Variations in methane yield and microbial community profiles in the rumen of dairy cows as they pass through stages of first lactation

Considerable interest exists both from an environmental and economic perspective in reducing methane emissions from agriculture. In ruminants, CH4 is produced by a complex community of microorganisms that is established in early life but can be influenced by external factors such as feed. Although CH4 emissions were thought to be constant once an animal reached maturity, recent studies have shown that CH4 yield significantly increases from early...