Effect of Feeding Bean Sprout Residues to Cows on Ruminal Gas Production

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the ruminal properties and gas production of cows fed bean sprout residue. Six Holstein cows (average age 24.8 ± 1.0 months) were used and divided into two groups: one that was fed bean sprout residue and one that was not fed bean sprout residue. Three cows were placed in each group in a 2 × 2 crossover design. In the bean sprout residue feeding group, each cow was given 4 kg of raw bean sprout residue in two separate feedings per day, in the morning and in the evening. The survey items were ruminal pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, protozoa number, and ruminal gas production, and differences in these items were examined between groups. No significant differences were observed between the groups for any detected VFA concentration. No significant difference was observed in ruminal pH between the groups. The number of protozoa tended to be higher in the bean sprout residue group (p < 0.10). The ruminal methane production was significantly lower in the bean sprout residue-fed group than in the control group (p < 0.01). These results suggest that feeding bean sprout residue may be able to reduce methane emissions without affecting the production of VFAs.