the present fattening framework. This argument is strengthened by the counter-balancing effect of LWs and age targets on animal GHGE vs the reduction in GHGE from shorter fattening periods, especially considering not only that CP concentration in B. decumbens plus legumes swards can be 33% higher than in B. decumbens alone pastures (Rincoń and Villalobos, 2021) but also the effect of condensed tannins-containing legumes shifting N digestion and increasing fecal N concentration (Waghorn et al, 1987), thereby mitigating CH 4 , CO 2 , and N 2 O emission from excreta in the soil ( van Cleef et al, 2022), and increasing soil N retention in grazed pastures (Slebodnik, 2020).…”

Section: Estimated Production Patterns Methane Emissions and Carcass ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The carbon footprint of young-beef cattle finishing systems in the Eastern Plains of the Orinoco River Basin of Colombia

2023

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IntroductionPrevious research has shown increased productivity amongst sown grass pastures compared to native savanna pastures by year-round grazing for fattening of adult and young Brahman (Bos indicus)-bred cattle in the well-drained native savanna ecosystem of the Colombian Orinoquía. But there is limited information on the carbon footprint (CF) of commercial young-Brahman heifers and steers reared throughout life on well-managed Brachiaria decumbens Stapf pastures.MethodsThe present study characterized growth, lifetime enteric methane (CH4) emissions, carcass carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) CH4 efficiency intensities (i.e., emissions per kg of product), and estimated the overall CF of young cattle grazing B. decumbens pastures subject to a range of daily liveweight gains (DLWGs; 0.428 – 0.516 kg) and fattening framework (405 – 574 kg). Weaning data from seven consecutive calving seasons in a commercial Brahman breeding herd continuously grazed on B. decumbens were integrated with a Microsoft Excel® dynamic greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) simulation of stockers-yearlings, and seven fattening, and processing scenarios.ResultsThe model predicted that heifers subject to low and high DLWGs (0.428 vs 0.516 kg) and steers (0.516 kg) may be successfully fattened without supplementation assuming that animals had access to a well-managed grass pasture. Depending on the fattening strategy, kg CO2-eq CH4/kg edible protein values ranged from 66.843 to 87.488 ± 0.497 for heifers and from 69.689 to 91.291 ± 0.446 for steers.DiscussionAssuming that forage on offer is at least 1,500-2,000 kg of dry matter/ha during the rainy season, all the simulated systems showed potential for C neutrality and net-zero C emission when considering GHGEs from the soil, pasture, and animal components vs the estimated soil C capture over seven seasons. However, under a more optimistic scenario, these beef systems could accomplish substantial net gains of soil C, over the period for which field data are available. Overall, this study projects the positive impact of the design of plausible fattening strategies on grasslands for improving cattle productivity and reducing emission intensities with concomitant increases in technical efficiency.

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Section: Estimated Production Patterns Methane Emissions and Carcass ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The carbon footprint of young-beef cattle finishing systems in the Eastern Plains of the Orinoco River Basin of Colombia

2023

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“…In this respect, the extracts of the following four pasture plants A. creticus , L. laxiflorus , C. incisum and T. repens have been determined to contain increased tannins, presumably as plant response to grazing pressures. In addition, an increased tannin diet of beef steers is determined to reduce considerably their excretions of greenhouse gases [ 54 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioactivity of Wild and Cultivated Legumes: Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Properties

et al. 2023

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The global demand for increased meat production has brought to the surface several obstacles concerning environmental impacts, animals’ welfare, and quality features, revealing the need to produce safe foodstuffs with an environmentally acceptable procedure. In this regard, the incorporation of legumes into animal diets constitutes a sustainable way out that prevents these apprehensions. Legumes are plant crops belonging to the Fabaceae family and are known for their rich content of secondary metabolites., displaying significant antioxidant properties and a series of health and environmental benefits. The study herein aims to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of indigenous and cultivated legume plants used for food and feed. The respective results indicate that the methanolic extract of Lathyrus laxiflorus (Desf.) Kuntze displayed the highest phenolic (64.8 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract) and tannin (419.6 mg catechin equivalents/g extract) content, while the dichloromethane extract of Astragalus glycyphyllos L., Trifolium physodes Steven ex M.Bieb. and Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H.Stirt. plant samples exhibited the richest content in carotenoids lutein (0.0431 mg/g A. glycyphyllos extract and 0.0546 mg/g B. bituminosa extract), α-carotene (0.0431 mg/g T. physodes extract) and β-carotene (0.090 mg/g T. physodes extract and 0.3705 mg/g B. bituminosa extract) establishing their potential role as vitamin A precursor sources. Results presented herein verify the great potential of Fabaceae family plants for utilization as pasture plants and/or dietary ingredients, since their cultivation has a positive impact on the environment, and they were found to contain essential nutrients capable to improve health, welfare, and safety.

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“…The same authors found that the addition of tannins into Nellore bulls’ urine had an effect on the reduction in CH 4. OS van Cleef et al [ 64 ] also concluded that the inclusion of highly taniniferous plants effectively mitigated the emission of CH 4 in beef steers’ excreta.…”

Section: Antinutritional Factors Associated With Viscum ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilization of the Viscum Species for Diet and Medicinal Purposes in Ruminants: A Review

Hawu

Ravhuhali

Musekwa

et al. 2022

Animals

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A cost-effective, alternative protein and mineral source such as the Viscum species can be key to livestock production. Viscum spp. are used as feed in many semi-arid and arid regions globally, particularly during feed shortages. The species’ feeding value, and their pharmaceutical attributes, have been recognized worldwide, albeit with variation in nutritive value from one host to another. The antinutritional factors found in Viscum spp. may benefit livestock when consumed in moderation due to their immunomodulatory, proapoptotic, and antimicrobial properties. The Vachellia species are known to be the common hosts for Viscum spp. Further, even though Viscum spp. inhibit host tree development by reducing carbon absorption and the host tree’s carbohydrates, the efforts to regulate their infestation should not result in the plant’s total eradication due to the benefits to livestock (as well as in fodder and medicine). This review will help to improve understanding of Viscum species control measures, while also increasing the productivity of ruminants.

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Inclusion of a tannin-rich legume in the diet of beef steers reduces greenhouse gas emissions from their excreta

Cited by 5 publications

References 49 publications

The carbon footprint of young-beef cattle finishing systems in the Eastern Plains of the Orinoco River Basin of Colombia

The carbon footprint of young-beef cattle finishing systems in the Eastern Plains of the Orinoco River Basin of Colombia

Bioactivity of Wild and Cultivated Legumes: Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Properties

Utilization of the Viscum Species for Diet and Medicinal Purposes in Ruminants: A Review

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