1. Effects of a Proprietary Kelp Blend Product on Enteric Methane Production and Tissue Residues in Cattle.
- Author
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Altman, Alexander, Vanzant, Eric, Davis, Sydney, Harmon, David, and McLeod, Kyle R.
- Subjects
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CATTLE growth , *BROMOFORM , *GREENHOUSE gas mitigation , *CATTLE feeding & feeds , *DETECTION limit - Abstract
Simple Summary: The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to quantify the suppressive effects of a proprietary bromoform-containing product on bovine enteric methane production after 11 days of supplementation, (2) to map the duration of these effects for up to 9 days post-supplementation, and (3) to investigate whether bromoform is incorporated into the edible tissues of cattle as a result of supplementation in the daily ration for 30 days. Bromoform was supplemented from 0 to 63 ppm of the diet. In this study, supplementing with bromoform product resulted in an approximate 98% reduction of enteric methane production, with reduced methane levels observed across a 9-day post-supplementation period as compared with animals not receiving bromoform. Feed consumption was not affected by bromoform product supplementation, and no bromoform residues were found in fat, organ, or muscle tissue samples collected upon animal harvest. Thus, it was concluded that low-level supplementation of this bromoform-containing product is beneficial in reducing bovine enteric methane production for short-term durations without accumulation of bromoform within organ and edible tissues and with no evidence of effects on animal growth or feed consumption. Three experiments were performed investigating bovine enteric methane (CH4) production inhibition using a proprietary kelp blend product (PKBP) containing a halogenated methane analog (i.e., bromoform). Calves were fed a corn-silage basal diet top-dressed with the assigned treatment, with rations provided at 1.5 × NEm in Experiments 1 and 2 (n = 12 and 6 steers, respectively) and ad libitum in Experiment 3 (n = 9 steers). In Experiment 1, we evaluated bromoform's potency in decreasing CH4. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by treatment (p ≥ 0.11; 0 vs. 52.5 ± 10.5 ppm bromoform), whereas bromoform supplementation decreased CH4 (p < 0.01). In Experiments 2 and 3, treatments were 0, 9.5 ± 1.5, or 20 ± 3 ppm bromoform. In Experiment 2, we examined CH4 recovery following bromoform removal from the ration. Bromoform treatments were fed on d1, but not the subsequent 8 d, to investigate residual effects. On d1, CH4 was below limits of detection for 20 ppm bromoform inclusion. Across days, a cubic response (p < 0.01) was observed with 20 ppm bromoform inclusion, but not with 0 and 9.5 ppm inclusion levels. Experiment 3 (30 d finishing trial) tested bromoform effects on feeder calves. DMI (p = 0.53), average daily gain (p = 0.55), and gain:feed (p = 0.82) were not influenced by bromoform inclusion. Bromoform residues were undetectable in liver, kidney, adipose, and muscle samples collected at harvest. These experiments demonstrated that cattle fed PKBP experience short-term reductions in CH4 without tissue accumulation of bromoform and without evidence of effects on animal growth or feed consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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