Impact of essential oils on methane emissions, milk yield, and feed efficiency and resulting influence on the carbon footprint of dairy production systems

Reducing CO emissions is one of the highest priorities in animal production. Regarding methane reduction, feed additives are of growing importance. As shown in a meta-analysis, the use of the essential oil (EO) blend Agolin Ruminant affects methane production per day (− 8.8%), milk yield (+ 4.1%), and feed efficiency (+ 4.4%). Building on these results, the present study investigated the effect of varying individual parameters on the carbon footprint of milk. The environmental and operational management system REPRO was applied to calculate the CO emissions. Calculation of CO emissions include enteric and storage-related CH, storage-, and pasture-related NO as well as direct and indirect energy expenditures. Three feed rations were created, differing in their basic feed components such as grass silage, corn silage, and pasture. Each feed ration was differentiated into three variants: variant 1 CON (no additive), variant 2 EO, and variant 3 (15% reduction of enteric methane compared to CON). Due to the reducing effect of EO on enteric methane production, a reduction potential of up to 6% could be calculated for all rations. Considering other variable parameters, such as the positive effects on ECM yield and feed efficiency, a GHG reduction potential of up to 10% can be achieved for the silage rations and almost 9% for the pasture ration. Modeling showed that indirect methane reduction strategies are important contributors to environmental impacts. Reduction of enteric methane emissions is fundamental, as they account for the largest share of GHG emissions from dairy production.