Recently, I was invited to participate in a discussion about ruminal physiology and bacteriology. So I will share by paraphrasing my answer to this call.
"I've been involved in similar conversations before and have noticed that many colleagues often prioritize their own agendas.
To make substantial progress in this field, we need to think beyond these traditional circles. Often, science is driven by commercial interests, and scientific institutions rely on funding. This can perpetuate old paradigms.
I'm not immune to this influence or criticize my colleagues for this stand;
However, I believe that continuously monitoring ruminal dCO2 is crucial for improving the sustainability of ruminant farming.
This view contrast with the current main stream understanding of rumen function.
All bacteria, including methanogens, compete for this resource. For instance, in more efficient animals, bacteria favor pathways that avoid decarboxylation, which becomes less advantageous in a high dCO2 environment (see recent research on this topic).
Essentially, efficient ruminants create an environment rich in dCO2, which is ideal for bacterial growth and low CH4 emissions. Understanding why dCO2 has this effect and how to leverage this knowledge is the focus of my research and efforts.
My premise, by optimizing dCO2 conditions, we can encourage bacteria to outcompete methanogens, leading to a significant reduction in CH4 emissions. For instance, Russell's experiments (1998) indirectly demonstrated that this approach can reduce CH4 formation by over 30%.
Additionally, these conditions can enhance the effectiveness of CH4 inhibitors, improving energy production and uptake.
I'm developing a patented system that uses AI and dCO2 sensing to help farmers achieve optimal rumen conditions.
This technology can be particularly beneficial for developing countries where farmers may lack the resources or expertise to manage their livestock effectively.
I believe that by collaborating with your organization, we can make a significant impact on "sustainable ruminant farming".
Similarly I'm eager to participate in this discussion and explore potential avenues for collaboration, however I found that my views will not be accepted broadly without the means to duplicate my work. Hence my focus on developing this tool.
Yours sincerely, "
www.RumenAI.com
#animalhealth #animalnutrition #animalscience #ruminants #veterinary #co2 #precisionagriculture #veterinarymedicine #science #dairyfarming
CEO at Vilomix Holding A/S
2wGreat article - well done: 👍