Comparison of Molly and Karoline models to predict methane production in growing and dairy cattle

Numerous empirical and mechanistic models predicting methane (CH₄) production are available. The aim of this work was to evaluate the Molly cow model and the Nordic cow model Karoline in predicting CH₄ production in cattle using a data set consisting of 267 treatment means from 55 respiration chamber studies. The dietary and animal characteristics used for the model evaluation represent the range of diets fed to dairy and growing cattle. Feedlot diets and diets containing additives mitigating CH₄ production were not included in the data set. The relationships between observed and predicted CH₄ (pCH₄) were assessed by regression analysis using fixed and mixed model analysis. Residual analysis was conducted to evaluate which dietary factors were related to prediction errors. The fixed model analysis showed that the Molly predictions were related to the observed data (± standard error) as CH₄ (g/d) = 0.94 (±0.022) × pCH₄ (g/d) + 31 (±6.9) [root mean squared prediction error (RMSPE) = 45.0 g/d (14.9% of observed mean), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.925]. The corresponding equation for the Karoline model was CH₄ (g/d) = CH₄ (g/d) = 0.98 (±0.019) × pCH₄ (g/d) + 7.0 (±6.0) [RMSPE = 35.0 g/d (11.6%), CCC = 0.953]. Proportions of mean squared prediction error attributable to mean and linear bias and random error were 10.6, 2.2, and 87.2% for the Molly model, and 1.3, 0.3, and 98.6% for the Karoline model, respectively. Mean and linear bias were significant for the Molly model but not for the Karoline model. With the mixed model regression analysis RMSPE adjusted for random study effects were 10.9 and 7.9% for the Molly model and the Karoline model, respectively. The residuals of CH₄ predictions were more strongly related to factors associated with CH₄ production (feeding level, digestibility, fat concentrations) with the Molly model compared with the Karoline model. Especially large mean (underprediction) and linear bias (overprediction of low digestibility diets relative to high digestibility diets) contributed to the prediction error of CH₄ yield with the Molly model. It was concluded that both models could be used for prediction of CH₄ production in cattle, but Karoline was more accurate and precise based on smaller RMSPE, mean bias, and slope bias, and greater CCC. The importance of accurate input data of key variables affecting diet digestibility is emphasized.     

Phenotypically divergent classification of preweaned heifer calves for feed efficiency indexes and their correlations with heat production and thermography

The aims of this study were (1) to assess if there is phenotypical divergence for feed efficiency (FE) during the preweaning phase; (2) if FE is correlated with heat production (HP) measured by the face mask method or (3) by surface skin temperature via thermography, and (4) whether these methods are applicable to preweaned calves. Holstein × Gyr heifer calves (n = 36, birth body weight = 32.4 ± 6.6 kg) were enrolled and on trial between 4 and 12 wk of age and were classified into 2 residual feed intake (RFI) and residual body weight gain (RG) groups: high efficiency (HE; RFI, n = 10; and RG, n = 9) and low efficiency (LE; RFI, n = 10; and RG, n = 8). Calves were fed milk (6 L/d) and solid feed (95% starter and 5% chopped Tifton 85 hay, as fed). Growth was monitored weekly and feed intake (milk and solid feed) daily, during the whole period. Gas exchanges (O₂ consumption and production of CO₂ and CH₄) were obtained using a face mask at 45 ± 5 d of age and HP was estimated. Maximum temperatures were measured at 7 sites with an infrared camera at 62 ± 7 d of age. There was divergence in RFI and RG. Respectively, HE and LE calves had RFI of ?0.14 and 0.13 kg/d, and RG of 0.05 and ?0.07 kg/d. Dry matter intake was 15% lower in HE-RFI compared with LE-RFI, but no differences were observed in average daily weight gain. Within the RG test, no differences were observed in dry matter intake or average daily gain. The HE-RFI calves consumed less O₂ (L/d) and produced less CO₂ (L/d). Heart rate and HP were lower for HE-RFI calves compared with LE-RFI. Residual feed intake was correlated with HP (r = 0.48), O₂ consumption (r = 0.48), CO₂ production (r = 0.48), and heart rate (r = 0.40). No differences were observed in HP and gas exchanges between RG groups. Methane production was null in both groups. Eye temperature measured by thermography was 0.5°C greater in HE-RG than LE-RG calves. Differences in skin temperature between HE and LE calves were not observed at the other sites. These results support the hypothesis that calves are divergent for RFI, RG, and FE during preweaning and divergence tests are applicable during this phase. The face mask method described here is a useful tool for estimating differences in HP among phenotypically divergent RFI calves. Eye temperature measured by infrared thermography may have potential to screen phenotypically divergent RG calves.     

Differences in net fat oxidation,heat production,and liver mitochondrial DNA copy numbers between high and low feed-efficient dairy cows

Improving feed utilization efficiency in dairy cattle could have positive economic and environmental effects that would support the sustainability of the dairy industry. Identifying key differences in metabolism between high and low feed-efficient animals is vital to enhancing feed conversion efficiency. Therefore, our objectives were (1) to determine whether cows grouped by either high or low feed efficiency have measurable differences in net fat and carbohydrate metabolism that account for differences in heat production (HP), and if so, whether these differences also exists under conditions of feed withdrawal when the effect of feeding on HP is minimized, and (2) to determine whether the abundance of mitochondria in the liver can be related to the high or low feed-efficient groups. Ten dairy cows from a herd of 15 (parity = 2) were retrospectively grouped into either a high (H) or a low (L) feed-efficient group (n = 5 per group) based on weekly energy-corrected milk (ECM) divided by dry mater intake (DMI) from wk 4 through 30 of lactation. Livers were biopsied at wk ?4, 2, and 12, and blood was sampled weekly from wk ?3 to 12 relative to parturition. Blood was subset to be analyzed for the transition period (wk ?3 to 3) and from wk 4 to 12. In wk 5.70 ± 0.82 (mean ± SD) postpartum (PP), cows spent 2 d in respiration chambers (RC), in which CO₂, O₂, and CH₄ gases were measured every 6 min for 24 h. Fatty acid oxidation (FOX), carbohydrate oxidation (COX), metabolic respiratory quotient (RQ), and HP were calculated from gas measurements for 23 h. Cows were fed ad libitum (AD-LIB) on d 1 and had feed withdrawn (RES, restricted diet) on d 2. Additional blood samples were taken at the end of the AD-LIB and RES feeding periods in the RC. During wk 4 to 30 PP, H had greater DMI/kg of metabolic body weight (BW^0.75), ECM per kilogram of BW^0.75 yield, and ECM/DMI ratio, compared with L, but a lower body condition score between wk 4 and 12 PP. In the RC period, we detected no differences in BW, DMI, or milk yield between groups. We also detected no significant group or group by feeding period interactions for plasma metabolites except for Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, which tended to have a group by feeding period interaction. The H group had lower HP and HP per kilogram of BW^0.75 compared with L. Additionally, H had lower FOX and FOX per kilogram of BW^0.75 compared with L during the AD-LIB period. Methane, CH₄ per kilogram of BW^0.75, and CH₄ per kilogram of milk yield were lower in H compared with L, but, when adjusted for DMI, CH₄/DMI did not differ between groups, nor did HP/DMI. Relative mitochondrial DNA copy numbers in the liver were lower in the L than in the H group. These results suggest that lower feed efficiency in dairy cows may result from fewer mitochondria per liver cell as well as a greater whole-body HP, which likely partially results from higher net fat oxidation.     

Effects of atmospheric composition on respiratory behavior, weight loss, and appearance of Camembert-type cheeses during chamber ripening

Respiratory activity, weight loss, and appearance of Camembert-type cheeses were studied during chamber ripening in relation to atmospheric composition. Cheese ripening was carried out in chambers under continuously renewed, periodically renewed, or nonrenewed gaseous atmospheres or under a CO₂ concentration kept constant at either 2 or 6% throughout the chamber-ripening process. It was found that overall atmospheric composition, and especially CO₂ concentration, of the ripening chamber affected respiratory activity. When CO₂ was maintained at either 2 or 6%, O₂ consumption and CO₂ production (and their kinetics) were higher compared with ripening trials carried out without regulating CO₂ concentration over time. Global weight loss was maximal under continuously renewed atmospheric conditions. In this case, the airflow increased exchanges between cheeses and the atmosphere. The ratio between water evaporation and CO₂ release also depended on atmospheric composition, especially CO₂ concentration. The thickening of the creamy underrind increased more quickly when CO₂ was present in the chamber from the beginning of the ripening process. However, CO₂ concentrations higher than 2% negatively influenced the appearance of the cheeses.     

Influence of lactation stage on heat production and macronutrient oxidation in dairy cows during a 24-hour fasting period

Understanding nutrient utilization and partitioning is essential for advancing the efficiency of dairy cattle. Our objective was to determine if dairy cows exposed to a 24-h fasting period differ in heat production (HP) and macronutrient oxidation at different stages of lactation. Twelve primiparous, lactating German Holstein dairy cows were used in a longitudinal study design spanning from 2013 to 2014. Dairy cows were housed in respiration chambers during 3 stages of the lactation cycle: early (mean ± SD; 28.8 ± 6.42 d), mid- (89.4 ± 4.52 d), and late (293 ± 7.76 d) lactation. Individual CO₂, O₂, and CH₄ gas exchanges were measured every 6 min for two 24-h periods, an ad libitum period and fasting period (RES). Blood was sampled at the start and end of the RES period. Gas measurements were used to calculate HP, net carbohydrate oxidation (COX), and net fat oxidation (FOX). Measurements were corrected with metabolic BW (kg of BW^0.75; cBW). The RES period for each stage of lactation was further subdivided into the start (RES_start) and end (RES_end) by averaging the first and last 2 h of the RES period. The net change was calculated as RES_end − RES_start. All energy variables differed among lactation stage within the RES period except for HP/cBW. As expected, COX, COX/cBW, COX/HP, HP, and HP/cBW, were greater at the RES_start compared with RES_end, whereas FOX, FOX/cBW, and FOX/HP were greater at the RES_end except for FOX and FOX/cBW during mid lactation, which was only a tendency for a difference. The net change for COX, COX/cBW, HP, HP/cBW, and FOX/cBW did not differ among stages of lactation. Despite detecting a tendency for a difference among stage of lactation for FOX, pairwise analysis revealed no differences. Plasma triglyceride, urea, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were greater at RES_end than RES_start. The net change for plasma glucose, urea, β-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were greater in early than late lactation. Our results demonstrate that despite differences in absolute measurements of energy variables and plasma metabolites, the change in whole-body macronutrient oxidation and HP as cows' transition from a fed-like state to a starvation-like state during a 24-h fasting period is consistent throughout lactation.     

Prediction of methane production from dairy and beef cattle

Methane (CH₄) is one of the major greenhouse gases being targeted for reduction by the Kyoto protocol. The focus of recent research in animal science has thus been to develop or improve existing CH₄ prediction models to evaluate mitigation strategies to reduce overall CH₄ emissions. Eighty-three beef and 89 dairy data sets were collected and used to develop statistical models of CH₄ production using dietary variables. Dry matter intake (DMI), metabolizable energy intake, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ether extract, lignin, and forage proportion were considered in the development of models to predict CH₄ emissions. Extant models relevant to the study were also evaluated. For the beef database, the equation CH₄ (MJ/d) = 2.94 (± 1.16) + 0.059 (± 0.0201) × metabolizable energy intake (MJ/d) + 1.44 (± 0.331) × acid detergent fiber (kg/d) - 4.16 (± 1.93) × lignin (kg/d) resulted in the lowest root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) value (14.4%), 88% of which was random error. For the dairy database, the equation CH₄ (MJ/d) = 8.56 (± 2.63) + 0.14 (± 0.056) × forage (%) resulted in the lowest RMSPE value (20.6%) and 57% of error from random sources. An equation based on DMI also performed well for the dairy database: CH₄ (MJ/d) = 3.23 (± 1.12) + 0.81 (± 0.086) × DMI (kg/d), with a RMSPE of 25.6% and 91% of error from random sources. When the dairy and beef databases were combined, the equation CH₄ (MJ/d) = 3.27 (± 0.79) + 0.74 (± 0.074) × DMI (kg/d) resulted in the lowest RMSPE value (28.2%) and 83% of error from random sources. Two of the 9 extant equations evaluated predicted CH₄ production adequately. However, the new models based on more commonly determined values showed an improvement in predictions over extant equations.     

The effect of oak tannin (Quercus robur) and hops (Humulus lupulus) on dietary nitrogen efficiency,methane emission,and milk fatty acid composition of dairy cows fed a low-protein diet including linseed

The objective of this study was to test the effects of inclusion of hop pellets (HP) and oak tannin extracts (OT) alone or in combination on N efficiency, methane (CH₄) emission, and milk production and composition in 2 experiments with dairy cows fed low-N rations supplemented with linseed. In both experiments, 6 lactating Holstein cows were assigned to 3 dietary treatments in a 3 × 3 duplicated Latin square design (21-d periods). Cows were fed a total mixed ration at a restricted level to meet their nutrient requirements. In experiment 1, 169 g dry matter (DM) of OT or 56 g DM of HP was included separately in the control diet (C1). In experiment 2, the additives were included together (OT-HP) in the control diet (C2) similar to C1. Diet C2 was compared with a control without linseed (C0). In experiment 1, the supplementation of the control diet with OT decreased urinary N excretion by 12%. In experiment 2, the combination of OT and HP decreased urinary N by 7%. Oak tannin extracts and HP alone or in combination did not influence the daily enteric CH₄ production of cows. Cows fed diet C0 produced 17% more enteric CH₄ daily than those fed diet C2. Intake of diet C2, which contained 6.7% extruded linseed on a DM basis (experiment 2), decreased the sum of 6:0 to 14:0 fatty acids (?16%) and palmitic acid (?26%) and increased the stearic acid (+50%), oleic acid (+36%), vaccenic acid (trans-11 18:1; +285%), rumenic acid (cis-9,trans-11 18:2; +235%), and α-linolenic acid (+100%) in milk fat. The supplementation of diet C2 with the OT-HP mixture further improved the milk's fatty acid composition. Intake of the OT alone increased α-linolenic acid by 17.7% (experiment 1). The results of this study show that at the economically acceptable dose we tested, hops had no effect on urinary N excretion, CH₄ emission, milk production, and milk composition. By contrast, supplementation of diets with oak tannin extract can be considered for reducing urinary N excretion. The combination of oak tannin and hops had no more effect than oak tannin alone except on the milk fatty acid profile, which was favorably influenced from a nutritional point of view.     

Extraction of Volatile Compounds from Aqueous Solution using Micro Bubble, Gaseous, Supercritical and Liquid Carbon Dioxide

When separating volatile compounds from aqueous solution using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO₂), methods to bring SC CO₂ into contact with volatile compounds in the solution are very important. An extraction using micro bubble, gaseous, supercritical, and liquid CO₂ generated by a filter nozzle was carried out. Under optimal conditions (20 MPa, 35°C), > 95% of volatile compounds consisting of 6 to 12 carbon atoms could be removed by extraction for 40 min at CO₂ flow rate, 4.0 g/min. Extraction at 35°C could achieve either a selective or nonselective separation by adjusting the extraction pressure, since the effect of pressure on extraction ratio was most significant at 35°C.     

The relationship between milk metabolome and methane emission of Holstein Friesian dairy cows: Metabolic interpretation and prediction potential

This study aimed to quantify the relationship between CH₄ emission and fatty acids, volatile metabolites, and nonvolatile metabolites in milk of dairy cows fed forage-based diets. Data from 6 studies were used, including 27 dietary treatments and 123 individual observations from lactating Holstein-Friesian cows. These dietary treatments covered a large range of forage-based diets, with different qualities and proportions of grass silage and corn silage. Methane emission was measured in climate respiration chambers and expressed as production (g per day), yield (g per kg of dry matter intake; DMI), and intensity (g per kg of fat- and protein-corrected milk; FPCM). Milk samples were analyzed for fatty acids by gas chromatography, for volatile metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and for nonvolatile metabolites by nuclear magnetic resonance. Dry matter intake was 15.9 ± 1.90 kg/d (mean ± SD), FPCM yield was 25.2 ± 4.57 kg/d, CH₄ production was 359 ± 51.1 g/d, CH₄ yield was 22.6 ± 2.31 g/kg of DMI, and CH₄ intensity was 14.5 ± 2.59 g/kg of FPCM. The results show that changes in individual milk metabolite concentrations can be related to the ruminal CH₄ production pathways. Several of these relationships were diet driven, whereas some were partly dependent on FPCM yield. Next, prediction models were developed and subsequently evaluated based on root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis, and random 10-fold cross-validation. The best models with milk fatty acids (in g/100 g of fatty acids; MFA) alone predicted CH₄ production, yield, and intensity with a RMSEP of 34 g/d, 2.0 g/kg of DMI, and 1.7 g/kg of FPCM, and with a CCC of 0.67, 0.44, and 0.75, respectively. The CH₄ prediction potential of both volatile metabolites alone and nonvolatile metabolites alone was low, regardless of the unit of CH₄ emission, as evidenced by the low CCC values (<0.35). The best models combining the 3 types of metabolites as selection variables resulted in the inclusion of only MFA for CH₄ production and CH₄ yield. For CH₄ intensity, MFA, volatile metabolites, and nonvolatile metabolites were included in the prediction model. This resulted in a small improvement in prediction potential (CCC of 0.80; RMSEP of 1.5 g/kg of FPCM) relative to MFA alone. These results indicate that volatile and nonvolatile metabolites in milk contain some information to increase our understanding of enteric CH₄ production of dairy cows, but that it is not worthwhile to determine the volatile and nonvolatile metabolites in milk to estimate CH₄ emission of dairy cows. We conclude that MFA have moderate potential to predict CH₄ emission of dairy cattle fed forage-based diets, and that the models can aid in the effort to understand and mitigate CH₄ emissions of dairy cows.     

Enteric methane emission from Jersey cows during the spring transition from indoor feeding to grazing

Organic dairy cows in Denmark are often kept indoors during the winter and outside at least part time in the summer. Consequently, their diet changes by the season. We hypothesized that grazing might affect enteric CH₄ emissions due to changes in the nutrition, maintenance, and activity of the cows, and they might differentially respond to these factors. This study assessed the repeatability of enteric CH₄ emission measurements for Jersey cattle in a commercial organic dairy herd in Denmark. It also evaluated the effects of a gradual transition from indoor winter feeding to outdoor spring grazing. Further, it assessed the individual-level correlations between measurements during the consecutive feeding periods (phenotype × environment, P × E) as neither pedigrees nor genotypes were available to estimate a genotype by environment effect. Ninety-six mixed-parity lactating Jersey cows were monitored for 30 d before grazing and for 24 d while grazing. The cows spent 8 to 11 h grazing each day and had free access to an in-barn automatic milking system (AMS). For each visit to the AMS, milk yield was recorded and logged along with date and time. Monitoring equipment installed in the AMS feed bins continuously measured enteric CH₄ and CO₂ concentrations (ppm) using a noninvasive “sniffer” method. Raw enteric CH₄ and CO₂ concentrations and their ratio (CH₄:CO₂) were derived from average concentrations measured during milking and per day for each cow. We used mixed models equations to estimate variance components and adjust for the fixed and random effects influencing the analyzed gas concentrations. Univariate models were used to precorrect the gas measurements for diurnal variation and to estimate the direct effect of grazing on the analyzed concentrations. A bivariate model was used to assess the correlation between the 2 periods (in-barn vs. grazing) for each gas concentration. Grazing had a weak P × E interaction for daily average CH₄ and CO₂ gas concentrations. Bivariate repeatability estimates for average CH₄ and CO₂ concentrations and CH₄:CO₂ were 0.77 to 0.78, 0.73 to 0.80, and 0.26, respectively. Repeatability for CH₄:CO₂ was low (0.26) but indicated some between-animal variation. In conclusion, grazing does not create significant shifts compared with indoor feeding in how animals rank for average CH₄ and CO₂ concentrations and CH₄:CO₂. We found no evidence that separate evaluation is needed to quantify enteric CH₄ and CO₂ emissions from Jersey cows during in-barn and grazing periods.     

Technical note: Interchangeability and comparison of methane measurements in dairy cows with 2 noninvasive infrared systems

This study aimed to compare measurements of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in the breath of dairy cows kept in commercial conditions using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nondispersive infrared spectroscopy (NDIR) methods. The measurement systems were installed in an automated milking system. Measurements were carried out for 5 d using both systems during milkings. The measurements were averaged per milking, giving 467 observations of CH₄ and CO₂ concentrations of 44 Holstein Friesian cows. The Pearson correlation between observations from the 2 systems was 0.86 for CH₄, 0.84 for CO₂, and 0.88 for their ratio. The repeatability of FTIR (0.53 for CH₄, 0.57 for CO₂, and 0.28 for their ratio) was somewhat higher than that of NDIR (0.57 for CH₄, 0.47 for CO₂, and 0.25 for their ratio). The coefficient of individual agreement was 0.98 for CH₄, 0.89 for CO₂, and 0.89 for their ratio; the concordance correlation coefficient was 0.48 for both gases and 0.24 for their ratio. We showed that FTIR and NDIR give similar results in commercial farm conditions. They can therefore be used interchangeably to generate a larger data set, which could then be further used for genetic evaluation.     

Methane emissions among individual dairy cows during milking quantified by eructation peaks or ratio with carbon dioxide

The aims of this study were to compare methods for examining measurements of CH₄ and CO₂ emissions of dairy cows during milking and to assess repeatability and variation of CH₄ emissions among individual dairy cows. Measurements of CH₄ and CO₂ emissions from 36 cows were collected in 3 consecutive feeding periods. In the first period, cows were fed a commercial partial mixed ration (PMR) containing 69% forage. In the second and third periods, the same 36 cows were fed a high-forage PMR ration containing 75% forage, with either a high grass silage or high maize silage content. Emissions of CH₄ during each milking were examined using 2 methods. First, peaks in CH₄ concentration due to eructations during milking were quantified. Second, ratios of CH₄ and CO₂ average concentrations during milking were calculated. A linear mixed model was used to assess differences between PMR. Variation in CH₄ emissions was observed among cows after adjusting for effects of lactation number, week of lactation, diet, individual cow, and feeding period, with coefficients of variation estimated from variance components ranging from 11 to 14% across diets and methods of quantifying emissions. No significant difference was detected between the 3 PMR in CH₄ emissions estimated by either method. Emissions of CH₄ calculated from eructation peaks or as CH₄ to CO₂ ratio were positively associated with forage dry matter intake. Ranking of cows according to CH₄ emissions on different diets was correlated for both methods, although rank correlations and repeatability were greater for CH₄ concentration from eructation peaks than for CH₄-to-CO₂ ratio. We conclude that quantifying enteric CH₄ emissions either using eructation peaks in concentration or as CH₄-to-CO₂ ratio can provide highly repeatable phenotypes for ranking cows on CH₄ output.     

Emissions of ammonia,nitrous oxide,methane, and carbon dioxide during storage of dairy cow manure as affected by dietary forage-to-concentrate ratio and crust formation

Sixteen 200-L barrels were used to determine the effects of dietary forage-to-concentrate (F:C) ratio on the rate of NH₃-N, N₂O, CH₄, and CO₂ emissions from dairy manure during a 77-d storage period. Manure was obtained from a companion study where cows were assigned to total mixed rations that included the following F:C ratio: 47:53, 54:46, 61:39, and 68:32 (diet dry matter basis) and housed in air-flow-controlled chambers constructed in a modified tiestall barn. On d 0 of this study, deposited manure and bedding from each emission chamber was thoroughly mixed, diluted with water (1.9 to 1 manure-to-water ratio) and loaded in barrels. In addition, on d 0, 7, 14, 28, 35, 49, 56, 63, 70, and 77 of storage, the rate of NH₃-N, N₂O, CH₄, and CO₂ emissions from each barrel were measured with a dynamic chamber and gas concentration measured with a photo-acoustic multi-gas monitor. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block with 4 replications. Dietary F:C ratio had no effect on manure dry matter, total N and total ammoniacal-N (NH₃-N + NH₄⁺-N), or pH at the time of storage (mean ± SD: 10.6 ± 0.6%, 3.0 ± 0.2%, 93.1 ± 18.1 mg/dL, and 7.8 ± 0.5, respectively). No treatment differences were observed in the overall rate of manure NH₃-N, N₂O, CH₄, and CO₂ emissions (mean ± SD over the 77-d storage period; 117 ± 25, 30 ± 7, 299 ± 62, and 15,396 ± 753 mg/hr per m², respectively). The presence of straw bedding in manure promoted the formation of a surface crust that became air dried after about 1 mo of storage, and was associated with an altered pattern in NH₃-N and N₂O emissions in particular. Whereas NH₃-N emission rate was highest on d 0 and gradually decreased until reaching negligible levels on d 35, N₂O emission rate was almost zero the first 2 wk of storage, increased sharply to peak on d 35, and decreased subsequently. The emission rate of CH₄ and CO₂ peaked simultaneously on d 7, but decreased subsequently until the end of the storage period. In this study, C:N ratio of gaseous losses was 32:1, reflecting higher volatile C loss than volatile N loss during storage. On a CO₂-equivalent basis, the most important source of non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emitted was CH₄ until formation of an air-dried crust, but N₂O thereafter. Taken together, these results suggested that the formation of an air-dried crust resulting from the straw bedding present in the manure reduced drastically NH₃-N, and CH₄ emissions, but was conducive of N₂O production and emission.     

Impact of nitrate and 3-nitrooxypropanol on the carbon footprints of milk from cattle produced in confined-feeding systems across regions in the United States: A life cycle analysis

It is estimated that enteric methane (CH₄) contributes about 70% of all livestock greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Several studies indicated that feed additives such as 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and nitrate have great potential to reduce enteric emissions. The objective of this study was to determine the net effects of 3-NOP and nitrate on farmgate milk carbon footprint across various regions of the United States and to determine the variability of carbon footprint. A cradle-to-farmgate life cycle assessment was performed to determine regional and national carbon footprint to produce 1 kg of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM). Records from 1,355 farms across 37 states included information on herd structure, milk production and composition, cattle diets, manure management, and farm energy. Enteric CH₄, manure CH₄, and nitrous oxide were calculated with either the widely used Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier 2 or region-specific equations available in the literature. Emissions were allocated between milk and meat using a biophysical allocation method. Impacts of nitrate and 3-NOP on baseline regional and national carbon footprint were accounted for using equations adjusted for dry matter intake and neutral detergent fiber. Uncertainty analysis of carbon footprint was performed using Monte Carlo simulations to capture variability due to inputs data. Overall, the milk carbon footprint for the baseline, nitrate, and 3-NOP scenarios were 1.14, 1.09 (4.8% reduction), and 1.01 (12% reduction) kg of CO₂-equivalents (CO₂-eq)/kg of FPCM across US regions. The greatest carbon footprint for the baseline scenario was in the Southeast (1.26 kg of CO₂-eq/kg of FPCM) and lowest for the West region (1.02 kg of CO₂-eq/kg of FPCM). Enteric CH₄ reductions were 12.4 and 31.0% for the nitrate and 3-NOP scenarios, respectively. The uncertainty analysis showed that carbon footprint values ranged widely (0.88–1.52 and 0.56–1.84 kg of CO₂-eq/kg of FPCM within 1 and 2 standard deviations, respectively), suggesting the importance of site-specific estimates of carbon footprint. Considering that 101 billion kilograms of milk was produced by the US dairy industry in 2020, the potential net reductions of GHG from the baseline 117 billion kilograms of CO₂-eq were 5.6 and 13.9 billion kilograms of CO₂-eq for the nitrate and 3-NOP scenarios, respectively.     

Genetic background of methane emission by Dutch Holstein Friesian cows measured with infrared sensors in automatic milking systems

International environmental agreements have led to the need to reduce methane emission by dairy cows. Reduction could be achieved through selective breeding. The aim of this study was to quantify the genetic variation of methane emission by Dutch Holstein Friesian cows measured using infrared sensors installed in automatic milking systems (AMS). Measurements of CH₄ and CO₂ on 1,508 Dutch Holstein Friesian cows located on 11 commercial dairy farms were available. Phenotypes per AMS visit were the mean of CH₄, mean of CO₂, mean of CH₄ divided by mean of CO₂, and their log₁₀-transformations. The repeatabilities of the log₁₀-transformated methane phenotypes were 0.27 for CH₄, 0.31 for CO₂, and 0.14 for the ratio. The log₁₀-transformated heritabilities of these phenotypes were 0.11 for CH₄, 0.12 for CO₂, and 0.03 for the ratio. These results indicate that measurements taken using infrared sensors in AMS are repeatable and heritable and, thus, could be used for selection for lower CH₄ emission. Furthermore, it is important to account for farm, AMS, day of measurement, time of day, and lactation stage when estimating genetic parameters for methane phenotypes. Selection based on log₁₀-transformated CH₄ instead of the ratio would be expected to give a greater reduction of CH₄ emission by dairy cows.     

Genetic parameters for repeatedly recorded enteric methane concentrations of dairy cows

Animal breeding techniques offer potential to reduce enteric emissions of ruminants to lower the environmental impact of dairy farming. The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability and repeatability of methane (CH₄) concentrations, using the largest data set from long-term repeatedly recorded CH₄ on cows to date, and to evaluate (1) the accuracy of breeding values for different CH₄ traits, including using visits or weekly means, and (2) recording strategies (with varying numbers of records and recorded daughters per sire). The data comprised of long-term recording of CH₄ and carbon dioxide (CO₂), from 1,746 Holstein Friesian cows, on 14 commercial dairy farms throughout the Netherlands. Emissions were recorded in 10- to 35-s intervals, between 64 and 436 d, depending on farms. From each robot visit, CH₄ and CO₂ concentrations were summarized into various traits, averaged per visit and per week: mean, median, mean log, and mean CH₄/CO₂ ratio. Genetic parameters were estimated with animal repeatability models, using a restricted maximum likelihood procedure, and a relationship matrix based on genotypes and pedigree. The heritability was equal for mean and median CH₄ per visit (0.13) but lower for logCH₄ and CH₄/CO₂ (0.07 and 0.01, respectively). Phenotypic and genetic correlations were high (≥0.78) between the CH₄ traits, apart from the genetic correlations with the CH₄/CO₂ trait, which were negative. To achieve a minimum reliability of 50% for the estimated breeding value of a bull, 25 records on mean CH₄, measured on 10 different daughters, were sufficient. Although the heritability and repeatability were higher for weekly (0.32 and 0.68, respectively) than for visit mean CH₄ (0.13 and 0.30, respectively), the reliabilities of estimated breeding values from visit or weekly means were equal; thus, we found no advantage in averaging records to weekly means for genetic evaluations.     

Potential roles of nitrate and live yeast culture in suppressing methane emission and influencing ruminal fermentation,digestibility, and milk production in lactating Jersey cows

Concern over the carbon footprint of the dairy industry has led to various dietary approaches to mitigate enteric CH₄ production. One approach is feeding the electron acceptor NO₃^?, thus outcompeting methanogens for aqueous H₂. We hypothesized that a live yeast culture (LYC; Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Yea-Sacc 1026, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) would stimulate the complete reduction of NO₃^? to NH₃ by selenomonads, thus decreasing the quantity of CH₄ emissions per unit of energy-corrected milk production while decreasing blood methemoglobin concentration resulting from the absorbed intermediate, NO₂^?. Twelve lactating Jersey cows (8 multiparous and noncannulated; 4 primiparous and ruminally cannulated) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cattle were fed diets containing 1.5% NO₃^? (from calcium ammonium nitrate) or an isonitrogenous control diet (containing additional urea) and given a top-dress of ground corn without or with LYC, with the fourth week used for data collection. Noncannulated cows were spot measured for CH₄ emission by mouth using GreenFeed (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD). The main effect of NO₃^? decreased CH₄ by 17% but decreased dry matter intake by 10% (from 19.8 to 17.8 kg/d) such that CH₄:dry matter intake numerically decreased by 8% and CH₄:milk net energy for lactation production was unaffected by treatment. Milk and milk fat production were not affected, but NO₃^? decreased milk protein from 758 to 689 g/d. Ruminal pH decreased more sharply after feeding for cows fed diets without NO₃^?. Acetate:propionate was greater for cows fed NO₃^?, particularly when combined with LYC (interaction effect). Blood methemoglobin was higher for cattle fed NO₃^? than for those fed the control diet but was low for both treatments (1.5 vs. 0.5%, respectively; only one measurement exceeded 5%), indicating minimal risk for NO₂^? accumulation at our feeding level of NO₃^?. Although neither apparent organic matter nor neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were affected, apparent N digestibility had an interaction for NO₃^? × LYC such that apparent N digestibility was numerically lowest for diets containing both NO₃^? and LYC compared with the other 3 diets. Under the conditions of this study, NO₃^? mitigated ruminal methanogenesis but also depressed dry matter intake and milk protein yield. Based on the fact that few interactions were detected, LYC had a minimal role in attenuating negative cow responses to NO₃^? supplementation.     

Predicting methane emissions of lactating Danish Holstein cows using Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy of milk

Enteric methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas, is among the main targets of mitigation practices for the dairy industry. A measurement technique that is rapid, inexpensive, easy to use, and applicable at the population level is desired to estimate CH₄ emission from dairy cows. In the present study, feasibility of milk Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-IR) spectral profiles as a predictor for CH₄:CO₂ ratio and CH₄ production (L/d) is explained. The partial least squares regression method was used to develop the prediction models. The models were validated using different random test sets, which are independent from the training set by leaving out records of 20% cows for validation and keeping records of 80% of cows for training the model. The data set consisted of 3,623 records from 500 Danish Holstein cows from both experimental and commercial farms. For both CH₄:CO₂ ratio and CH₄ production, low prediction accuracies were found when models were obtained using FT-IR spectra. Validated coefficient of determination (R²_Val) = 0.21 with validated model error root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) = 0.0114 L/d for CH₄:CO₂ ratio, and R²_Val = 0.13 with RMSEP = 111 L/d for CH₄ production. The important spectral wavenumbers selected using the recursive partial least squares method represented major milk components fat, protein, and lactose regions of the spectra. When fat and protein predicted by FT-IR were used instead of full spectra, a low R²_Val of 0.07 was obtained for both CH₄:CO₂ ratio and CH₄ production prediction. Other spectral wavenumbers related to lactose (carbohydrate) or additional wavenumbers related to fat or protein (amide II) are providing additional variation when using the full spectral profile. For CH₄:CO₂ ratio prediction, integration of FT-IR with other factors such as milk yield, herd, and lactation stage showed improvement in the prediction accuracy. However, overall prediction accuracy remained modest; R²_Val increased to 0.31 with RMSEP = 0.0105. For prediction of CH₄ production, the added value of FT-IR along with the aforementioned traits was marginal. These results indicated that for CH₄ production prediction, FT-IR profiles reflect primarily information related to milk yield, herd, and lactation stage rather than individual milk fatty acids related to CH₄ emission. Thus, it is not feasible to predict CH₄ emission based on FT-IR spectra alone.     

Effect of forage-to-concentrate ratio in dairy cow diets on emission of methane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia, lactation performance, and manure excretion

Holstein cows housed in a modified tie-stall barn were used to determine the effect of feeding diets with different forage-to-concentrate ratios (F:C) on performance and emission of CH₄, CO₂ and manure NH₃-N. Eight multiparous cows (means ± standard deviation): 620 ± 68 kg of body weight; 52 ± 34 d in milk and 8 primiparous cows (546 ± 38 kg of body weight; 93 ± 39 d in milk) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 air-flow controlled chambers, constructed to fit 4 cows each. Chambers were assigned to dietary treatment sequences in a single 4 × 4 Latin square design. Dietary treatments, fed as 16.2% crude protein total mixed rations included the following F:C ratio: 47:53, 54:46, 61:39, and 68:32 [diet dry matter (DM) basis]. Forage consisted of alfalfa silage and corn silage in a 1:1 ratio. Cow performance and emission data were measured on the last 7 d and the last 4 d, respectively of each 21-d period. Air samples entering and exiting each chamber were analyzed with a photo-acoustic field gas monitor. In a companion study, fermentation pattern was studied in 8 rumen-cannulated cows. Increasing F:C ratio in the diet had no effect on DM intake (21.1 ± 1.5 kg/d), energy-corrected milk (ECM, 37.4 ± 2.2 kg/d), ECM/DM intake (1.81 ± 0.18), yield of milk fat, and manure excretion and composition; however, it increased milk fat content linearly by 7% and decreased linearly true protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat content (by 4, 1, and 2%, respectively) and yield (by 10, 6, and 6%, respectively), and milk N-to-N intake ratio. On average 93% of the N consumed by the cows in the chambers was accounted for as milk N, manure N, or emitted NH₃-N. Increasing the F:C ratio also increased ruminal pH linearly and affected concentrations of butyrate and isovalerate quadratically. Increasing the F:C ratio from 47:53 to 68:32 increased CH₄ emission from 538 to 648 g/cow per day, but had no effect on manure NH₃-N emission (14.1 ± 3.9 g/cow per day) and CO₂ emission (18,325 ± 2,241 g/cow per day). In this trial, CH₄ emission remained constant per unit of neutral detergent fiber intake (1 g of CH₄ was emitted for every 10.3 g of neutral detergent fiber consumed by the cow), but increased from 14.4 to 18.0 g/kg of ECM when the percentage of forage in the diet increased from 47 to 68%. Although the pattern of emission within a day was distinct for each gas, emissions were higher between morning feeding (0930 h) and afternoon milking (1600 h) than later in the day. Altering the level of forage within a practical range and rebalancing dietary crude protein with common feeds of the Midwest of the United States had no effects on manure NH₃-N emission but altered CH₄ emission.     

Combined PEF,CO2 and HP application to chilled coho salmon and its effects on quality attributes under different rigor conditions

Effects of pulsed electric fields (PEF: 1–2 kV/cm, 20 μs) used alone and combined with carbon dioxide (CO₂: 70%) and high hydrostatic pressure (HP: 150 MPa, 5 min) on the physicochemical properties and microbiological shelf life of coho salmon under pre- and post-rigor conditions were studied during refrigerated storage (25 days). The PEF + CO₂ + HP treatments reduced color changes in pre-rigor more than in post-rigor salmon. Texture changes of pre- and post-rigor salmon differed between untreated and treated salmon. Combined treatments also effectively reduced the protease and lipase activity of pre-rigor salmon. Collagenase activity of post-rigor salmon remained low in all treatments. Principal component analysis showed a clear difference between pre- and post-rigor states in the evaluated parameters; however, microbiological shelf life increased with PEF + CO₂ regardless of the rigor condition. In conclusion, combined PEF, CO₂, and HP treatments can improve salmon quality during refrigerated storage and thus extend its microbial shelf life.Industrial relevanceThe current demand for processed seafood that is similar to fresh products has created a new area of development in non-thermal processing technologies. Refrigeration and freezing have been applied for many years to extend the shelf life of seafood products, but there is deterioration regardless of the preservation method. Therefore, the combination of non-thermal processing technologies (PEF + CO₂ + HP) could be applied to a large variety of seafood industries. Seafood products could be treated by PEF combined with CO₂ and HP to further evaluate quality attributes under different rigor conditions during chilled storage and estimate the shelf life of the processed product.