Abstract
BackgroundLactating dairy cows are the greatest livestock contributor of methane, a major global greenhouse gas (GHG). However, good feeding management with adequate mineral intake can offers an effective approach to maintaining high levels of milk production and the health of dairy cows over the entire course of lactation, while also helping to reduce methane emission. The study described here investigated the plasma concentrations of both macroelements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, P) and microelements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn), as well as enteric methane emission and milk composition in high-yielding dairy cows in different lactation periods. The experiment was performed on Holstein–Friesian dairy cows with the average milk yield of 41 (± 9) L/day in a Polish commercial farm with modern dairy systems. A total of thirty high-yielding dairy cows were randomly assigned into three groups differing by lactation stage: early stage (Early, days 25–100), middle stage (Middle, days 101–250), and late stage (Late, day 250 and later). Dietary treatment for all cows was a total mixture ration (TMR) with maize and alfalfa silage the main forage components.ResultsThe greatest milk yield and methane production were recorded in early-stage lactating cows, but the greatest methane intensity per kg of corrected milk was recorded in the late stage of lactation. Plasma concentrations of macroelements and microelements did not differ by lactation stages, but increased plasma concentrations of Zn and Fe and decreased plasma levels of Mg were noted during lactation. A positive correlation was found between plasma levels of Mg and other macroelements (Ca, Na, K), and between the concentrations of Fe and Zn, P in plasma, but no correlation between methane emission and mineral status was detected in the different lactation stages.ConclusionsOur results showed different mineral requirements and enteric methane emissions in each lactation stage. The feeding strategy and mineral utilization were adequate to maintain the health, mineral status, and milk production of the Holstein cows during the entire lactation period, and suggest an effective way of reducing methane emission.
Highlights
Lactating dairy cows are the greatest livestock contributor of methane, a major global greenhouse gas (GHG)
High-yielding Holstein cows produced the highest milk yield, resulting in high enteric methane emission in the early lactation stage, but the late lactating cows were the greatest contributors to methane emission, taking their milk production into account (CH4 intensity expressed per kg of energy-corrected milk yield)
No interactions were detected between methane emission and mineral status in different lactation stages
Summary
Lactating dairy cows are the greatest livestock contributor of methane, a major global greenhouse gas (GHG). Good feeding management with adequate mineral intake can offers an effective approach to maintaining high levels of milk production and the health of dairy cows over the entire course of lactation, while helping to reduce methane emission. The study described here investigated the plasma concentrations of both macroelements (Ca, Na, K, Mg, P) and microelements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn), as well as enteric methane emission and milk composition in high-yielding dairy cows in different lactation periods. New feeding strategies in the dairy sector, such as the replacement of grass silage with maize silage or increased feeding of concentrates in the total mixture ration (TMR), can alter rumen microbial activity so as to reduce methane output per volume of milk yield [3, 4]. Changes in rumen population—especially in rumen protozoa—can affect the metabolism and bioavailability of minerals; one example of this is the altered sulfur metabolism seen in microbial proteins, which secondarily affects the bioavailability of Cu and other trace minerals [5]
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