Increased Milk Yield and Reduced Enteric Methane Concentration on a Commercial Dairy Farm Associated with Dietary Inclusion of Sugarcane Extract (Saccharum officinarum)
by
,
Awais Ahmed
1,
Matthew Flavel
1,2,*,
Shane Mitchell
3,
Gregor Macnab
2,
Manisha Dunuarachchi Dunuarachchige
4,
Aniruddha Desai
4 and
Markandeya Jois
1 
1
Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
2
The Product Makers Bioactive Division, The Product Makers Pty Ltd., Melbourne, VIC 3173, Australia
3
Poly Gain Pte. Ltd., Singapore 138538, Singapore
4
Centre for Technology Infusion, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2023, 13(20), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13203300
Submission received: 4 August 2023
/
Revised: 19 October 2023
/
Accepted: 20 October 2023
/
Published: 23 October 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Control Enteric Methane Production of Ruminants)
Simple Summary
Enteric methane emissions from ruminants have emerged as a major challenge to the global agriculture industry. However, the lack of tools available to commercial farmers to measure and mitigate these emissions is preventing this challenge from being addressed. This study aimed to evaluate natural sugarcane extract’s potential to mitigate these emissions in a commercial dairy environment and assess any impact on milk production and composition. The results of this study indicate a significant increase in milk production, with less methane detected across the herd. Bulk tank somatic cell counts were also reduced indicating improved udder health of cows.
Abstract
(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of a natural sugarcane extract (Polygain™) on milk production, milk composition and methane emissions on a commercial dairy farm. (2) Methods: A three-week baseline was established for lactating Holstein × Friesian animals. Following this baseline period, these animals were fed Polygain™ at 0.25% of their estimated dry matter intake for 3 weeks. Methane concentration in the feed bin was determined at each milking using the Gascard NG Infrared Sensor (Edinburgh Sensors LTD). (3) Results: During the intervention phase milk yield increased significantly from 26.43 kg to 28.54 kg per cow per day, whilst methane emissions and bulk tank somatic cell counts decreased significantly in the intervention phase. For methane concentration, an average of 246 ppm during the baseline periods reduced to an average of 161.09 ppm during the intervention phase. For the bulk tank somatic cell counts, the average was observed at 283,200 during the baseline and reduced to an average value of 151,100 during the intervention phase. (4) Conclusions: The natural sugarcane extract was shown to have the potential to mitigate enteric methane emissions while also increasing production and animal wellbeing outcomes in a commercial dairy setting.
Keywords:
methane; milk yield; polyphenols; sugar cane; mastitis
