Phenotypic association among performance, feed efficiency and methane emission traits in Nellore cattle

Author(s):Show less -

Sakamoto, Leandro Sannomiya ^[1] ; Souza, Luana Lelis ^{[2, 1]} ; Gianvecchio, Sarah Bernardes ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Matheus Henrique Vargas ^[3] ; Silva, Josineudson Augusto I. I. de Vasconcelos ^[3] ; Canesin, Roberta Carrilho ^[1] ; Branco, Renata Helena ^[1] ; Baccan, Melissa ^[4] ; Berndt, Alexandre ^[5] ; de Albuquerque, Lucia Galvao ^[2] ; Mercadante, Maria Eugenia Zerlotti ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Anim Sci, Beef Cattle Res Ctr, Sertaozinho, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ Unesp, Sch Agr & Veterinarian Sci, Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci FMVZ, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[4] Embrapa Environm, Jaguariuna, SP - Brazil

^[5] Embrapa Southeast Livestock, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 16, n. 10 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Enteric methane (CH4) emissions are a natural process in ruminants and can result in up to 12% of energy losses. Hence, decreasing enteric CH4 production constitutes an important step towards improving the feed efficiency of Brazilian cattle herds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between performance, residual feed intake (RFI), and enteric CH4 emission in growing Nellore cattle (Bos indicus). Performance, RFI and CH4 emission data were obtained from 489 animals participating in selection programs (mid-test age and body weight: 414 +/- 159 days and 356 +/- 135 kg, respectively) that were evaluated in 12 performance tests carried out in individual pens (n = 95) or collective paddocks (n = 394) equipped with electronic feed bunks. The sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique was used to measure daily CH4 emissions. The following variables were estimated: CH4 emission rate (g/day), residual methane emission and emission expressed per mid-test body weight, metabolic body weight, dry matter intake (CH4/DMI), average daily gain, and ingested gross energy (CH4/GE). Animals classified as negative RFI (RFI<0), i.e., more efficient animals, consumed less dry matter (P .0001) and emitted less g CH4/day (P = 0.0022) than positive RFI animals (RFI>0). Nonetheless, more efficient animals emitted more CH4/DMI and CH4/GE (P < 0.0001), suggesting that the difference in daily intake between animals is a determinant factor for the difference in daily enteric CH4 emissions. In addition, animals classified as negative RFI emitted less CH4 per kg mid-test weight and metabolic weight (P = 0.0096 and P = 0.0033, respectively), i.e., most efficient animals could emit less CH4 per kg of carcass. In conclusion, more efficient animals produced less methane when expressed as g/day and per kg mid-test weight than less efficient animals, suggesting lower emissions per kg of carcass produced. However, it is not possible to state that feed efficiency has a direct effect on enteric CH4 emissions since emissions per kg of consumed dry matter and the percentage of gross energy lost as CH4 are higher for more efficient animals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/17313-5 - Enteric methane emission, feed efficiency and digestibility of Nellore cattle
• Grantee: Leandro Sannomiya Sakamoto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/50339-5 - Institutional research development plan of the Animal Science Institute (PDIp)
• Grantee: Lenira El Faro Zadra
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - State Research Institutes Modernization Program
• FAPESP's process: 19/11738-7 - Phenotypic, genetic correlations and genomic wide association between feed efficiency and enteric methane emission of Nellore cattle
• Grantee: Luana Lelis Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/10630-2 - Genetic aspects of meat production quality, efficiency and sustainability in Nelore breed animals
• Grantee: Lucia Galvão de Albuquerque
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants