Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation
This study assessed the effects of using a total mixed ration (TMR), compared to distributing the concentrate and the forage separately, on the productive performance of beef cattle fed high-concentrate diets and on rumen fermentation characteristics, including methane production. Eighteen rumen-fis...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Amira Arbaoui Gonzalo Gonzalo Alejandro Belanche Antonio de Vega |
| author_facet | Amira Arbaoui Gonzalo Gonzalo Alejandro Belanche Antonio de Vega |
| author_sort | Amira Arbaoui |
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| description | This study assessed the effects of using a total mixed ration (TMR), compared to distributing the concentrate and the forage separately, on the productive performance of beef cattle fed high-concentrate diets and on rumen fermentation characteristics, including methane production. Eighteen rumen-fistulated beef calves were fed a concentrate plus pelleted barley straw separately (CS; n = 9) or as TMR (n = 9). Average daily gain and intake of TMR and of straw and concentrate with the CS treatment were recorded. Digestibility was estimated using ashes insoluble in hydrochloric acid as a marker. Rumen liquid and gas samples were obtained, and the abundance of total bacteria, methanogens, protozoa, and anaerobic fungi was analysed. Animals were slaughtered at 500 kg live weight (LW), and dressing percentage and carcass classification were obtained. Another 49 animals for each treatment were used on a commercial farm to exclusively assess animal performance. The treatment (CS or TMR) did not significantly affect (<i>p</i> > 0.05) final LW, average daily gain, carcass dressing percentage, dry matter or digestible organic matter intake, digestibility values, production of methane and carbon dioxide, and abundance of microorganisms in the rumen. However, animals fed TMR had lower rumen pH (5.87 vs. 5.58, <i>p</i> = 0.041 for CS and TMR), suggesting a higher risk of experiencing rumen acidosis than those fed straw and concentrate separately. In conclusion, using a total mixed ration does not seem a suitable strategy to reduce methane production or prevent rumen acidosis in feedlot cattle. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d90f647230954dae82baa3139319e3d92025-08-20T02:52:35ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-03-0115572310.3390/ani15050723Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen FermentationAmira Arbaoui0Gonzalo Gonzalo1Alejandro Belanche2Antonio de Vega3Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainServicio de Experimentación Animal, Universidad de Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainDepartamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainDepartamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainThis study assessed the effects of using a total mixed ration (TMR), compared to distributing the concentrate and the forage separately, on the productive performance of beef cattle fed high-concentrate diets and on rumen fermentation characteristics, including methane production. Eighteen rumen-fistulated beef calves were fed a concentrate plus pelleted barley straw separately (CS; n = 9) or as TMR (n = 9). Average daily gain and intake of TMR and of straw and concentrate with the CS treatment were recorded. Digestibility was estimated using ashes insoluble in hydrochloric acid as a marker. Rumen liquid and gas samples were obtained, and the abundance of total bacteria, methanogens, protozoa, and anaerobic fungi was analysed. Animals were slaughtered at 500 kg live weight (LW), and dressing percentage and carcass classification were obtained. Another 49 animals for each treatment were used on a commercial farm to exclusively assess animal performance. The treatment (CS or TMR) did not significantly affect (<i>p</i> > 0.05) final LW, average daily gain, carcass dressing percentage, dry matter or digestible organic matter intake, digestibility values, production of methane and carbon dioxide, and abundance of microorganisms in the rumen. However, animals fed TMR had lower rumen pH (5.87 vs. 5.58, <i>p</i> = 0.041 for CS and TMR), suggesting a higher risk of experiencing rumen acidosis than those fed straw and concentrate separately. In conclusion, using a total mixed ration does not seem a suitable strategy to reduce methane production or prevent rumen acidosis in feedlot cattle.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/723beef cattletotal mixed rationperformancerumen fermentationmethane |
| spellingShingle | Amira Arbaoui Gonzalo Gonzalo Alejandro Belanche Antonio de Vega Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation Animals beef cattle total mixed ration performance rumen fermentation methane |
| title | Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation |
| title_full | Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation |
| title_fullStr | Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation |
| title_short | Unmixed Diet Versus Total Mixed Ration in Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets: Effects on Methane Emissions, Animal Performance, and Rumen Fermentation |
| title_sort | unmixed diet versus total mixed ration in beef cattle fed high concentrate diets effects on methane emissions animal performance and rumen fermentation |
| topic | beef cattle total mixed ration performance rumen fermentation methane |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/723 |
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