Publications
New Publication: Meta-Analysis Highlights Benefits of Niacin Supplementation During Lactation
In our recent publication in the Journal of Dairy Science, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis evaluating the effects of niacin supplementation on dairy cow performance. Using data from 41 experiments including 1,992 cows, we found that supplementing with either rumen-unprotected or protected niacin during the lactating period significantly increased dry matter intake, which led to increase in yields of milk and milk components. Interestingly, niacin supplementation during the transition period did not result in performance gains. These findings support the targeted use of niacin during lactation to enhance dairy cow productivity.
New Publication: A sampling method for differentiating breath and ruminal exhaled volatile organic compounds in dairy cows using methane as a marker
We’re thrilled to share the first PhD publication from student Mario Barrientos-Blanco in the Journal of Dairy Science Communications. This milestone work, conducted here at in the Animal Nutrition Group, ETH Zurich, presents a novel sampling method that distinguishes between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exhaled through the breath and those originating from the rumen in dairy cows.
By using methane as a biological marker, the method significantly improves the accuracy of VOC profiling, which is an important step forward in monitoring cow health, metabolism, and feed efficiency. The findings lay a strong foundation for future research in precision livestock farming and metabolic monitoring.