ARTICLE 74 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE November 2023 Enteric methane emissions from ruminants have emerged as a major challenge to the global agriculture industry. However, the lack of tools available to commercial farmers to measure and mitigate these emissions is preventing this challenge from being addressed. This study aimed to evaluate natural sugarcane extract’s potential to mitigate these emissions in a commercial dairy environment and assess any impact on milk production and composition. The results of this study indicate a significant increase in milk production, with less methane detected across the herd. Bulk tank somatic cell counts were also reduced indicating improved udder health of cows. INCREASED MILK YIELD AND REDUCED ENTERIC METHANE CONCENTRATION WITH DIETARY INCLUSION OF SUGARCANE EXTRACT INTRODUCTION It has been estimated that the total global production of red meat and dairy will need to increase by 76% and 63%, respectively in order to meet the global demand for food by 2050 [1,2]. However, the current contribution of enteric fermentation and manure management contributes 1/3 of anthropogenic methane emissions [3]. Therefore, a new strategy to increase ruminant production whilst decreasing the environmental impact is required. There have been a variety of strategies suggested in order to mitigate enteric methane from ruminants. This has included feed supplements [4,5,6], By Awais Ahmed1, Matthew Flavel1,2,, Shane Mitchell3, Gregor Macnab2, Manisha Dunuarachchi Dunuarachchige4, Aniruddha Desai4 and Markandeya Jois1 1Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University - 2The Product Makers Bioactive Division, The Product Makers Pty Ltd. - 3Poly Gain Pte. Ltd. - 4Centre for Technology Infusion, La Trobe University
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