This project is headed up by Ella Wilson and is part of her PhD program, supported by AgResearch Ltd.
It explores how seasonal physiology and pregnancy alter digestive function by combining multiple in vitro approaches to study both rumen and hindgut fermentation. Rumen fluid collected throughout the year is used in controlled fermentation assays to measure methane production, CO₂, pH, ammonia, and overall gas kinetics. These results—modelled using Orskov fermentation parameters—highlight how microbial activity shifts between seasons and reproductive states, reflecting changes in feed intake, metabolic demand, and nutrient partitioning.
To complement rumen data, faecal samples are analysed using novel in vitro methods to infer hindgut fermentation potential and identify markers that indicate which digestive compartments dominate fibre breakdown. Together, these measures provide a “whole-tract” understanding of digestion. The goal is to determine the seasonal and
physiological drivers of rumen efficiency, hindgut activity, and methane output, thereby contributing to improved feed strategies and lower environmental impact in deer farming systems.
