Effect of an algae feed additive on reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle

• Published in: Translational animal science 2024, Vol.8, p.txae109
• Main Authors: Colin, Reba L, Sperber, Jessica L, Buse, Kassidy K, Kononoff, Paul J, Watson, Andrea K, Erickson, Galen E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2573-2102; 2573-2102
• DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae109

Abstract Alga 1.0, a product containing bromoform, was fed to cattle to evaluate its effects on methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and diet digestibility. Twelve nonlactating, nonpregnant Jersey cows (490 ± 19 kg body weight) were used in four replicated 3 × 3 Latin squares with three periods, each consisting of 21 d. Cows were blocked by feed intake (averaged intakes over 4 wk prior to trial) and assigned randomly to one of three treatments. Treatments included Alga 1.0 fed at 0, 69, and 103 g/d in a 0.454 kg/d dry matter (DM) top-dress daily in a modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) carrier. Diet consisted of 60% dry-rolled corn, 20% corn silage, 15% modified distillers grains, and 5% supplement (DM basis). Headbox-style indirect calorimeters were utilized to evaluate gas production from individual cows with two nonconsecutive 23-h collections in each period. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with cow within square as experimental unit and as a random effect, and treatment and period as fixed effects. Linear and quadratic contrasts were used to compare treatments. Feeding Alga 1.0 linearly reduced dry matter intake (DMI, P