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Collaborative project: Biomarkers for ruminal and endogenous N-utilization for the reduction of N-emission - subproject 1 (BlueCow)
Project
Project code: 281B101516
Contract period: 01.07.2018
- 31.08.2021
Budget: 531,598 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: climate change
Nitrogen excreted by cows is a valuable fertilizer, but also contributes to unwanted nutrient enrichment of the environment, as well as to global warming. Whether reduced excretion can be achieved in the short run through better utilization of the protein in the feed or in the long term through breeding measures was subject of the project. As a result, in Germany the annual nitrogen excretion of dairy cows can be reduced by approx. 35,000 metric tons through lower feed protein contents compared to previous standards, without any loss in yield. Cows differ in the easily measurable trait milk urea content. Associated with this there are genetic marker variants and certain types of rumen microbes. However, contrary to what was suspected, differences in milk urea content were not associated with low or high excretion in trials. Therefore, breeding for low milk urea content would have no effect, despite the presence of genetic variation.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Animal nutrition
- Climate Change
