Effects of sodium monensin and a tannin–yeast blend on intake, milk yield, and methane emissions in lactating holstein cows.

PIUZANA, L. G.; TOMICH, T. R.; ROTTA, P. P.; CARVALHO, D.; AMORIM, W. P. F.; SILVA, L. H. R.; VIEIRA, J. V. F.; RIBEIRO, E. F.; SILVA, A. L. da

Effects of sodium monensin and a tannin–yeast blend on intake, milk yield, and methane emissions in lactating holstein cows.

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Descripción

This study evaluated the effects of sodium monensin or a blend containing condensed tannins and yeast products on intake, digestibility, performance, and methane emissions in lactating Holstein cows. Nine cows (three rumen-fistulated and six non-fistulated) were assigned to three 3 × 3 Latin squares. The treatments were: a control (CON), sodium monensin (MON; 12 mg/kg of dry matter [DM]), condensed Acacia tannins and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast blend (SUP; 2 g/kg of DM). The trial lasted 84 days, with three 28-day periods. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was higher in CON and SUP (p = 0.029). Milk yield, energy-corrected milk, and milk composition did not differ (p > 0.05). The total methane emissions were not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). Methane yield/Kg of DM intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), and digestible OM tended to be lower in SUP (p = 0.091, p = 0.093, p = 0.086). SUP increased the DM, crude protein (CP), and NDF ingestion rates (p = 0.049, p = 0.028, p = 0.013) and decreased the CP rumen pool (p = 0.014). Rumen pH tended to be higher in SUP (p = 0.067). The potentially digestible NDF digestion rate decreased in MON (p = 0.007). Finally, SUP-treated animals showed a tendency to reduce their methane yield relative to DMI, OMI, and digestible OM. Further studies should investigate the long-term impacts of supplementation, rumen microbiome changes, and underlying mechanisms driving methane mitigation.