Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation. |
| Authors: |
Arbaoui, Amira1 (AUTHOR), Gonzalo, Gonzalo2 (AUTHOR), Belanche, Alejandro1 (AUTHOR), de Vega, Antonio1,2 (AUTHOR) avega@unizar.es |
| Source: |
Animals (2076-2615). Mar2025, Vol. 15 Issue 5, p723. 15p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*RUMEN fermentation, *BEEF cattle, *CLIMATE change, *ANIMAL welfare, *CATTLE feeding & feeds, *RUMINANTS, *METHANOGENS, *ANAEROBIC microorganisms |
| Abstract: |
Simple Summary: Enteric methane emissions from ruminants are considered to represent ca. 3.5% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG), and their reduction should be dealt with in order to address the climate emergency. Enteric methane production is lower in animals consuming high-concentrate diets than in those fed high-forage diets, and mixing the components of the diet (forage and concentrate) instead of offering them separately has been claimed to reduce GHG emissions. On these grounds, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of using a total mixed ration (TMR), compared to distributing the concentrate and the forage separately, on the productive performance of beef cattle fed high-concentrate diets and on rumen fermentation characteristics, including methane production. Generally speaking, the feeding system had not a significant effect on the productive performance of the animals or on rumen fermentation characteristics. Hence, the administration of TMR diets to feedlot beef cattle vs. offering the components (forage and concentrate) separately does not seem to alleviate the emissions of enteric methane. This study assessed the effects of using a total mixed ration (TMR), compared to distributing the concentrate and the forage separately, on the productive performance of beef cattle fed high-concentrate diets and on rumen fermentation characteristics, including methane production. Eighteen rumen-fistulated beef calves were fed a concentrate plus pelleted barley straw separately (CS; n = 9) or as TMR (n = 9). Average daily gain and intake of TMR and of straw and concentrate with the CS treatment were recorded. Digestibility was estimated using ashes insoluble in hydrochloric acid as a marker. Rumen liquid and gas samples were obtained, and the abundance of total bacteria, methanogens, protozoa, and anaerobic fungi was analysed. Animals were slaughtered at 500 kg live weight (LW), and dressing percentage and carcass classification were obtained. Another 49 animals for each treatment were used on a commercial farm to exclusively assess animal performance. The treatment (CS or TMR) did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) final LW, average daily gain, carcass dressing percentage, dry matter or digestible organic matter intake, digestibility values, production of methane and carbon dioxide, and abundance of microorganisms in the rumen. However, animals fed TMR had lower rumen pH (5.87 vs. 5.58, p = 0.041 for CS and TMR), suggesting a higher risk of experiencing rumen acidosis than those fed straw and concentrate separately. In conclusion, using a total mixed ration does not seem a suitable strategy to reduce methane production or prevent rumen acidosis in feedlot cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Animals (2076-2615) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Academic Search Complete |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests. |
Login for full access.
|
