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Leverage of Essential Oils on Faeces-Based Methane and Biogas Production in Dairy Cows
Currently, there is an ongoing intensive search for solutions that would effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mainly methane) into the environment. From a practical point of view, it is important to reduce methane emissions from cows in such a way as to simultaneously trim emissions from the digestive system and increase its potential production from feces, which is intended as a substrate used in biogas plants. Such a solution would not only lower animal-based methane emissions but would also enable the production of fuel (in chemical form) with a high yield of methane from biogas, which would boost the economic benefits and reduce the use of fossil fuels. We tested the effect of administering an essential oil blend consisting of 5.5% oils and fats on methane and biogas production from dairy cow feces during fermentation. Three subsequent series (control and experimental) were conducted in dairy cows fed a total mixed ration (TMR) rich in brewer’s cereals and beet pulp, with 20% dry matter (DM) of the total diet. Cows from the experimental group received 20 g/cow/day of essential oil blend, namely a commercial additive (CA). The study showed that CA can increase the production of methane and biogas from dairy cow feces. It can be concluded that in the experimental groups, approx. 15.2% and 14.4% on a fresh matter basis and 11.7% and 10.9% on a dry matter basis more methane and biogas were generated compared to the control group, respectively. Therefore, it can be assumed that the use of CA in cow nutrition improved dietary digestibility, which increased the efficiency of the use of feces organic matter for biogas production.
Associations between udder and skin cleanliness and somatic cell counts, yield and composition of milk of Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows in the autumn-winter season
The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the cleanliness of the udder and skin of the hind part of body and somatic cell counts in milk as well as milk yield and its composition in Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows in the autumn-winter season. Animals were kept in the freestall cubicle barn with access to a hardened surface outdoor run. In the roofed part the run was regularly bedded with barley straw. In the milking parlour during test milkings each animal was subjected to a visual inspection performed to evaluate the cleanliness status of the udder, the underbelly, tail base, as well as the upper part of the hind limbs and the lower part of the hind limbs. Soiling on the skin with feces in each analysed cow’s body section had a significant effect on the somatic cell counts in milk. Results of this study indicate a greater effect of the cleanliness status of the hind quarters of the udder on the SCC in milk. An increased degree of soiling on the skin in the underbelly, tail base as well as the upper and lower parts of the hind limbs significantly reduced the contents of protein, casein and dry matter in milk.