Ruminants, such as dairy cows, rely on microbial fermentation to digest forage, a process that releases enteric methane – a significant contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Despite various efforts, success in mitigating these emissions has been limited.
Reducing methane emissions from dairy cows is a persistent challenge for the livestock industry. A new study now highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to help tackle this issue by accurately predicting the effectiveness of methane-reducing feed additives.
Ruminants, such as dairy cows, rely on microbial fermentation to digest forage, a process that releases enteric methane – a significant contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Despite various efforts, success in mitigating these emissions has been limited.
AI Model Development
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Israeli tech firm Metha AI previously developed an AI model that leverages deep microbiome sequencing. The model analyzes rumen microbiota from herd samples to build microbiome networks, identifying biomarkers that indicate how well specific feed additives may reduce methane emissions.
Real-World Validation
The team’s latest study, published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, tested the model in real-world conditions across 13 commercial Holstein dairy farms in Israel. The researchers assessed the performance of an essential oil-based additive, Agolin Ruminant, known for its methane-reducing properties. The additive includes ingredients like coriander seed oil, eugenol, geranyl acetate, and geraniol.
Results and Model Performance
Methane emissions decreased in 11 of the 13 farms, with reductions ranging from 0.1% to 19% and an average drop of 9.86%. Two farms showed a slight increase of 1.1%. The AI model accurately predicted the emission changes on each site, including locations where changes were minimal.
Implications for Sustainable Dairy Farming
The study confirms the model’s reliability and potential as a decision-support tool in precision agriculture. By enabling targeted use of feed additives, AI can play a crucial role in advancing environmentally sustainable dairy production practices.
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