Lower Methane Emissions From Pregnant Dairy Cows

Summary

• The methane output was significantly lower in the group fed Polygain over the previous two weeks.

• The relative abundance of methanogens from fecal microbiome samples was lower in the Polygain group (i.e. less methane-producing microbes)

Trial Design

Thirty-two pregnant dairy cows were split into a control and Polygain treatment group (16 each). For two weeks, cows were fed a 3 kg concentrate mix (control) or concentrate mixed with 100g Polygain. After two weeks, methane concentration was recorded at 11 am and again at 1 pm. Following the 11 am measurement, cattle were fed standard rations.

Faecal microbiome samples were taken and analysed by AGRF (Australian Genome Research Facility) to determine the relative abundance of bacteria.

Results

Methane emissions in the control group grew significantly more than the Polygain group two hours after the initial measurement of methane and feeding.

The faecal samples showed the relative abundance of methanogens was lower in the Polygain group. Methanogens are methane-producing microbes that generate methane.

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