The effect of a Pine Tree Energy Supplement on Methane release by Lactating cows

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a pine tree energy supplement based on forest processing on milk productivity, milk quality, and methane emission by cows. The studies were carried out in production conditions on two groups of black-and-white cows (10 heads each) after calving. The cows of the control group received a basic diet which included haylage of perennial grasses, corn silage, legume hay, compound feed, and molasses. The cows of the experimental group, in addition to the basic diet, received a pine tree energy supplement at a dose of 150 g/head per day. The inclusion of a pine tree energy supplement in the diet of cows at the beginning of lactation led to an increase in the average daily milk yields with the natural fat content by 11.9-12.2% while reducing feed costs per unit of output. The feed supplement in the diet led to a decrease in methane emissions from cows; in the control group of cows, the maximum amount of methane was 446.6 liters per day, whereas in the experimental group it equaled 333.84 liters or 33.0% less. At the same time, the conditional net income from the use of the PTES amounted to 2,617.6 rubles for the period of the experiment per animal.