Progress 04/15/24 to 04/14/25
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this research includes agricultural scientists, livestock producers, environmental scientists, and technology developers. Agricultural scientists and researchers can leverage the findings to enhance livestock management practices and reduce the amount of energy lost as methane during feed digestion in ruminants. Livestock producers, especially those involved in goat farming, will benefit from practical, cost-effective strategies for monitoring and mitigating metabolizable energy loss as methane, ultimately improving productivity and efficiency.Environmental scientists and policymakers can use the data to develop comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing methane emissions. Additionally, technology developers can apply these insights to design and optimize advanced methane detection equipment for on-farm use, promoting greater farm sustainability and profitability. Changes/Problems:Due to supply chain shortages and the wait period for new and improved laser spectrometry methane detection equipment, we experienced a delay in starting the experimental activities. However, this delay has not impacted the overall execution of the project. In fact, it is believed that waiting for the advanced detection equipment will enhance the quality and impact of the research.The advanced technology will provide more accurate and reliable data, making the research even more valuable in understanding and partitioning metabolizable energy to increase production efficiency in small ruminants. This improvement in data quality will significantly contribute to the robustness and applicability of our findings, ultimately benefiting the broader scientific community and industry professionals. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Langston University students and participating personnel gained invaluable hands-on experience and practical knowledge through their involvement in the research project. They actively engaged in various stages of the research process, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This comprehensive involvement significantly deepened their understanding of animal science and nutrition.Moreover, the participants had the unique opportunity to work with advanced technologies such as methane-specific laser spectrometry and cloud data handling. This exposure not only enriched their academic learning but also equipped them with essential skills and knowledge for their future careers in agriculture and research.Overall, this experience was instrumental in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, thereby preparing the students and personnel for successful professional endeavors. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The primary beneficiaries of the dissemination of this research are the students who gained familiarity with modern technology used to estimate and potentially mitigate methane emission in small ruminants. Through this research, they developed a deeper understanding of the practical applications of these technologies in addressing energy metabolism in small ruminants.The findings from this research will be showcased at several events, including the annual American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) meetings in Hollywood, FL, the annual Small Ruminants Conference at Langston University, and the National Goat Conference. These presentations will not only highlight the innovative work conducted but also provide the students with valuable opportunities to engage with the broader scientific community, share their insights, and receive feedback from experts in the field.Overall, this experience has been instrumental in preparing the students for future careers in agriculture, environmental science, and research, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to sustainable solutions for climate change. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The animal experimentation initiated in the current phase will continue and expand to include different breeds, ages, and types of small ruminants. This ongoing research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of methane emissions across various ruminant populations.A key component of this research is the dissemination of findings. Efforts will be made to share the results with the scientific community, industry professionals, and the public. Equally important is the focus on student training. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies and methodologies, enhancing their practical knowledge and preparing them for future careers in agriculture, environmental science, and research.These training opportunities will not only enrich their academic journey but also contribute to the development of skilled professionals capable of addressing sustainability and productivity in small ruminant production.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a laser methane detector (LMD) for measuring methane emissions from growing Spanish goats on different diets. The objectives were to assess a simple and cost-effective method for on-farm methane measurement using a portable LMD and to develop prediction equations for estimating methane production on goat farms. The study involved 36 growing Spanish goats in a 6 × 6 Latin Square design, with six 3-week periods preceded by 2 weeks of adjustment. In Latin Square experiments, each animal undergoes each treatment in different periods, serving as its own control. This design reduces the number of animals needed for statistical power compared to completely randomized designs. The diets, based on six different forages and dietary supplements, were formulated to produce varying levels of methane emissions. During weeks 1 and 2 of each period, the goats were housed individually in 1.23 × 1.23 m pens with elevated, plastic-coated expanded metal floors. In week 3, they were placed in metabolism cages for 5 days to collect feces and urine, followed by 2 days in a respiration calorimetry system to measure oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and heat energy from gas exchange. Methane emissions were also measured using the LMD for 2 days: once in the metabolism cage and once in the calorimetry system. The LMD recorded CH4 emissions every 0.1 seconds, totaling 3000 records per 5-minute measurement, with a 2-minute break between measurements. To fully characterize the dietary effects on methane emissions, the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), and gross energy (GE) was determined for hay, concentrate, and fecal samples according to standard laboratory procedures. Additionally, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were analyzed for hay samples. Urinary energy was estimated based on previous research to determine metabolizable energy (ME). Using a database of 80 treatment means from 466 individual animals across 16 publications, the energy lost through urine was calculated to be approximately 0.54 MJ/day (3.5% GE or 5.2% DE). Recovered energy was calculated as the difference between metabolizable energy intake and heat energy, with heat energy determined using Brouwer's (1965) equation from O2 consumption and CO2 and CH4 production. Prediction equations for estimating methane emissions using the Laser Methane Detector (LMD) are currently under development. The equations being tested involve using the highest measurement values, average values, and the area under the curve. These values are then compared to methane amounts determined through continuous measurements in indirect calorimetry.
Publications
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Progress 04/15/23 to 04/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for findings of this project are animal science researchers using this or similar equipment systems. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate students and a visiting scientist have been working on the project and receiving training in the daily operation, maintenance, and data handling and management. The project has provided opportunities for learning of maintenance, calibration, gases recovery, and control of the indirect calorimetry systems and cloud data transfer and manipulation using Laser Smart analyzer. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Demonstrations and hands of experience for Animal Science undergraduate students. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As discussed above, animal experimentation will start next month.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Because the methane analyzer manufacturer announced a new and improved model, we decided to purchase a new model - Methane Laser Smart analyzer. Due to production delays the purchase was completed 3 months ago. In the meantime, we prepared experimental proposals and organized all the equipment needed complete experiments investigating relation between methane emission measured using indirect calorimetry and Methane Laser Smart analyzer. The indirect calorimetry system was tested, and the animal room was rearranged to accommodate simultaneous measurements using Sable MA 10 and Laser Smart equipment. Currently, initial data is used to determine most appropriate ways to transform output from Methane Laser Smart to achieve most accurate estimates of methane emission.
Publications
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