During her PhD studies, Emma Hvas investigated the use of sugar beets as a feed for dairy cows, focusing on an ensiling method that enables year-round feeding by co-ensiling with forages and concentrates rich in energy, fibre, or protein. Her research aimed to evaluate silage quality and reduce fermentation losses, as ensiling beets produces ethanol-rich silage. Additionally, Emma studied ethanol metabolism in dairy cows, focusing on its metabolism in the rumen and by the mammary gland.

The new research findings contribute to the understanding of how beets can be ensiled and the energy value of ethanol from ensiled beets for milk production in dairy cows.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 31 January 2025 at 11:00.
Place: Building 8814-3075, Auditorium, AU Viborg, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele. Click here to join the meeting

Title of PhD thesis: Sugar beets for dairy cows – Ensiling method and ethanol metabolism

Contact information: Emma Marie Vallentin Hvas, e-mail: emma.hvas@anivet.au.dk, tel.: +45 6127 2180.

Members of the assessment committee:

Research professor Marketta Rinne, Animal Nutrition Group, Natural Resources Institute (Luke), Finland

Professor Richard Kohn, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural

Resources, University of Maryland, MD, USA.

Professor Peter T. Thomsen (chair), Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Senior Researcher Mogens Larsen, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark

Co-supervisor:
Professor Martin Riis Weisbjerg, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.