Researchers investigate dairy cow performance
Researchers at Harper Adams University College are partaking in a project, in conjunction with Nottingham University and the Royal Veterinary College, to investigate how to enable cows to make the most from grass.
The project will not only look at nutrition but also aspects relating to behaviour and welfare, as well as monitoring their methane production. Professor Liam Sinclair said: “Dairy cows have been accused of producing a lot of methane, and approximately 8 per cent of their energy intake is lost as this on a daily basis. This represents a loss of feed nutrients that the dairy farmer would rather see be converted into milk.
“We are investigating means of reducing methane production in dairy cows by focussing specifically on nutrition and in this case, grass.”
The study is focussing on high-yielding dairy cows as they cannot take in their required nutrients from grass alone, so need supplementation. The methane production is monitored by a backpack which takes samples of the gas.
Professor Sinclair concluded: “We’re hoping that this research will show the most effective means of including grass in diets so farmers can reduce their feed costs and be more methane aware.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
