STSM: Proxies for methane emissions to be used for genetic evaluations

My name is Mevlüt Günal and I am a lecturer at Department of Animal Science-Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. My research area covers rumen fermentation and its nutritional management. In two last years, my studies focus on the methods for measurement of methane emission.

With the support of METHAGENE COST Action-FA1302 I had a chance to visit Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Hillsborough, County Down UK for 3 months. The main goal of my STSM was to learn and practice all the activities related to the effects of dietary inclusion of white clover on enteric methane emissions of lactating dairy cows in a zero grazing study and also evaluate milk and faeces MIR (mid-infrared) estimates of methane emissions using respiration calorimeter measurements. During my STSM I joined the experiment of Dr.Tianhai Yan’s PhD student in Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. The experiment was a complete change over study with 3 periods (24 days/period). During each period, nine lactating Holstein dairy cows (3 group of 3 animal) were housed in cubicle accommodation for the first 16 days, digestibility stalls for the next 5 days and calorimeter chambers for the final 3 days. Feed intake, milk production and faeces and urine outputs were recorded in the fınal 6 days and methane output and heat production measured during the final 2 days. Live weight and body condition score were measured weekly. The collected data will be analysed for MIR estimates. After analysis, we aim to publish them in the future. I would like to say, I am very happy I could be a part of group of Dr. Yan for this Short Term Scientific Mission. Also I am very grateful for the support by METHAGENE COST action that enabled me this stay at AFBI- Hillsborough.