Cactus Cladodes Opuntia or Nopalea and By-Product of Low Nutritional Value as Solutions to Forage Shortages in Semiarid Areas

Simple Summary In the different livestock production systems, forage is the main feed resource. However, the availability and quality of the forage fluctuate throughout the year due to variable environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, location, or lack of rainfall. In semiarid regions, this fact is even more critical. The option for forage plants adapted to the semiarid climate, such as cactus cladodes, becomes indispensable for the sustainability of the systems. Nonetheless, it is necessary to combine the cactus with high-fiber-content feeds (silage, hay, and agroindustry residues, among others) to increase fiber contents in the diet to promote ideal rumen conditions. Based on the knowledge that cactus cladodes (Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp.) are one of the most viable crops in semiarid regions, the association with a by-product rich in NDF proves to be a more feasible alternative in terms of price and availability, with the producer making the final decision. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the cactus cladodes Nopalea cochenillifera (L). Salm-Dyck. (NUB) and cactus cladodes Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. (OUB), both combined with sugarcane bagasse (SB) plus urea, Tifton hay (TH), corn silage (CS), and sorghum silage (SS) plus urea on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal dynamics, and parameters. Five male sheep, fistulated in the rumen, were assigned in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. The NUB provided a higher intake of dry matter (DM) and any nutrients than SS. TH provided larger pools of DM and iNDF. The OUB and CS provided a higher DM degradation. CS provided a higher NDF degradation rate. OUB provided a lower ruminal pH. Depending on the collection time, the lowest pH value was estimated at 3.79 h after the morning feeding. There was an interaction between treatments and collection time on VFA concentrations. Due to the high degradation rate, greater energy intake, less change in rumen pH, greater volatile fatty acid production, and feasibility, we recommend using cactus associated with sugarcane bagasse plus urea in sheep diets

In Vitro Evaluation of Different Dietary Methane Mitigation Strategies

We assessed and ranked different dietary strategies for mitigating methane (CH4) emissions and other fermentation parameters, using an automated gas system in two in vitro experiments. In experiment 1, a wide range of dietary CH4 mitigation strategies was tested. In experiment 2, the two most promising CH4 inhibitory compounds from experiment 1 were tested in a dose-response study. In experiment 1, the chemical compounds 2-nitroethanol, nitrate, propynoic acid, p-coumaric acid, bromoform, and Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT) decreased predicted in vivo CH4 production (1.30, 21.3, 13.9, 24.2, 2.00, and 0.20 mL/g DM, respectively) compared with the control diet (38.7 mL/g DM). The 2-nitroethanol and AT treatments had lower molar proportions of acetate and higher molar proportions of propionate and butyrate compared with the control diet. In experiment 2, predicted in vivo CH4 production decreased curvilinearly, molar proportions of acetate decreased, and propionate and butyrate proportions increased curvilinearly with increased levels of AT and 2-nitroethanol. Thus 2-nitroethanol and AT were the most efficient strategies to reduce CH4 emissions in vitro, and AT inclusion additionally showed a strong dose-dependent CH4 mitigating effect, with the least impact on rumen fermentation parameters

Enteric and fecal methane emissions from dairy cows fed grass or corn silage diets supplemented with rapeseed oil

This study evaluated potential trade-offs between enteric methane (CH4) emissions and CH4 emissions from feces of dairy cows fed grass silage or partial replacement of grass silage with corn silage, both with and without supplementation with rapeseed oil. Measured data for eight dairy cows (two blocks) included in a production trial were analyzed. The cows were assigned to a 4 x 4 Latin square design, with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments and 28-d periods. Dietary treatments were: grass silage (GS), GS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GS-RSO), GS plus corn silage (GSCS), and GSCS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GSCS-RSO). Enteric CH4 emissions were measured by the GreenFeed system. Data from the last 10 days of each period were used for CH4 and for feed intake. Feces samples were collected after each period and incubated for 9 weeks to estimate fecal CH4 emissions. Including RSO in the diet decreased dry matter intake (DMI) by 1.75 kg/d, while partial replacement of grass silage by corn silage tended to reduce DMI by 1.2 kg/d. Enteric CH4 emissions were reduced by inclusion of RSO in the diet (on average 473 vs. 607 L/d). Microbial analysis showed no differences in Archaea abundance in cow feces, regardless of forage type or RSO supplementation. In 9-week incubations, there was a trend for lower CH4 emissions from feces of cows fed diets supplemented with RSO (on average 3.45 L/kg DM) than cows with diets not supplemented with RSO (3.84 L/kg DM). However, fecal total CH4 emissions (L/d) did not differ between the diets. Total CH4 emissions (enteric + feces, L/d) were significantly lower for the cows fed diets supplemented with RSO. Thus partial replacement of GS by CS supplemented with RSO reduced DMI, and consequently enteric CH4 emissions, in dairy cows. Total fecal CH4 emissions were similar between treatments, indicating no trade-offs between enteric and fecal CH4 emissions

Enteric and fecal methane emissions from dairy cows fed grass or corn silage diets supplemented with rapeseed oil

This study evaluated potential trade‐offs between enteric methane (CH4) emissions and CH4 emissions from feces of dairy cows fed grass silage or partial replacement of grass silage with corn silage, both with and without supplementation of rapeseed oil. Measured data for eight dairy cows (two blocks) included in a production trial were analyzed. Dietary treatments were grass silage (GS), GS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GS‐RSO), GS plus corn silage (GSCS), and GSCS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GSCS‐RSO). Feces samples were collected after each period and incu-bated for nine weeks to estimate fecal CH4 emissions. Including RSO (0.5 kg/d) in the diet decreased dry matter intake (DMI) by 1.75 kg/d. Enteric CH4 emissions were reduced by inclusion of RSO in the diet (on average 473 vs. 607 L/d). In 9‐week incubations, there was a trend for lower CH4 emissions from feces of cows fed diets supplemented with RSO (on average 3.45 L/kg DM) than cows with diets not supplemented with RSO (3.84 L/kg DM). Total CH4 emissions (enteric + feces, L/d) were significantly lower for the cows fed diets supplemented with RSO. Total fecal CH4 emissions were similar between treatments, indicating no trade‐offs between enteric and fecal CH4 emissions

Enteric and fecal methane emissions from dairy cows fed grass or corn silage diets supplemented with rapeseed oil

This study evaluated potential trade-offs between enteric methane (CH4) emissions and CH4 emissions from feces of dairy cows fed grass silage or partial replacement of grass silage with corn silage, both with and without supplementation with rapeseed oil. Measured data for eight dairy cows (two blocks) included in a production trial were analyzed. The cows were assigned to a 4 x 4 Latin square design, with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments and 28-d periods. Dietary treatments were: grass silage (GS), GS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GS-RSO), GS plus corn silage (GSCS), and GSCS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GSCS-RSO). Enteric CH4 emissions were measured by the GreenFeed system. Data from the last 10 days of each period were used for CH4 and for feed intake. Feces samples were collected after each period and incubated for 9 weeks to estimate fecal CH4 emissions. Including RSO in the diet decreased dry matter intake (DMI) by 1.75 kg/d, while partial replacement of grass silage by corn silage tended to reduce DMI by 1.2 kg/d. Enteric CH4 emissions were reduced by inclusion of RSO in the diet (on average 473 vs. 607 L/d). Microbial analysis showed no differences in Archaea abundance in cow feces, regardless of forage type or RSO supplementation. In 9-week incubations, there was a trend for lower CH4 emissions from feces of cows fed diets supplemented with RSO (on average 3.45 L/kg DM) than cows with diets not supplemented with RSO (3.84 L/kg DM). However, fecal total CH4 emissions (L/d) did not differ between the diets. Total CH4 emissions (enteric + feces, L/d) were significantly lower for the cows fed diets supplemented with RSO. Thus partial replacement of GS by CS supplemented with RSO reduced DMI, and consequently enteric CH4 emissions, in dairy cows. Total fecal CH4 emissions were similar between treatments, indicating no trade-offs between enteric and fecal CH4 emissions

Effect of replacement of grass silage with maize silage on milk production and methane emissions by dairy cows fed diets with or without rapeseed oil supplementation

The inclusion of maize silage and oilseeds in dairy cattle diets has been reported, separately, to decrease enteric methane (CH4) emissions. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the partial replacement of grass silage with maize silage on milk production and CH4 emissions by dairy cows fed diets with or without rapeseed oil supplementation. Twenty Nordic Red cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 71 ± 37.2 days in milk and 34.2 ± 5.26 kg milk/d pretrial were blocked by parity and milk yield (MY) and assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square designed with four 28 d periods consisting of14 d of adaptation and 14 d of sampling and data recording. Dietary treatments were in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement and were grass silage (GS), GS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GSO), GS plus maize silage (GSMS), and GSMS supplemented with rapeseed oil (GSMSO). The diets were fed ad libitum as total mixed ratios and CH4 production was measured daily using the GreenFeed emissions monitoring system (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA). The partial replacement of GS with MS decreased the total dry matter (DM) and nutrients intake, MY, energy-corrected milk (ECM), yields of milk components, and nutrients digestibility, but without impairing the daily CH4 emissions or CH4 yield. The MS in diet did not alter the archaea ruminal and discretely affected the bacteria ruminal population. The rapeseed oil supplementation decreased total DM and nutrients intake, ECM, composition and yields of fat and protein, milk urea nitrogen, and nutrients digestibility excepted for crude protein. Further, the rapeseed oil in the diets decreased the daily CH4 emissions, yield and intensity, while increased Methanobrevibacter and altered the relative abundance of bacteria ruminal population. In conclusion, the forage type did not alter methane, but 4 g/kg DM of rapeseed oil in the diet to dairy cows reduced CH4 emissions by 22.5%

Miuda (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck)-The Best Forage Cactus Genotype for Feeding Lactating Dairy Cows in Semiarid Regions

Simple Summary The usage of forage cactus is essential for the maintenance of livestock activity in semiarid regions as an alternative to conventional crops. Cactaceae have adaptive characteristics that ensure their development progress under drought conditions. Four genotypes of forage cactus (Gigante, Miuda, IPA Sertania, and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) were fed to lactating dairy cows and the diets were then evaluated based on animal performance, milk fatty acid profile, and microbial protein synthesis. Miuda forage cactus led to a higher nutrient intake and milk yield, as well as greater microbial protein synthesis. Higher saturated fatty acids were observed when the Gigante and IPA Sertania forage cactus genotypes were fed to dairy cows. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana forage cactus caused lower milk yield along with protein yields and content; however, it improved the milk fatty acid profile by promoting a higher ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids and desirable fatty acids. It is concluded that the Miuda forage cactus is the genotype most suitable for the diets of lactating dairy cows. This study aimed to investigate the effects on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield (MY) and composition, milk fatty acids profile, and microbial protein synthesis caused by feeding lactating dairy cows four different forage cactus genotypes. Eight Girolando cows (5/8 Holstein x 3/8 Gyr), weighing 490 +/- 69.0 kg (means +/- standard deviation), and producing 15.5 +/- 1.0 kg/d of milk during pretrial were distributed to two contemporaneous 4 x 4 Latin squares. The cows were fed a total mixed ration composed of sorghum silage (385 g/kg of dry matter (DM)), concentrated mix (175 g/kg DM), and forage cactus (440 g/kg DM). The experimental treatments consisted of different cactus genotypes, such as Gigante cactus (GC), Miuda cactus (MC), IPA Sertania cactus (SC), and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana cactus (OEMC). The feeding of MC provided a higher intake of DM, organic matter (OM), and total digestible nutrients, as well as higher MY, energy-corrected milk, and microbial protein synthesis in comparison with those resulting from the other genotypes tested. The GC promoted lower DM and OM, and the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. The cows fed with OEMC showed lower MY and milk protein yield and content, and higher unsaturated over saturated fatty acid ratio in milk. Miuda forage cactus increased nutrient intake, digestibility of DM and OM, and microbial synthesis without impairing the milk fatty acid profile

Effects on rumen microbiome and milk quality of dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet supplemented with the macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis

The objective was to determine the effects on rumen microbiome and milk quality of reducing the methane (CH4) produced from enteric fermentation by the addition of Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT) to the diets of dairy cows. Six Nordic Red cows at 122 +/- 13.7 (mean +/- SD) days in milk, of parity 2.7 +/- 0.52 and producing 36 kg +/- 2.5 kg milk per day at the start of the trial were divided into three blocks by milk yield and assigned to an extra-period Latin-square change-over design comprising two dietary treatments. An extra period of observation was added to the Latin-square change-over design to control for carry-over effects. The dietary treatments were a diet consisting of grass silage and a commercial concentrate mixture (60:40) either not supplemented or supplemented with 0.5% AT on an organic matter intake basis. On average, daily CH4 production, CH4 yield, and CH4 intensity decreased by 60%, 54%, and 58%, respectively, in cows fed the diet supplemented with AT. Furthermore, hydrogen gas emitted by cows fed diets supplemented with AT increased by more than five times compared with cows fed a non-AT-supplemented diet. Feed intake was decreased and milk production altered, reflecting a decreased yield of milk fat in cows fed an AT-supplemented diet, but feed efficiency increased. Rumen fermentation parameters were changed to promote propionate rather than acetate and butyrate fermentation. The most prominent change in milk quality was an increase in bromine and iodine when the diet was supplemented with AT. The reduction in CH4 was associated with a shift from Methanobrevibacter to Methanomethylophilaceae in the archaeal population and a lower relative abundance of Prevotella in the bacterial population. Changes in milk fat odd-numbered and branched-chain fatty acids in the current study of AT supplementation support observed differences in ruminal archaeal and bacterial populations.Peer reviewe

Cactus Cladodes Opuntia or Nopalea and By-Product of Low Nutritional Value as Solutions to Forage Shortages in Semiarid Areas

We aimed to evaluate the effect of the cactus cladodes Nopalea cochenillifera (L). Salm-Dyck. (NUB) and cactus cladodes Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. (OUB), both combined with sugarcane bagasse (SB) plus urea, Tifton hay (TH), corn silage (CS), and sorghum silage (SS) plus urea on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal dynamics, and parameters. Five male sheep, fistulated in the rumen, were assigned in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The NUB provided a higher intake of dry matter (DM) and any nutrients than SS. TH provided larger pools of DM and iNDF. The OUB and CS provided a higher DM degradation. CS provided a higher NDF degradation rate. OUB provided a lower ruminal pH. Depending on the collection time, the lowest pH value was estimated at 3.79 h after the morning feeding. There was an interaction between treatments and collection time on VFA concentrations. Due to the high degradation rate, greater energy intake, less change in rumen pH, greater volatile fatty acid production, and feasibility, we recommend using cactus associated with sugarcane bagasse plus urea in sheep diets