Asparagopsis taxiformis inclusion in grass silage-based diets fed to Norwegian red dairy cows: Effects on ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and enteric methane emission

• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105495
• Publication Date: 2024-05-20T16:26:21Z
• Authors: Katrine S. Eikanger; Sigrid T. Kjær; Peter Dörsch; Alan D. Iwaasa; Aklilu W. Alemu; Ingunn Schei; Phillip B. Pope; Live H. Hagen; Alemayehu Kidane
• Keywords: Silage

Efforts to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) emission from ruminants by using the red macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT) have demonstrated promising results both in vitro and vivo. We assessed effects of wild harvested freeze-dried AT inclusion grass silage-based diets Norwegian Red dairy cows on feed intake, milk yield composition, rumen fermentation CH4 emission. Fifteen (9 cannulated 6 intact) multiparous with an average (±SD) covariate period (MY) 33.0 (3.8) kg/day were used experiment. The divided into three groups (n = 5) after blocking for cannulation, initial MY. After feeding a common diet 21 days (i.e., Covariate period), randomly allocated treatments: Control (no seaweed), 0.125%AT (Control + 0.125% AT, organic matter (OM) basis) 0.25%AT 0.25% OM basis). adapted their 13 days, followed 39 experimental data collection. Inclusion at level did not affect dry intake (DMI, kg/d) but signicantly reduced MY energy corrected (ECM, (P < 0.05) tendency lower production (g/d) relative control group. Dry ECM Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility (%), per kg DMI, (g CH4/kg DMI) intensity ECM) affected inclusion. levels, significantly ruminal fluid short chain fatty acids molar proportions actate, while increasing proportion propionate isovalerate. decreased contents (%) fat 0.018) protein 0.010) resulting significanly yields. Lactose content was higher 0.021) this compensate lactose yield. Milk iodine increased dose dependent manner In conclusion, diets. However, DMI group along elevated groups, particular harvest would suggest possible constraints large scale cow production.