Effects of feeding 3-nitrooxypropanol to lactating dairy cows on methane emissions, animal performance and rumen fermentation

• Author / Creator

  Haisan, Jennifer L

• Methane emissions from ruminants are of great concern as they contribute to greenhouse gasses emitted within the atmosphere. The objective of this research was to evaluate a novel biochemical compound, 3-nitrooxypropanol, on its ability to reduce methane emissions and its impact on animal performance and rumen fermentation when fed to lactating dairy cows. In Study 1, feeding 2,500 mg/d 3-nitrooxypropanol in a 38% forage diet reduced methane emissions by 60% and increased body weight gain. In Study 2, feeding 1,250 and 2,500 mg/d 3-nitrooxypropanol in a 60% forage diet reduced methane emissions by 23 and 37%, respectively, and increased nutrient digestibility. In both studies, feed intake and animal performance were not negatively affected. These findings suggest that 3-nitrooxypropanol can reduce methane emissions from lactating dairy cows without adverse effects.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Dairy cows
  • Methane
  • 3-nitrooxypropanol

• Graduation date

  Fall 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3DB7VX23

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.