Red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) supplementation reduces enteric methane by over 80 percent in beef steers

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247820
• Publication Date: 2021-03-17T17:39:32Z
• Authors: Breanna M. Roque; Marielena Venegas; Robert D. Kinley; Rocky de Nys; Toni L. Duarte; Xiang Yang; Ermias Kebreab
• Keywords: Loin; Beef Cattle; Total mixed ration

The red macroalgae (seaweed) Asparagopsis spp. has shown to reduce ruminant enteric methane (CH 4 ) production up 99% in vitro . objective of this study was determine the effect taxiformis on CH (g/day per animal), yield (g /kg dry matter intake (DMI)), and intensity ADG); average daily gain (ADG; kg gain/day), feed conversion efficiency (FCE; ADG/kg DMI), carcass meat quality growing beef steers. Twenty-one Angus-Hereford steers were randomly allocated one three treatment groups: 0% (Control), 0.25% (Low), 0.5% (High) A inclusion based organic intake. Steers fed 3 diets: high, medium, low forage total mixed ration (TMR) representing life-stage diets Low High treatments over 147 days reduced 45 68%, respectively. However, there an interaction between TMR type magnitude reduction. Supplementing 69.8% ( P <0.01) for 80% treatments. Hydrogen (H 2 H /DMI) increased 336 590% compared Control treatments, Carbon dioxide (CO CO 13.7% (P = 0.03). No differences found ADG, quality, strip loin proximate analysis shear force, or consumer taste preferences. DMI tended decrease 8% 0.08) decreased 14% treatment. Conversely, FCE increase 7% 0.06) Control. persistent reduction by supplementation suggests that is a viable additive significantly carbon footprint livestock potentially efficiency.