Milk production and composition, and methane emissions from dairy cows fed lucerne hay with forage brassica or chicory
S. R. O. Williams A B , P. J. Moate A , M. H. Deighton A , M. C. Hannah A , W. J. Wales A and J. L. Jacobs A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Agriculture Research Division, Department of Economic Development Jobs Transport and Resources, Ellinbank, Vic. 3821, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: richard.williams@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Animal Production Science 56(3) 304-311 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15528
Submitted: 1 September 2015 Accepted: 31 October 2015 Published: 9 February 2016
Abstract
Forage brassica and chicory crops provide an alternative to perennial grass pastures as a forage supply for grazing dairy cows during summer, but there is little information about their effects on milk production and methane (CH4) emissions. Thirty-two Holstein–Friesian cows were fed for 10 days on a diet of lucerne cubes (750 g/kg DM) and grain (250 g/kg DM) (CON) or diets in which forage brassica (410 g/kg DM, FBR) or reproductive-stage chicory (410 g/kg DM, RCH) were offered with lucerne cubes (340 g/kg DM) and grain (250 g/kg DM). Cows offered the FBR diet produced more energy-corrected milk (25.4 kg/day) than did cows offered the CON diet (22.7 kg/day, P = 0.001), even though DM intake was not different for cows between the two groups (20.6 kg/day on average). In contrast, cows offered the RCH diet produced less energy-corrected milk (19.3 kg/day) than did cows in the other two groups (P = 0.001), reflecting the lower DM intake by cows offered the RCH diet (17.7 kg/day, P < 0.01). Methane yield (g CH4/kg DMI) was lower (P < 0.01) on the CON (21.0) and FBR (20.5) diets than on the RCH diet (26.1). Methane intensity (g/kg energy-corrected milk) was different (P < 0.01) for all diets, with CON (19.4) being intermediate, FBR (17.3) lowest and RCH (23.8) the greatest. Diet type was associated with differences in the proportions of only a small number of specific milk fatty acids, and differences in proportions of specific fatty acids were not related to CH4 emissions.
Additional keywords: Brassica napus, cattle, CH4, Cichorium intybus, forage, milk fatty acids.
References
Baird DB (1994) The design of experiments with covariates. PhD Thesis, University of Otago, New Zealand.Barry TN (1998) The feeding value of chicory (Cichorium intybus) for ruminant livestock. The Journal of Agricultural Science 131, 251–257.
| The feeding value of chicory (Cichorium intybus) for ruminant livestock.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barry TN (2013) The feeding value of forage brassica plants for grazing ruminant livestock. Animal Feed Science and Technology 181, 15–25.
| The feeding value of forage brassica plants for grazing ruminant livestock.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXjvVeltLo%3D&md5=c6aa1dddbd3bb336c25d702e9e07a596CAS |
Beauchemin K, Kreuzer M, O’Mara F, McAllister T (2008) Nutritional management for enteric methane abatement: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 21–27.
| Nutritional management for enteric methane abatement: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXovVGn&md5=23b38df440406cdf954ea8c1fc39bac0CAS |
Chilliard Y, Martin C, Rouel J, Doreau M (2009) Milk fatty acids in dairy cows fed whole crude linseed, extruded linseed, or linseed oil, and their relationship with methane output. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 5199–5211.
| Milk fatty acids in dairy cows fed whole crude linseed, extruded linseed, or linseed oil, and their relationship with methane output.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtF2qtrfE&md5=4c39339505cd7313684aa8ddd323acd9CAS | 19762838PubMed |
Dairy One (2015) Dairy One forage laboratory analytical procedures. Available at http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/75/aid/376.htm#25 [Verified 5 August 2015]
Deighton MH, Williams SRO, Hannah MC, Eckard RJ, Boland TM, Moate PJ (2014) A modified sulphur hexafluoride tracer technique enables accurate determination of enteric methane emissions from ruminants. Animal Feed Science and Technology 197, 47–63.
| A modified sulphur hexafluoride tracer technique enables accurate determination of enteric methane emissions from ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhsVSqsbvO&md5=b324810e4cc3b6e0a1222aa05a1cb876CAS |
Dement WA, Mooney HA (1974) Seasonal variation in the production of tannins and cyanogenic glucosides in the chaparral shrub, Heteromeles arbutifolia. Oecologia 15, 65–76.
| Seasonal variation in the production of tannins and cyanogenic glucosides in the chaparral shrub, Heteromeles arbutifolia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dijkstra J, van Zijderveld SM, Apajalahti JA, Bannink A, Gerrits WJJ, Newbold JR, Perdok HB, Berends H (2011) Relationships between methane production and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cattle. Animal Feed Science and Technology 166–167, 590–595.
Freer M, Dove H, Nolan JV (Eds) (2007) ‘Nutrient requirements of domesticated ruminants.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Hammond KJ, Humphries DJ, Westbury DB, Thompson A, Crompton LA, Kirton P, Green C, Reynolds CK (2014) The inclusion of forage mixtures in the diet of growing dairy heifers: Impacts on digestion, energy utilisation, and methane emissions. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 197, 88–95.
| The inclusion of forage mixtures in the diet of growing dairy heifers: Impacts on digestion, energy utilisation, and methane emissions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhtlahs7rL&md5=fb7ba7db15d9548760f7d4eadf582353CAS |
Jacobs JL, Ward GN (2011) Effect of nitrogen application on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics and mineral content of summer-active forage crops in southern Australia. Animal Production Science 51, 77–86.
| Effect of nitrogen application on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics and mineral content of summer-active forage crops in southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson KA, Johnson DE (1995) Methane emissions from cattle. Journal of Animal Science 73, 2483–2492.
Minneé EMK, Clark CEF, McAllister TB, Hutchinson KJ, Lee JM (2012) Chicory and plantain as feeds for dairy cows in late lactation. In ‘Australasian dairy science symposium. Melbourne, Australia’. (Ed. JL Jacobs) pp. 426–428. (Australasian Dairy Science Symposium: Melbourne)
Moate PJ, Dalley DE, Roche JR, Grainger C, Hannah MC, Martin K (1998) Milk production responses to turnips fed to dairy cows in mid lactation. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 38, 117–123.
| Milk production responses to turnips fed to dairy cows in mid lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moate PJ, Williams SRO, Torok V, Hannah MC, Ribaux BE, Tavendale M, Eckard RJ, Jacobs JL, Auldist MJ, Wales WJ (2014) Grape marc reduces methane emissions when fed to dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 5073–5087.
| Grape marc reduces methane emissions when fed to dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhtVCjur3E&md5=078818284e34aa3a309bb4ad6466718dCAS | 24952778PubMed |
Mohammed R, McGinn SM, Beauchemin KA (2011) Prediction of enteric methane output from milk fatty acid concentrations and rumen fermentation parameters in dairy cows fed sunflower, flax, or canola seeds. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 6057–6068.
| Prediction of enteric methane output from milk fatty acid concentrations and rumen fermentation parameters in dairy cows fed sunflower, flax, or canola seeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsFClsbrF&md5=0a197ad94be58b8971d45e3a1ed9dd80CAS | 22118093PubMed |
Muir SK, Ward GN, Jacobs JL (2014) Milk production and composition of mid-lactation cows consuming perennial ryegrass- and chicory-based diets. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 1005–1015.
| Milk production and composition of mid-lactation cows consuming perennial ryegrass- and chicory-based diets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvV2gur3I&md5=0494b18a045c8e80e83df9d75d391dddCAS | 24290818PubMed |
National Health and Medical Research Council (2013) ‘Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.’ 8th edn. (National Health and Medical Research Council: Canberra) Available at www.nhmrc.gov.au [Verified 13 November 2015]
Pacheco D, Waghorn G, Janssen PH (2014) Decreasing methane emissions from ruminants grazing forages: a fit with productive and financial realities? Animal Production Science 54, 1141–1154.
| Decreasing methane emissions from ruminants grazing forages: a fit with productive and financial realities?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhtlaktLjP&md5=54f80ac0af42d784699436864c9f8346CAS |
Satter LD, Slyter LL (1974) Effect of ammonia concentration on rumen microbial protein production in vitro. British Journal of Nutrition 32, 199–208.
Sauvant D, Giger-Reverdin S, Serment A, Broudiscou L (2011) Influences des régimes et de leur fermentation dans le rumen sur la production de méthane par les ruminants. INRA Production Animaux 24, 433–446.
Sun XZ, Hoskins SO, Muetzel S, Molano G, Clark H (2011) Effects of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) on methane emissions in vitro and from sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology 166–167, 391–397.
| Effects of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) on methane emissions in vitro and from sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sun XZ, Waghorn GC, Hoskin SO, Harrison SJ, Muetzel S, Pacheco D (2012) Methane emissions from sheep fed fresh brassicas (Brassica spp.) compared to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Animal Feed Science and Technology 176, 107–116.
| Methane emissions from sheep fed fresh brassicas (Brassica spp.) compared to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtVykt7zE&md5=57a2b7e4387e81154bd068af1035d0b5CAS |
Sun XZ, Maclean S, Luo DW, Pacheco D (2014) Sheep fed five different summer forage brassicas emitted less methane than sheep fed perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production 30, 98
Sun XZ, Henderson G, Cox F, Molano G, Harrison SJ, Luo D, Janssen PH, Pacheco D (2015) Lambs fed fresh winter forage rape (Brassica napus L.) emit less methane than those fed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and possible mechanisms behind the difference. PLoS One 10, e0119697
| Lambs fed fresh winter forage rape (Brassica napus L.) emit less methane than those fed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and possible mechanisms behind the difference.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Swainson N, Hoskin S, Clark H, Brookes I (2008) The effect of coconut oil and monensin on methane emissions from sheep fed either fresh perennial ryegrass pasture of chicory. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, –Ixxviii.
Ushida K, Jouany JP (1996) Methane production associated with rumen ciliate protozoa and its effect on protozoa activity. Letters in Applied Microbiology 23, 129–132.
| Methane production associated with rumen ciliate protozoa and its effect on protozoa activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XlsFSks7s%3D&md5=d90957cd0ed696641bcabab8ad17121eCAS | 8987455PubMed |
van Lingen HJ, Crompton LA, Hendriks WH, Reynolds CK, Dijkstra J (2014) Meta-analysis of relationships between enteric methane yield and milk fatty acid profile in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 7115–7132.
Waghorn GC, Tavendale MH, Woodfield DR (2002) Methanogenesis from forages fed to sheep. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 64, 167–171.
Walker DJ, Martínez-Fernández D, Correal E, Romero-Espinar P, Antonio del Río J (2012) Accumulation of furanocoumarins by Bituminaria bituminosa in relation to plant development and environmental stress. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 54, 133–139.
| Accumulation of furanocoumarins by Bituminaria bituminosa in relation to plant development and environmental stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xls1amsbc%3D&md5=70184c13207b3fcbf12c35c3dcadb908CAS | 22459509PubMed |
Williams SRO, Moate PJ, Hannah MC, Ribaux BE, Wales WJ, Eckard RJ (2011) Background matters with the SF6 tracer method for estimating enteric methane emissions from dairy cows: a critical evaluation of the SF6 procedure. Animal Feed Science and Technology 170, 265–276.
| Background matters with the SF6 tracer method for estimating enteric methane emissions from dairy cows: a critical evaluation of the SF6 procedure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsVOrurfJ&md5=b99ba9947d98e527b2286e69a1d9f389CAS |
Williams SRO, Moate PJ, Deighton MH, Hannah MC, Wales WJ (2014a) Methane emissions of dairy cows cannot be predicted by the concentrations of C8:0 and total C18 fatty acids in milk. Animal Production Science 54, 1757–1761.
| Methane emissions of dairy cows cannot be predicted by the concentrations of C8:0 and total C18 fatty acids in milk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhsVWjtrfI&md5=838cdd872b957cbb1ac76a876d4072d7CAS |
Williams SRO, Moate PJ, Deighton MH (2014b) Sampling background air. In ‘Guidelines for use of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique to measure enteric methane emissions from ruminants’. (Ed. MG Lambert) pp. 81–88. (New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre: Palmerston North, New Zealand)
