Feed management strategies to reduce methane emissions

Dairy Stream

Innovative feed management strategies could be a part of your plan to reduce methane emissions on the farm. Lead Dairy Scientist Dr. Partha Ray of the Nature Conservancy shares about the 3-year study he is currently involved in to help explore feed management strategies, such as feed additives, to reduce methane in dairy cattle. Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza dives into the topics below with Dr. Ray:

• 2:02: What has been done with the study so far
• 4:23: Walk us through the study and what is being done
• 7:10: What is feed management
• 8:37: Feed management practices being used in the study
• 9:43: About feed additives
• 11:37: How feed additives are fed
• 13:15: Cost with feed additives
• 15:55: What types of feed rations reduce methane
• 20:40: Most interesting finding so far
• 23:40: Research keeping up with net zero goals
• 25:01: How a farm could start a feed management strategy
• 27:11: Balancing feed cost and methane reduction
• 29:35: How does feed management fit into net zero
• 33:18: How farms can participate in the study
• 36:55: Next 10 years of feed management

Special thanks to The Nature Conservancy for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest

• Dr. Partha Ray, lead dairy scientist at The Nature Conservancy
  Dr. Partha Ray is a dairy scientist and a veterinarian with over 10 years of experience working with dairy production stakeholders to develop on-farm and system level solutions to improve dairy production sustainability. Following a B.S. in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry and a M.S. of Veterinary Science, Animal Nutrition in India, he received his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences, Dairy from Virginia Tech.

PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY

If you are a dairy farmer in Wisconsin or Michigan and would like to participate in this study focused on feed management strategies, please contact Alisha Staggs at [email protected]. Additional information on the study can be found here.

This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing [email protected].

Attend Dairy Strong on Jan. 16-18 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to gain firsthand inspiration and discover the challenges and solutions experienced by other farmers when implementing sustainable practices. Gain practical knowledge and motivation to implement practices that will make a positive impact on the environment and farms. Learn more and register at dairystrong.org.