Abstract
Simple SummaryThe inclusion of whole oilseeds in the diets of ruminants can be a useful strategy for reducing methane emissions and improving milk quality. This study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of whole hemp seeds or linseeds in the diet of dairy goats. The results showed that neither seed caused a reduction in methane emission or an increase in milk yield, but both seeds improved the milk quality in terms of fatty acid composition.The effect of whole linseeds or hemp seeds on milk production, energy and nitrogen balance, and methane emission was studied in 12 Alpine goats using respiration chambers. Diets tested were a control diet (C) and two diets supplemented with whole linseeds (L) or hemp seeds (H) at 9.3% on a dry matter (DM) basis. DM intake was similar among treatments, whereas DM and organic matter digestibility were lower for L compared to C. Milk yield (2.30 kg/d on average) and rumen fermentation profile were not affected by treatments. Treatment also did not affect the milk composition, with the exception of fat, which was higher in H and L compared to C (4.21, 3.94, and 3.20%, respectively). Oilseed supplementation caused a reduction in the concentration of de novo fatty acids (FA) (41.1, 48.8, and 64.1% of FA, for L, H, and C, respectively). Moreover, L and H diets reduced the sum of saturated FA, and increased monounsaturated FA, whereas only the L diet increased the concentration of polyunsaturated FA. Regarding methane production, and nitrogen and energy balances, no differences were registered among the diets. Our research indicates that including whole linseeds and hemp seeds in the dairy goat diet is an effective strategy for increasing milk fat content and positively modifying the milk FA composition, without a change in nitrogen and energy balances, but also without a reduction in enteric methane emission.
Highlights
To the best of our knowledge, no in vivo studies have been conducted to determine the effects of the inclusion of hemp seeds on diet digestibility in ruminants and the results of the present study indicate that hemp seeds, in contrast to linseeds, can partially substitute soybean meal in the ration of lactating goats without any adverse effects on diet digestibility
Milk yield was not affected by oilseed supplementation, in accordance with the results of Chilliard et al [4] in goats fed diets with lipid supplementation. This is consistent with the findings reported by Mele et al [51], who noted that, in goats, the effect of fat addition to the diet in mid lactation increases the milk fat content without an increase in milk yield
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of including whole linseeds and hemp seeds in the diet of dairy goats to increase milk fat content, modify milk fatty acid composition, and reduce methane production
Summary
Feeding animals with sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been of interest to enhance the concentration of beneficial fatty acids (FA) in animal products, n-3 PUFA, associated with positive effects on human health [1]. The physical form of the lipids (i.e., seeds vs oil), the level of inclusion in the diet, and the interaction with other dietary ingredients are among the main factors affecting milk fatty acid composition and concentration [2]. Luna et al [3] showed that feeding both whole linseed and sunflower oil to lactating goats changed the fatty acid composition of milk with a noticeable increase in the secretion of α-linolenic, rumenic, and vaccenic acids. The expected increase in milk fat content due to lipid supplementation could help solve the technological problems of the goat cheese industry related to low milk fat content, especially when the fat content falls below the protein content [4]
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