4.7 Article

Increased Milk Yield and Reduced Enteric Methane Concentration on a Commercial Dairy Farm Associated with Dietary Inclusion of Sugarcane Extract (Saccharum officinarum)

Journal

ANIMALS
Volume 13, Issue 20, Pages -

Publisher

MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ani13203300

Keywords

methane; milk yield; polyphenols; sugar cane; mastitis

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study assessed the influence of a natural sugarcane extract on milk production, methane emissions, and animal wellbeing in a commercial dairy farm. The results showed that the extract increased milk yield, decreased methane emissions, and reduced bulk tank somatic cell counts.
(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of a natural sugarcane extract (Polygain (TM)) on milk production, milk composition and methane emissions on a commercial dairy farm. (2) Methods: A three-week baseline was established for lactating Holstein x Friesian animals. Following this baseline period, these animals were fed Polygain (TM) at 0.25% of their estimated dry matter intake for 3 weeks. Methane concentration in the feed bin was determined at each milking using the Gascard NG Infrared Sensor (Edinburgh Sensors LTD). (3) Results: During the intervention phase milk yield increased significantly from 26.43 kg to 28.54 kg per cow per day, whilst methane emissions and bulk tank somatic cell counts decreased significantly in the intervention phase. For methane concentration, an average of 246 ppm during the baseline periods reduced to an average of 161.09 ppm during the intervention phase. For the bulk tank somatic cell counts, the average was observed at 283,200 during the baseline and reduced to an average value of 151,100 during the intervention phase. (4) Conclusions: The natural sugarcane extract was shown to have the potential to mitigate enteric methane emissions while also increasing production and animal wellbeing outcomes in a commercial dairy setting.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.7
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available