Scientists, industry professionals and others within the international dairy science community gathered in Kansas City June 19-22 for the American Dairy Science Association’s (ADSA) first in-person annual meeting since 2019. Several sessions were offered virtually for attendees unable to travel to Kansas City. Nearly 1,600 people attended the annual meeting either in person or virtually.
The meeting began early for undergraduate students participating in the Student Affiliate Division (SAD) activities on June 18, followed by quiz bowl competitions, a business meeting and mid-day mixer for the students on June 19. The undergraduate students later presented research posters and oral presentations; participated in yearbook, scrapbook and chapter website contests; and met with industry professionals to learn about careers in the dairy industry during the career round table event. New national officers were elected, and the SAD membership voted to change the name to Undergraduate Student Division.
Graduate students also had a full schedule of competitions, meetings and events. For a recap, see (Dairy science graduate students gather to share research, build relationships at ADSA annual meeting).
The meeting kicked off with the opening session on June 19, followed by an opening reception. Jerry Bowman took the helm as executive director in September 2021 and has worked with the board of directors on a new strategic plan focused on the next three years.
The mornings of June 20-22 began with two hours of poster presentations where researchers shared their findings. Attendees enjoyed coffee and pastries while they visited with those presenting and with exhibitors.
Scientific sessions and symposia were presented on topics related to dairy foods and dairy production to share the latest research in dairy science in breeding and genetics, animal health, grazing, on-farm labor, reproduction, lactation biology, consumer trends, physiology, endocrinology, ruminant nutrition, animal behavior and well-being, automated milking and extension.
Camaraderie was a theme throughout the week, and some attendees started July 21 early with a fun run. That evening concluded with the ADSA awards dinner for award winners and the annual ice cream social.
Environmental sustainability was a prevalent theme during poster and oral presentations this year. Here is a recap of a few of the sustainability-related research posters presented at ADSA this year.
‘In vitro evaluation of enteric methane mitigation strategies: A meta-analysis’ presented by L.F. Martins, Pennsylvania State University
Martins and a team of researchers highlighted a meta-analysis based on 362 studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1981 and 2018 to investigate the efficacy of enteric methane mitigation strategies in vitro. The poster presentation highlighted 17 of the 76 mitigation strategies, and response variables included methane emission, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, dry matter digestibility (DMD) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD). In conclusion, bacteriocins was the only strategy that mitigated methane emissions while increasing VFA concentration and DMD in vitro. Martins said this is not something readily available yet, but will be a solution producers should keep an eye on over the next few years as the dairy industry works to become greenhouse gas neutral by 2050.
‘Optimizing diets for metabolizable methionine may reduce dairy environmental impact’ presented by D. Militello, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
The objective of Militello’s study was to evaluate cradle-to-farmgate environmental performance of dairy production using life cycle analysis (LCA) by comparing a standard commercial diet to a theoretical methionine-balanced diet formulated by substituting mainly soybean meal with cereal, according to INRA 2007 feeding system. Milk yield, milk protein and fat increased in the methionine-balanced diet. LCA parameters, including housing system and ration, were impacted, and income over feed cost increased by 9.7% with diet optimization. Nitrogen excretion decreased by 7.1%. In conclusion, methionine-balanced diets positively impacted milk quality and production as well as cow health, reproduction and economic sustainability.
‘Effect of supplementation with Bacillus subtilis on rumen fermentation and enteric methane production in vitro’ presented by D.E. Wasson, Pennsylvania State University
Feed additives have been recognized as potential tools for decreasing enteric methane production in ruminants, and an environmental isolate of Bacillus subtilis may act as an inhibitor of methanogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of lyophilized Bacillus subtilis on rumen fermentation and gas production and composition in vitro. Compared to the control, the final pH was linearly decreased by increasing Bacillus subtilis inclusion. Overall, inclusion of Bacillus subtilis decreased gas production by 8% compared with the control. There were no effects on VFA concentration or NDFD. Methane production at 24 hours decreased 25% by inclusion of Bacillus subtilis via decreased gas production. Methane concentration only was decreased by Bacillus subtilis when supplemented at 10 x 10^9 cells. This proprietary environmental isolate of Bacillus subtilis may hold potential to decrease methane emissions in vivo and should be investigated further.
