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Impact of Feed Composition on Rumen Microbial Dynamics and Phenotypic Traits in Beef Cattle
André L A Neves1,2, Ricardo Augusto Mendonça Vieira3, Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez4,5
1Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Microorganisms
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Feed composition significantly alters rumen microbial communities in beef cattle. Grain-based diets reduced bacterial and fungal populations, impacting methane emissions but not feed efficiency, showcasing the rumen microbiome's adaptability.
Area of Science:
- Rumen microbiology
- Animal nutrition
- Beef cattle production
Background:
- The rumen microbiome is crucial for ruminant digestion, host performance, and environmental sustainability.
- Understanding how diet influences these microbial communities is key to optimizing cattle production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of forage- versus grain-based diets on rumen microbial abundance and traits in beef cattle.
- To correlate microbial dynamics with feed intake, methane emissions, and feed efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-nine Angus bulls were fed either forage- or grain-based diets in a randomized block design.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to enumerate bacterial, archaeal, fungal, and protozoal populations.
- Methane emissions and feed intake metrics were measured.
Main Results:
- Grain-based diets decreased bacterial and fungal populations compared to forage diets.
- Protozoal and methanogen populations remained stable across diets.
- Microbial abundance correlated with dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake.
- Methane emissions per kg of dry matter intake (DMI) were lower in grain-fed bulls.
- Feed efficiency did not show a direct association with microbial abundance.
Conclusions:
- Dietary shifts induce adaptive changes in the rumen microbiome, with functional redundancy maintaining stability.
- Feed composition influences rumen microbial dynamics and host phenotypes, highlighting the microbiome's flexibility during dietary transitions.
