Rumen fluid from 6 cannulated Angus crossbred steers (experimental unit) was utilized to assess CH₄ production and other ruminal fermentation parameters, such as gas production, pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen, and in vitro organic matter digestibility under controlled laboratory conditions via the ex vivo model. To determine the effects of SCFP supplementation in vivo, rumen fluid from each steer was collected over a 24 h period to evaluate the dynamics of ruminal fermentation, and feed and fecal samples were collected to estimate the in vivo apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. Supplementation of SCFP resulted in no differences in CH₄ production or other fermentation parameters using the ex vivo model; however, differences in total and individual VFA concentrations were observed in vivo. Intake was not affected by supplementation of SCFP, yet an increase in apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients was observed. Alterations in the in vivo ruminal fermentation parameters and nutrient digestibility resulting from supplementation of SCFP may indicate improvements in energy efficiency and animal performance, potentially leading to a reduction in CH₄ emissions per unit of feed intake.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.