Work

Dietary supplementation with calcium peroxide improves methane mitigation potential of finishing beef cattle

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • The anti-methanogenic potential of calcium peroxide was assessed in beef cattle. • Calcium peroxide reduced methane and hydrogen production when offered twice daily. • Calcium peroxide can be pelleted without affecting its anti-methanogenic potential. • Calcium peroxide reduced nutrient digestibility and volatile fatty acid production. • The effects of calcium peroxide on the rumen microbiome need to be investigated. Calcium peroxide ( CaO 2 ) offers potential as an anti-methanogenic dietary feed material. The compound has been previously assessed in vitro , with methane ( CH 4 ) reductions of > 50% observed. The objective of this study was to assess dietary supplementation of CaO 2 at different inclusion levels and physical formats in a finishing beef system on the effects of animal performance, gaseous emissions, rumen fermentation parameters and digestibility. Seventy-two dairy-beef bulls (465 kg; 16 months of age) were randomly allocated to one of four treatments supplemented with CaO 2 ; in a coarse ration (1) CON (0% CaO 2 ), (2) LO (1.35% CaO 2 ), (3) HI (2.25% CaO 2 ), and in a pellet (4) HP (2.25% CaO 2 ) (n = 18). Animals received their respective treatments for a 77 d finishing period, during which DM intake (American Calan Inc., Northwood, NH), average daily gain ( ADG ), feed efficiency and enteric emissions (GreenFeed emissions monitoring system; C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD) were measured. The finishing diet was isonitrogenous and isoenergetic across the four treatment groups, composed of 60:40 grass silage:concentrate. Silage was offered each morning (0900 h), and concentrates were offered twice daily (0800 and 1500 h). Supplementation of CaO 2 had no effect on final weight ( P = 0.09), ADG ( P = 0.22) or feed efficiency ( P = 0.13). Regarding DM intake, the HI treatment group consumed in the order of 1 kg less than CON ( P < 0.01), while HP did not affect DM intake compared to CON ( P = 0.79). Across treatments, DM intake ranged from 8.43 to 9.57 kg/d, equating to 1.6–1.8% of BW. Daily CH 4 values for the control were 240 g/d, while CaO 2 supplemented diets ranged from 202 to 170 g/d, resulting in daily CH 4 reductions of 16, 29 and 27% for LO, HI and HP, respectively, compared to CON ( P < 0.0001). Additionally, hydrogen was reduced in CaO 2 supplemented animals by 32–36% relative to CON ( P < 0.0001), with a simultaneous reduction in volatile fatty acid production ( P < 0.01) and an increase in propionate concentration ( P < 0.0001). Across all universally accepted CH 4 metrics (yield, intensity, production), the dietary inclusion of CaO 2 whether at a low or high rate, or indeed, through a coarse ration or pelleted format reduced CH 4 in the order of 16–32%. This study also concluded that CaO 2 can successfully endure the pelleting process, therefore, improving ease of delivery if implemented at farm level.

Source: animal

DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101340

Authors: E. Roskam, D.A. Kenny, A.K. Kelly, V. O’Flaherty, S.M. Waters

Institutions: Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, University College Dublin

Language: English

Topic: Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology

Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,900