About the section

Våre sentrale Our central research areas are feed evaluation and optimization, feed technology, development and utilization of new feed raw materials, sustainable utilization of national feed resources, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, microbiota, product quality, as well as indoor management and grazing systems.

We offer research-based teaching in ruminant and horse nutrition, physiology, fodder production, grazing ecology and grazing, milk and meat production, production diseases and reindeer husbandry.

The sectin has access to and uses state-of-the-art research infrastructure to carry out forward-looking research and teaching. The most important research infrastructure for the group is the Metabolism department where we carry out basic in vivo, in vitro and in sacco experiments. The Livestock Production Research Centre and the Center for Feed Technology supply infrastructure for production trials with ruminants and for the production of specific concentrate types for trials, respectively.

Chemical analyzes are performed at LabTek

• Teaching

  Tekst in her

• Collaboration partners

  The section has broad collaboration with other research institutions both nationally and internationally, as well as business partners.

  Research institutions:

  • INRA -French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment
  • Agroscope
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada AAFC
  • Aarhus University
  • University of Copenhagen
  • University of British Columbia
  • Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)
  • Washington State University
  • SLU - Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
  • Nibio
  • Nofima
  • Veterinærinstituttet

  Industrial partners:

  • TINE
  • Felleskjøpet
  • Norgesfôr
  • Fiskå Mølle
  • Geno

• Members

  Leader:

  Members:

• Publications

  Scientific publications 2023

  Metabolic influence of core ciliates within the rumen microbiome

  Andersen, Thea Os; Altshuler, Ianina; Vera-Ponce de León, Arturo; Walter, Juline Marta; McGovern, Emily; Keogh, Kate; Martin, Cécile; Bernard, Laurence; Morgavi, Diego P.; Park, Tansol; Li, Zongjun; Jiang, Yu; Firkins, Jeffrey L.; Yu, Zhongtang; Hvidsten, Torgeir Rhodén; Waters, Sinead M.; Popova, Milka; Arntzen, Magnus Øverlie; Hagen, Live Heldal; Pope, Phillip. The ISME Journal 2023 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-023-01407-y

  Prediction of enteric methane emissions by sheep using an intercontinental database.

  Belanche, A., Hristov, A. N., van Lingen, H. J., Denman, S. E., Kebreab, E., Schwarm, A., Kreuzer, M., Niu, M., Eugène, M., Niderkorn, V., Martin, C., Archimède, H., McGee, M., Reynolds, C. K., Crompton, L. A., Bayat, A. R., Yu, Z., Bannink, A., Dijkstra, J., … Yáñez-Ruiz, D. R. (2023). Journal of Cleaner Production, 384, 135523. 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135523

  Long-Read Metagenomics and CAZyme Discovery

  Ferrillo, Alessandra; Kobel, Carl Mathias; Vera-Ponce de León, Arturo; Leanti La Rosa, Sabina; Kunath, Benoit Josef; Pope, Phillip; Hagen, Live Heldal. Methods in molecular biology 2023 ;Volum 2657. s. 253-284 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3151-5_19

  Nutritional Approaches to Reduce Enteric Methane Emission from Ruminants

  Lind, Vibeke; Schwarm, Angela Dagmar; Mele, Marcello; Cappucci, Alice; Foggi, Giulia; Sizmaz, Özge; Tsiplakou, Eleni; Atzori, Alberto Stanislao; Van Mullem, Joni; Peiren, Nico. I: Technology for Environmentally Friendly Livestock Production. Springer 2023 ISBN 978-3-031-19730-7. s. 65-98 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-19730-7_4

  Inclusion of Red Macroalgae (Asparagopsis taxiformis) in Dairy Cow Diets Modulates Feed Intake, Chewing Activity and Estimated Saliva Secretion

  Nyløy, Emma; Prestløkken, Egil; Eknæs, Margrete; Eikanger, Katrine Sømliøy; Hagen, Live Heldal; Kidane, Alemayehu. Animals 2023 ;Volum 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030489

  Effect of dietary krill oil supplementation on horse red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition and blood parameters.

  Nyquist, Nicole Frost; Burri, Lena; Jensen, Rasmus Bovbjerg. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13828

  Different protein sources in concentrate feed for dairy cows affect cheese-making properties and yield

  Olsen M.A., S. Ferneborg, S.G. Vhile, A. Kidane, S.B. Skeie. Journal of Dairy Science https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22662

  The effect of harvest time of forage on carbohydrate digestion in horses quantified by in vitro and mobile bag techniques

  Stang, Frida Lindskov; Bjerregaard, Rikke; Müller, Cecilia Elisabeth; Ergon, Åshild Gunilla; Halling, Magnus; Thorringer, Nana Wentzel; Kidane, Alemayehu; Jensen, Rasmus Bovbjerg. Journal of Animal Science 2023 ;Volum 101 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac422

  Effect of grassland cutting frequency, species mixture, wilting and fermentation pattern of grass silages on in vitro methane yield

  Weiby, Kim Viggo Paulsen; Krizsan, Sophie Julie; Dønnem, Ingjerd; Østrem, Liv; Eknæs, Margrete; Steinshamn, Håvard. Scientific Reports 2023 ;Volum 13.(1) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31964-3

  Scientific publications 2022

  Methane inhibition by Asparagopsis taxiformis with rumen fluid collected from ventral and central location– a pilot study

  Alvarez C, Andersen TO, Eikanger KS, Hamfjord IW, Niu P, Weiby KV, Årvik L, Dörsch P, Hagen LH, Pope PB, Forberg DK, Hustoft HK, Schwarm A*, Kidane A (2022). Acta Agric Scand A, https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2022.2152196

  High-digestible silages allow low concentrate supply without affecting milk production or methane emission

  Álvarez, C., Nielsen, N.I., Weisbjerg, M.R., Volden. H., Eknæs, M. & Prestløkken, E. (2022). Journal of Dairy Science 105:3633–3647. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-21479

  Full adoption of the most effective strategies to mitigate methane emissions by ruminants can help the 1.5°C target by 2030 but not 2050

  Arndt C, Hristov AN, Price WJ, McClelland SC, Pelaez AM, Cueva SF, Oh J, Dijkstra J, Bannink A, Bayat AR, Crompton LA, Eugene MA, Enahoro D, Kebreab E, Kreuzer M, McGee M, Martin C, Newbold CJ, Reynolds CK, Schwarm A, Shingfield KJ, Veneman JB, Yanez-Ruiz DR, Yu Z (2022) , PNAS, 119: e2111294119, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2111294119

  Feeding of palm oil fatty acids or rapeseed oil throughout lactation: Effects on mammary gene expression and milk production in Norwegian dairy goats

  Bernard, L., Chilliard, Y., Hove, K., Volden, H., Inglingstad, R.A., Eknæs M. (2022). Journal of Dairy Science 105, 8792-8805. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-21372

  Prediction of nitrogen excretion from data on dairy cows fed a wide range of diets compiled in an intercontinental database: A meta-analysis

  Bougouin A, A. Hristov, J. Dijkstra, M.J. Aguerre, S. Ahvenjärvi, C. Arndt, A. Bannink, A.R. Bayat, C. Benchaar, T. Boland, W.E. Brown, L.A. Crompton, F. Dehareng, I. Dufrasne, M. Eugène, E. Froidmont, S. van Gastelen, P.C. Garnsworthy, A. Halmemies-Beauchet-Filleau, S. Herremans, P. Huhtanen, M. Johansen, A. Kidane, M. Kreuzer, B. Kuhla, F. Lessire, P. Lund, E.M.K. Minnée, C. Muñoz, M. Niu, P. Nozière, D. Pacheco, E. Prestløkken, C.K. Reynolds, A. Schwarm, J.W. Spek, M. Terranova, A. Vanhatalo, M.A. Wattiaux, M.R. Weisbjerg, D.R. Yáñez-Ruiz, Z. Yu and E. Kebreab (2022). Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-20885

  Seaweed Inclusion in Finishing Lamb Diet Promotes Changes in Micronutrient Content and Flavour-Related Compounds of Raw Meat and Dry-Cured Leg (Fenalår)

  Grabež V , Elena Coll-Brasas, Elena Fulladosa, Elin Hallenstvedt,Torunn Thauland Håseth, Margareth Øverland, Per Berg, Alemayehu Kidane and Bjørg Egelandsdal (2022). Foods, 11(7), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11071043

  Nutrient-Optimized Beef Enhances Blood Levels of Vitamin D and Selenium among Young Women

  Haug, A., Vermeer, C., Ruud, L., Monfort-Pires, M., Grabež, V., Egelandsdal, B. (2022). Foods 11, 631. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11050631

  Nitrous oxide respiring bacteria in biogas digestates for reduced agricultural emissions

  Jonassen K.R., L.H. Hagen, S.H.W. Vick, M.Ø. Arntzen, Vincent G. H. Eijsink, Å. Frostegård, P. Lycus, L. Molstad, P.B. Pope, L.R. Bakken (2022). ISME J. 16; 580-590. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-01101-x

  Effects of the density of extruded pellets on starch digestion kinetics, rumen fermentation, fiber digestibility and enteric methane production in dairy cows

  Khan, G. Q., Prestløkken, E., Lund, P., Hellwing, A. L. F., & Larsen, M. (2022). Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 1– 14. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13787

  Cyberlindnera jadinii yeast as a protein source in early- to mid-lactation dairy cow diets: Effects on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, and milk production

  Kidane A, Stine Gregersen Vhile, Sabine Ferneborg, Siv Skeie, Martine Andrea Olsen, Liv Torunn Mydland, Margareth Øverland and Egil Prestløkken (2022). Journal of Dairy Science. 105: 2343-2353. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-20139

  Glycan processing in gut microbiomes

  La Rosa S.L., M.P. Ostrowski, A.V.P. de Leon, L.S. McKee, J. Larsbrink, V.G. H. Eijsink, E.C. Lowe, E.C. Martens, P.B. Pope (2022). Current Opinions in Microbiology.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2022.102143

  Integrating heterogenous across-country data for proxy-based random forest prediction of enteric methane in dairy cattle

  Negussie E, González-Recio O, Battagin M, Bayat A-R, Boland T, de Haas Y, Garcia-Rodriguez A, Garnsworthy PC, Gengler N, Kreuzer M, Kuhla B, Lassen J, Peiren N, Pszczola M, Schwarm A, Soyeurt H, Vanlierde A, Yan T, Biscarini F (2022) J Dairy Sci, 105:5124-5140, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-20158

  Mechanistic insights into consumption of the food additive xanthan gum by the human gut microbiota

  Ostrowski M.P., S.L. La Rosa, B.J. Kunath, A. Robertson, G. Pereira, L.H. Hagen, N. Varghese, T. Yao, G. Flint, S. McDonald, D. Buttner, N.A. Pudlo, M.K. Schnizlein, V.B. Young, H. Brumer, T. Schmidt, N. Terrapon, V. Lombard, B. Henrissat, B. Hamaker, E.A Eloe-Fadrosh, A. Tripathi, ^P.B. Pope, ^E.C. Martens (2022). Nature Microbiology. 7; 556-569. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-022-01093-0

  Concepts and Consequences of a Core Gut Microbiota for Animal Growth and Development. * equal contributions

  Prelman D., M. Martinez-Alvaro, S. Morais, I. Altshuler, L.H. Hagen, E. Jami, R. Roehe, *P.B. Pope, *I. Mizrahi (2022). Annu. Rev. Anim. Biosci. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-013020-020412

  No size-dependent net particle retention in the hindgut of horses

  Schwarm A, Clauss M, Ortmann S, Jensen RB (2022) J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr, 106: 1356-1363, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jpn.13757

  Mobile bag technique for estimation of nutrient digestibility when hay is supplemented with alternative fibrous feedstuffs in horses

  Thorringer, N.W., Weisbjerg, M.R., and R.B. Jensen. 2022. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 283, 115168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115168

  Associations among nutrient concentration, silage fermentation products, in vivo organic matter digestibility, rumen fermentation and in vitro methane yield in 78 grass silages

  Weiby, K. V., Krizsan, S. J., Eknæs, M., Schwarm, A., Whist, A. C., Schei, I., Steinshamn, H., Lund, P., Beauchemin, K.A. & Dønnem, I. (2022). Animal Feed Science and Technology, 115249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115249

  Integrated multi-omics of the gastrointestinal microbiome and ruminant host reveals metabolic adaptation underlying early life development

  Yan X, Si H, Zhu Y, Li S, Han Y, Liu H, Du R, Pope PB, Qiu Q, Li Z. (2022). Dec 12;10(1):222. Microbiome doi: 10.1186/s40168-022-01396-8.

  Scientific publications 2021

  A static model for estimating energy content of compound feeds in a dynamic feed evaluation system

  Alvarez Flores, M.C., Nielsen, N.I., Weisbjerg, M.R., Volden, H. & Prestløkken, E. 2021. Journal of Dairy Science (JDS) 104(7): 9362-9375. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-19816

  The preference for water nipples vs. water bowls in pregnant ewes

  Bøe, K.E., Dønnem, I., Løkken, C.B. & Kischel, S.G. 2021. - Acta agriculturæ Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science 70(2): 107-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2021.1886321

  Influence of operational sex ratio and male age on mating competition intensity in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

  Driscoll, J.G., Alo, F.M., Paoli, A., Weladji, R.B., Holand, Ø., Kumpula, J. & Soveri, T. (Online first 2021- Ethology Ecology & Evolution (Testo stampato) , 15 pp. https://doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2021.1989054

  Biochemical characterization of two cellobiose 2-epimerases and application for efficient production of lactulose and epilactose

  Jameson, J.-K., Mathiesen, G., Pope, P., Westereng, B. & Leanti La Rosa, S. (Online first 2021) Biochemical characterization of two cellobiose 2-epimerases and application for efficient production of lactulose and epilactose. - Current Research in Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbiot.2021.02.003

  Investigating cow-calf contact in cow-driven systems: Behaviour of the dairy cow and calf

  Johnsen, J.F., Johanssen, J.R.E., Aaby, A.V., Kischel, S.G., Ruud, L.E., Soki-Makilutila, A., Kristiansen, T.B., Wibe, A.G., Bøe, K.E. & Ferneborg, S. 2021. - Journal of Dairy Research 88(1): 52-55. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029921000194

  Investigating cow−calf contact in a cow-driven system: performance of cow and calf

  Johnsen, J.F., Kischel, S.G., Rognskog, M.S., Vagle, I., Johanssen, J.R.E., Ruud, L.E. & Ferneborg, S. 2021. - Journal of Dairy Research 88(1): 56-59. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029921000200

  Nitrous oxide respiring bacteria in biogas digestates for reduced agricultural emissions

  Jonassen, K.R., Hagen, L.H., Vick, S., Arntzen, M.Ø., Eijsink, V., Frostegård, Å., Lycus, P.M., Molstad, L., Pope, P. & Bakken, L. 2021. - The ISME Journal 16: 580-590. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-01101-x

  Potential applications of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

  Lindeberg, H., Nikitkina, E., Nagy, S., Musidray, A., Shiryaev, G., Kumpula, J. & Holand, Ø. 2021. . - Animal Reproduction Science 235: 106890, 10 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106890

  Effects of achromatic and chromatic lights on pupillary response, endocrinology, activity, and milk production in dairy cows

  Lindkvist, S., Ternman, E., Ferneborg, S., Bånkestad, D., Lindqvist, J., Ekesten, B. & Agenäs, S. 2021. - PLOS ONE 16(7): e0253776, 18 pp. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253776

  Human Gut Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Deploys a Highly Efficient Conserved System To Cross-Feed on β-Mannan-Derived Oligosaccharides

  Lindstad, L.J., Lo, G., Leivers, S.A., Lu, Z., Michalak, L., Pereira, G., Kjendseth, Å.R., Martens, E.C., McKee, L., Louis, P., Duncan, S., Westereng, B., Pope, P. & Leanti La Rosa, S. (Online first 2021) - mBio 12(3): e03628-20, 18 pp. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.03628-20

  Polysaccharide degradation by the Bacteroidetes: mechanisms and nomenclature

  McKee, L.S., Leanti La Rosa, S., Westereng, B., Eijsink, V., Pope, P. & Larsbrink, J. 2021. - Environmental Microbiology Reports 13(5): 559-581. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12980

  Reproduction of male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

  Nagy, S., Lindeberg, H., Nikitkina, E., Krutikova, A., Smith, E., Kumpula, J. & Holand, Ø. 2021. Reproduction of male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). - Animal Reproduction Science 227: 106722, 8 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106722

  A basic model to predict enteric methane emission from dairy cows and its application to update operational models for the national inventory in Norway

  Niu, P., Schwarm, A.D., Bonesmo, H., Kidane, A., Åby, B.A., Storlien, T.M., Kreuzer, M., Alvarez Flores, M.C., Sommerseth, J.K. & Prestløkken, E. (Online first 2021) - Animals 11(7): 18911-18.
  https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071891

  Feeding concentrates with different protein sources to high-yielding, mid-lactation Norwegian Red cows: Effect on cheese ripening

  Olsen, M.A., Vhile, S.G., Porcellato, D., Kidane, A. & Skeie, S.B. 2021. - Journal of Dairy Science (JDS) 104(4): 4062-4073. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-19226

  Concepts and Consequences of a Core Gut Microbiota for Animal Growth and Development

  Perlman, D., Martinez-Alvaro, M., Morais, S., Altshuler, I., Hagen, L.H., Jami, E., Roehe, R., Pope, P. & Mizrahi, I. 2022. - Annual Review of Animal Biosciences 10: 177-201. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-013020-020412

  Exploring Dry-Film FTIR Spectroscopy to Characterize Milk Composition and Subclinical Ketosis throughout a Cow’s Lactation

  Rachah, A., Reksen, O., Tafintseva, V., Stehr, F.J.M., Rukke, E.-O., Prestløkken, E., Martin, A.D., Kohler, A. & Afseth, N.K. 2021. - Foods 10(9): 2033, 18 pp. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10092033

  Bunkers or round bales: Losses and silage quality with or without acid treatment of low dry matter grass crops

  Randby, Å.T. & Bakken, A.K. 2021. - Animal Feed Science and Technology 275: 114868, 16 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.114868

  Effect of acid based additive treatment of low dry matter grass crops on losses and silage quality in bunker silos

  Randby, Å.T. & Bakken, A.K. 2021. - Animal Feed Science and Technology 275: 114869, 14 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.114869

  Fatty acid profile and intramuscular fat concentration of Musculus longissimus thoracis in bulls fed grass silage harvested at one of three maturity stages, either with or without concentrate supplementation

  Randby, Å.T., Aass, L. & Haug, A. 2021. - Acta agriculturæ Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science 70(2): 78-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2021.1900381

  Historical and social–cultural processes as drivers for genetic structure in Nordic domestic reindeer

  Røed, K., Kvie, K., Bårdsen, B.-J., Laaksonen, S., Lohi, H., Kumpula, J., Aronsson, K.-Å., Åhman, B., Våge, J. & Holand, Ø. 2021. - Ecology and Evolution 11(13): 8910-8922. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7728

  Transkingdom network analysis provides insight into host-microbiome interactions in Atlantic salmon

  Strand, M.A., Jin, Y., Sandve, S.R., Pope, P. & Hvidsten, T.R. 2021. . - Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal 19: 1028-1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2021.01.038

  Increasing the proportion of hazel leaves in the diet of dairy cows reduced methane yield and excretion of nitrogen in volatile form, but not milk yield

  Terranova, M., Eggerschwiler, L., Ortmann, S., Clauss, M., Kreuzer, M. & Schwarm, A.D. 2021. - Animal Feed Science and Technology 276: 114790, 0 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114790

  Methodical considerations when estimating nutrient digestibility in horses using the mobile bag technique

  Thorringer, N.W. & Jensen, R.B. (Online first 2021) - Animal 15(1): 100050, 8 pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2020.100050

  The Metaproteomics Initiative: a coordinated approach for propelling the functional characterization of microbiomes

  Van Den Bossche, T., Arntzen, M.Ø., Becher, D., Benndorf, D., Eijsink, V., Henry, C., Jagtap, P.D., Jehmlich, N., Juste, C., Kunath, B.J., Mesuere, B., Muth, T., Pope, P., Seifert, J., Tanca, A., Uzzau, S., Wilmes, P., Hettich, R. & Armengaud, J. (Online first 2021) - Microbiome 9: 243, 4 pp. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01176-w

  An integrated gene catalog and over 10,000 metagenome-assembled genomes from the gastrointestinal microbiome of ruminants

  Xie, F., Jin, W., Si, H., Yuan, Y., Tao, Y., Liu, J., Wang, X., Yang, C., Li, Q., Yan, X., Lin, L., Jiang, Q., Zhang, L., Guo, C., Greening, C., Heller, R., Guan, L.L., Pope, P., Tan, Z., Zhu, W., Wang, M., Qiu, Q., Li, Z. & Mao, S. 2021. - Microbiome 9: 137, 20 pp. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01078-x

Research projects

Both projects we lead and those we are involved in