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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338585
Title: Increasing the concentration of linolenic acid in diets fed to Jersey cows in late lactation does not affect methane production

Author
item JUDY, J - University Of Nebraska
item Brown-Brandl, Tami
item FERNANDO, S - University Of Nebraska
item KONONOFF, P - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2017
Publication Date: 6/1/2017
Citation: Judy, J.V., Brown-Brandl, T.M., Fernando, S.C., Kononoff, P.J. 2017. Increasing the concentration of linolenic acid in diets fed to Jersey cows in late lactation does not affect methane production [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 100(Supplement 2):113-114.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Oil and fat products has shown to reduce methane, however, limited research compares different fat sources effects on methane production. A study using 8 multiparous (325 ± 17 DIM) (mean ± SD) lactating dairy cows, was conducted to determine effects of feeding canola/tallow vs. extruded byproduct containing flaxseed as a fat source on methane emissions and diet digestibility in late lactation dairy cows. A crossover design with 35 d periods (28 d adaption and 7 d collections) was used to compare two different fat sources. Diets contained about 50:50 forage to concentrate ratio (a corn silage/ alfalfa/brome hay forage mixture) with only the concentrate mixture changing between diets to include either 1) a conventional corn/soybean meal/canola meal with tallow, or 2) a conventional corn/ soybean meal diet with an extruded byproduct containing flaxseed (EXF) as the fat source. Diets were balanced to decrease corn and canola meal and replace them with EXF to increase linolenic acid supply to the rumen. Methane production was measured using indirect calorimetry using the headbox approach. Dry matter intake and milk production were similar (P = 0.26) across treatments (15.4 and 17.3 kg/d for DMI and milk production, respectively). Milk fat and protein were not affected (P = 0.69) by treatment. For methane production, no difference was observed (P = 0.90) for total production (352.0 vs. 349.8 L/d for CM vs. EXF, respectively). Methane production per unit of DMI was not affected (P = 0.34) and averaged 10.5 L/kg. Similarly, methane production per unit of energy corrected milk was not affected (P = 0.30) by fat source and averaged 7.01 L/kg. Heat production was similar (P = 0.98) averaging 21.1 Mcal/d. Digestibility of starch, NDF, CP, DM, OM, Starch, and Ash were not affected (P = 0.22) by diet and averaged 53.6, 73.3, 67.5, and 69.9 for NDF, CP, DM, OM, Starch, and Ash, respectively. Results indicate that fat source may not affect methane emissions or digestibility of the diet. Extruded byproducts containing flaxseed may be a viable option in formulating rations without digestibility.