The Research Column

To enhance sustainable productivity and mitigate methane (CH4) emissions from ruminants, the adoption of herbs in dairy diets has gained increasing attention. Among these, chicory is considered one of the most promising forage options for grazing livestock due to its nutritional and agronomic benefits.

Increasing ruminal propionate relative to acetate production and alleviating excessive proteolysis are viable strategies for improving efficiency and can be achieved through supplementation of the ionophore monensin.

A balance between the microorganisms in the gut is known to be essential for optimal health, growth, and production. Any disruption of this balance may lead to gastrointestinal disorders, weak immunity, and increased vulnerability to diseases, and which could have lasting consequences for future milk production. For example, diarrhoea during the pre-weaning period can reduce future milk yield.

The production of high-quality milk is key to the economic benefits of the dairy industry. It influences consumer consumption habits, enables the distribution of products to external markets, and reduces loss due to premature spoilage.

Taking the calf away from the mother is common practice in global dairy production systems. This practice is to prevent disease in new-born calves due to pathogens shed by cows, for better control of colostrum management and milk intake, and to maximize milk yield, improve efficiency of milking, prevent intra-udder infections in cows, and minimize separation stress after the bond between cow and calf has been formed.

Knowledge about methane production in the rumen still demonstrates many uncertainties and some information is not irrevocable or not one directional. The status of current results from recent publications referenced below are summarized.

Dairy cows experience negative energy balance (NEB) during the immediate post-calving period due to reduced dry matter intake (DMI) and increased energy demands for milk production.

Globally pasture-based dairy systems (depending on milk production levels) are usually more competitive in temperate climates because they offer consistent profit margins at lower costs than systems that rely more on external supplements.

Automated activity monitoring systems for detection of oestrus have become popular tools due to their acceptable accuracy in detecting oestrus and ovulation.

Direct-fed microbials (DFM) have shown potential to reduce CH4 emissions, enhance feed efficiency, and improve energy utilization in the cow.