Effects of the inclusion of Brominata on the digestion and performance of dairy cows

Presented by: Isabela Fonseca Carrari
Graduate Student
Marcondes’ Lab

Abstract

Seaweeds are macroalgae species growing in littoral zones, with varying shapes, sizes, and pigmentation, typically classified as brown, red, and green algae. Brominata is an extract a red algae species, Asparagopsis taxiformis. The main use of seaweeds in a dairy cow diet is due to the effect on methane emissions, with a potential to decrease the production of enteric methane by cows. Beef and dairy cattle are responsible for around 15% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of 3 different inclusion levels of Brominata to provide information on the ideal Brominata inclusion rate. Twenty-eight Holstein cows with 30 days in milk will be randomly assigned to one of the four treatments with different inclusion levels of Brominata: 0%, 0.15%, 0.30% and 0.40% on dry matter. The animals will be housed in free-stall barns at Knott Dairy Center and will be individually fed using Callan Gates until 305 days in milk. All cows will be kept in the same pen containing one GreenFeed unit and during visits, enteric gas emissions will be measured. We will analyze milk, feces and urine samples to assess the effects of Brominata in cow’s health and the excretion of bromoform and iodine components in milk. Our hypothesis is that the use of Brominata in the diet decreases the emission of enteric methane without negative effects on health and productive performance of dairy cows. We expect that the amount of iodine and bromoform on milk do not exceed levels considered toxic to humans.