Going international: Sharing our cattle research at the EAAP

What did your presentations focus on?

I presented research focused on understanding the relationship between undigestible acid detergent fiber (uADF) and undigestible neutral detergent fiber (uNDF). Overall, our research aims to provide insights that could improve animal diets, enhance productivity and address environmental concerns related to livestock methane emissions.

We found that uADF accounts for a significant portion of uNDF across different forages. Forage type significantly impacts this relationship due to factors like light, water and heat, which all affect fiber cross-linkages and digestibility. 

What feedback did you receive about your work? 

Overall, my work was positively received and I had some very insightful conversations about evaluation methods for fiber digestibility and feed chemistry. 

Olivia Godber: Dairy Sustainability, Nutrient Mass Balances and Greenhouse Gas Footprinting

What did your presentations focus on?

For this conference, I presented on two separate projects. 

My first presentation was on whole-farm nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) balances of medium and large New York dairy farms and common drivers of the balances. My second presentation built on this by quantifying our greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation progress and identifying the future mitigation potential.

The main findings were that strategies to reduce balances and greenhouse gas emissions include careful nutrient management planning and implementation, improved feeding strategies, using cover crops and reducing tillage to sequester carbon, and employing manure management technologies. 

What feedback did you receive about your work?

Overall, the work was positively received. 

It was interesting to hear researchers from some European countries question whether we should be striving for lower P balances, while those from other European countries expressed that they would be very happy to have the P balances we see in New York! 

On the GHG emission side, I received positive feedback that we are recognizing the  importance of taking into account both total emissions per farm and emissions intensity (the emissions per unit of milk produced). Both are important to consider.

What was a major takeaway from this experience?

Fontoura: It was very interesting to notice the similarities between the problems that scientists are trying to solve overseas and in the United States. 

Godber: I agree, especially when it comes to the dairy industry. There is a lot we can learn from each other in terms of scientific advances and implementing effective strategies and policies that reduce the environmental impact of milk production while supporting the livelihood and business of farmers. 

There is a lot we can learn from each other in terms of scientific advances and implementing effective strategies and policies that reduce the environmental impact of milk production while supporting the livelihood and business of farmers. 

What were some memorable presentations you were able to attend at EAAP?

Godber: A very memorable presentation was from an Australian social science research group. They had asked the general public to write “love letters” and “break up letters” with dairy to look at the motives behind individuals’ choices to consume dairy or seek out alternatives. I thought this was a great, fun way to engage consumers and learn more about their views.

I was also able to attend a session on biodiversity and was happy to finally hear about some more feasible approaches to assessing biodiversity on dairy farms using indicators that have more readily available data– this could become useful for us in New York. 

Fontoura: I saw data suggesting that higher temperatures in rumen in vitro cultures led to a shift in the microbial population, increasing methane-producing microbes. 

This is very interesting because if this translates similarly in a live cow, it could potentially result in increased methane emissions due to environmental conditions. To me, this insight hinted at a “snowball effect” related to climate change.

What made this experience stand out from other conferences you’ve attended?

Godber: The variety of sessions available and the engaging discussions that took place after presentations. Everybody was able to look at opportunities to advance their work rather than criticize it. 

The moderators of the sessions I attended were all well known in their fields and added many useful comments and questions. The extended lunch breaks also allowed people to meet up, network and exchange ideas. 

Overall, this was a much more sociable and relaxed, yet productive conference compared to others I have attended.

Fontoura: I agree. I think the broad interdisciplinary approach definitely helped foster some of these rich discussions. 

The opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and a diverse range of topics has energized my perspective and will certainly influence my work moving forward!