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Collaborative project: Mitigation of methane emissions by supplementation of 3-Nitrooxypropanol and variation of dietary concentrate proportions in dairy cow rations. Subproject 1 (MethaNiKuh)
Project
Project code: 281B101416
Contract period: 08.06.2018
- 07.06.2021
Budget: 222,468 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: animal nutrition, cattle, climate, climate relevance, climate protection, climate change, emissions, animal feed, milk, additive
The project investigates the methane emission mitigation potential of the substance 3-nitrooxypropanol (3NOP) and varying concentrate proportions in dairy cows. Methane (CH4) is one of the greenhouse gases relevant for climate change. The conversion of nutrients in the rumen produces hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). These fermentation products are reduced by methanogenic archaea to methane. Additionally to the climate relevant effect the emitted methane is an energy loss for the animal. An increased consumption of fiber rich feedstuffs (grass/ maize silage) compared to diets with increased concentrate proportions results in a decreased methane production. A high concentrate proportion in the diet offers the opportunity to reduce methane emissions. The molecular structure of 3NOP inhibits the enzyme methyl-coenzyme-M reductase, which catalyzes the last step of the methanogenesis. Therefore, in a feeding experiment with dairy cows the methane emissions will be quantified on an animal individual basis. The experiment includes the factors concentrate proportion and 3NOP supplementation and the influence of these factors on methane emissions will be investigated during early lactation. Additionally performance, animal health and variables connected to rumen fermentation and energy metabolism should be investigated. The reduction of methane emissions and energy losses could be counteract the negative energy balance during early lactation and improve the feed conversion ratio and animal health.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal nutrition
- Climate Change
