Using fats and combined anti-methanogenic feeding strategies to modulate the dairy microbiome and reduce enteric methane emissions

Abstract

As the Canadian diary industry aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, anti-methanogenic feeding strategies are needed to reduce enteric methane. This research utilized two approaches to investigate how dietary strategies influence rumen microbial communities and fermentation characteristics associated with methanogenesis. Experiment one used a linseed-based product (LP) and a semi-continuous in vitro model to test increasing dietary inclusion levels of LP. Addition of LP did not reduce methane production or alter fermentation dynamics or microbial populations. Experiment two used an in vivo approach to assess the addition of cultivated red seaweed in TMR diets. Seaweed inclusion did not affect rumen pH or overall microbial diversity. However, there were differences in beta diversity and relative abundances. Likewise, methane was reduced with the addition of cultivated seaweed to TMR diet. Using both in vitro and in vivo methods provides insight into how dietary strategies can reduce emissions from the dairy industry.