Reducing methane production with corn oil and calcium sulfate: Responses on whole-animal energy and nitrogen balance in dairy cattle

Abstract

The addition of fat and calcium sulfate to diets fed to ruminants has resulted in a reduction in methane production, but the effects on energy balance have not been studied. A study using indirect calorimetry and 16 multiparous (8 Holstein and 8 Jersey; 78 ± 15 d in milk; mean ± standard deviation) lactating dairy cows was conducted to determine how mitigating methane production by adding corn oil or calcium sulfate to diets containing reduced-fat distillers grains affects energy and nitrogen balance. A replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 35-d periods (28 d of adaption and 4 d of collections) was used to compare 4 different dietary treatments. Treatments were composed of a control (CON) diet, which did not contain reduced-fat distillers grain and solubles (DDGS), and treatment diets containing 20% (dry matter basis) DDGS (DG), 20% DDGS with 1.38% (dry matter basis) added corn oil (CO), and 20% DDGS with 0.93% (dry matter basis) added calcium sulfate (CaS). Compared with CON, dry matter intake was not affected by treatment, averaging 29.6 ± 0.67 kg/d. Milk production was increased for diets containing DDGS compared with CON (26.3 vs. 27.8 ± 0.47 kg/d for CON vs. DDGS, respectively), likely supported by increased energy intake. Compared with CON, energy-corrected milk was greater in DG and CO (30.1 vs. 31.4, 31.7, and 31.0 ± 0.67 kg/d for CON, DG, CO, and CaS, respectively). Compared with CON, the addition of calcium sulfate and corn oil to diets containing DDGS reduced methane production per kg of dry matter intake (22.3, 19.9, and 19.6 ± 0.75 L/kg per d for CON, CO, and CaS, respectively). Similarly, methane production per kilogram of energycorrected milk was reduced with the addition of calcium sulfate and corn oil to diets containing DDGS (14.2, 12.5, and 12.4 ± 0.50 L/kg per d for CON, CO, and CaS, respectively). Compared with CON and CaS, the intake of digestible energy was greater for DG and CO treatments (57.7, 62.1, 62.0, and 59.0 ± 1.38 Mcal/d for CON, DG, CO, and CaS, respectively). Intake of metabolizable energy was greater in all treatments containing DDGS compared with CON (50.5 vs. 54.0 ± 1.08 Mcal/d for CON vs. DDGS, respectively). Net balance (milk plus tissue energy) per unit of dry matter was greater in CO (containing DDGS and oil) than CON (1.55 vs. 1.35 ± 0.06 Mcal/kg for CO vs. CON, respectively). Tissue energy was greater in DG and CO compared with CON (6.08, 7.04, and 3.16 ± 0.99 Mcal/d for DG, CO, and CON, respectively.Results of this study suggest that the addition of oil and calcium sulfate to diets containing DDGS may be a viable option to reduce methane production and in the case of oil also improve net energy balance in lactating dairy cows.

Between-cow variation in the components of feed efficiency

“…Methane production represents an energetic loss for the ruminant. Thus, reducing it could result in the repartition of more energy toward production (Judy et al, 2019). Bell et al (2010) observed a 12% difference in CH 4 intensity (g of CH 4 /kg of milk) between control and selected (for kg of milk fat and protein production) genetic lines, whereby genetically selected cows partitioned more of their nutrient intake toward milk production and less to CH 4 .…”

Diet Supplementation With Sulfur Amino Acids Modulated Fermentation Metabolome and Gut Microbiome in Goats

“…Sulfur-containing amino acids shifted H 2 to a different hydrogen sink, increasing dH 2 S production rather than CH 4 production. This occurs under standard gut conditions because sulfidogenic bacteria have a higher affinity for H 2 utilization than methanogens, suggesting thermodynamically methanogenesis is less favored than sulfate reduction ( Van Zijderveld et al, 2010 ; Judy et al, 2019 ; Lan and Yang, 2019 ; Teklebrhan et al, 2020 ). Because sulfur-reducing microbes use sulfur as an electron sinker or acceptor, and the reduced forms of sulfur H 2 S is a metabolic end-product of fermentation from these microorganisms and noticed in the current study.…”

“…It is crucial to reduce the level of crude protein (CP) in ruminant diets with the supplementation of limiting amino acids such as methionine and lysine, to improve the number of metabolizable amino acids; and decrease nitrogen losses, feed costs, and greenhouse gas emissions without adverse effect on animal performance ( Sinclair, 2014 ; Guyader et al, 2016 ). It has been shown that dietary supplements with high sulfate could shift H 2 toward energetically advantageous pathways away from methanogenesis and reduce methane emissions and yield ( Judy et al, 2019 ; Lan and Yang, 2019 ; Teklebrhan et al, 2020 ). For instance, a sulfur-rich corn gluten diet decreased dissolved hydrogen (dH 2 ) and methane (dCH 4 ), while increasing dissolved hydrogen sulfur (dH 2 S) which was associated with reduced methanogenesis in goats fed on corn meal ( Teklebrhan et al, 2020 ).…”

Effect of protein and glucogenic precursor supplementation on forage digestibility, serum metabolites, energy utilization, and rumen parameters in sheep

“…At 1700 h daily, tubs were removed, weight was recorded, and 10% of total urine collection was retained and stored at 2.8 °C until further analysis. Urine was thawed and boiled to reduce water content prior to further analysis ( Judy et al, 2019 ). Beakers filled with urine were placed into a boiling water bath (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY) underneath a hood until urine reached consistency of a paste.…”