Jeffrey L. Firkins

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Profile

Jeffrey L. Firkins

Professor

firkins.1@osu.edu

http://go.osu.edu/BurkDehority

614-688-3089

Office:

223 Animal Science Building

Columbus, OH 43210

Professional Information

Degrees & Credentials:

BS 1981 University of Illinois Animal Science

MS 1983 University of Illinois Ruminant Nutrition

PhD 1987 University of Illinois Ruminant Nutrition

Postdoctoral 1987 University of Illinois Dairy Nutrition

Research Area(s):

Dairy

Microbiology

Nutrition

Biography:

Burk Dehority Image Library

Extending Burk Dehority's Perspectives on the Role of Ciliate Protozoa in the Rumen

Jeffrey L. Firkins is a Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences of The Ohio State University. Firkins was raised on a grain and livestock farm in northern Illinois and developed his interest in dairy cattle by working on his uncle’s nearby dairy farm. Following postdoctoral research in dairy nutrition at Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, he was hired as an Assistant Professor of dairy cattle nutrition in the Department of Dairy Sciences (now the Department of Animal Sciences) in 1987 and has moved through the ranks to full Professor in 2000.

Dr. Firkins conducted applied research to answer immediate and long-term concerns of the dairy industry in three main areas: 1) studying the interface between nutrition and microbiology to enhance the conversion of dietary protein into microbial protein (and thereby milk protein) and reduce enteric methane production; 2) studying the interactions of physical, chemical, and microbiological processes related to fiber and starch degradation and passage and biohydrogenation in dairy cattle; and 3) improving the quantitative prediction of protein and carbohydrate digestion and microbial protein production in dairy cattle.

Dr. Firkins has served multiple terms as a journal editor, panelist or manager of USDA competitive grants, and on planning committees for international conferences in gut microbiology and ruminant physiology. He has been a principal investigator or co-PI on over $4 million in grants and has published more than 250 articles, including more than 100 refereed journal articles, reviews, and book chapters. He is serving on the committee for the 8^th Edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. Firkins has advised 15 Ph.D. and 13 M.S. students and served on committees of dozens more, including 7 international doctoral candidates. He teaches nutrition classes in Animal Sciences and the interdisciplinary nutrition program at OSU. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, history, gardening, camping, and family activities.

Honors and Awards Fellow of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), 2020

American Feed Industry Association Dairy Nutrition Research Award, ADSA, 2012

Gamma Sigma Delta Research Award of Merit, 2006

ADSA Applied Dairy Nutrition Award, 2003

OARDC Junior Faculty Research Award, 1999

Memberships/Professional Activities

American Dairy Science Association (ADSA)

Rumen Function Conference, renamed Congress on Gastrointestinal Function, Chicago; Ruminant Nutrition Chair, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017

International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology international scientific committee, 2008-current

ADSA 24th Discover Conference (Rumen Microbiology), 2012, co-chair

ADSA 34^th Discover Conference (Amino Acid and Energy Interactions), 2018, co-chair

Numerous departmental, college, and university committees

Works

Selected Book Chapters and Reviews

Hristov, A.N., J. Oh, C. Lee, R. Meinen, F. Montes, T. Ott, J. Firkins, A. Rotz, C. Dell, A. Adesogan, W. Yang, J. Tricarico, E. Kebreab, G. Waghorn, J. Dijkstra, and S. Oosting. 2013. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock production—A review of technical options for non-CO2 emissions. Gerber, P.J, B. Henderson, and H.P.S. Makkar, eds. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper No. 177. FAO, Rome, Italy.

Firkins, J.L., and Z. Yu. 2015. How to use data on the rumen microbiome to improve our understanding of ruminant nutrition. J. Anim. Sci. 93:1450-1470.

Hackmann, T.J., and J.L. Firkins. 2015. Maximizing efficiency of rumen microbial protein production. Frontiers in Microbiology 6:465. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00465.

Selected Journal Articles

Sylvester, J.T., S.K.R. Karnati, Z. Yu, M. Morrison, and J.L. Firkins. 2004. Development of an assay to quantify rumen ciliate protozoal biomass in cows using real-time PCR. J. Nutr. 134:3378-3384. (Editorial Commententary)

Hackmann, T.J., L.E. Diese, and J.L. Firkins. 2013. Quantifying the responses of mixed rumen microbes to excess carbohydrate. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 79:3786-3795. (Editor pick)

Diaz, H.L. K.N. Barr, K.R. Godden, J.E. Plank, I. Zapata, A.N. Schappacher, W.P. Wick, and J.L. Firkins. 2014. Eukaryotic inhibitors or activators elicit responses to chemosensory compounds by ruminal isotrichid and entodiniomorphid protozoa. J. Dairy Sci. 97:2254-2269.

Firkins, J.L., C.M. Fowler, E. Devillard, and B.J. Bequette. 2015. Kinetics of microbial methionine metabolism in continuous cultures administered different methionine sources. J. Dairy Sci. 98:1178-1194.

Hackmann, T.J., and J.L. Firkins. 2015. Electron transport phosphorylation in rumen butyrivibrios: Unprecedented ATP yield for glucose fermentation to butyrate. Front. Microbiol. 6:622. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00622.

Roman-Garcia, Y., R.R. White, and J.L. Firkins. 2016. Meta-analysis of postruminal microbial nitrogen flows in dairy cattle. I. Derivation of equations. J. Dairy Sci. 99:7918-7931.

White, R.R., Y. Roman-Garcia, J.L. Firkins. 2016. Meta-analysis of postruminal microbial nitrogen flows in dairy cattle. II. Approaches to and implications of more mechanistic prediction. J. Dairy Sci. 99:7932-7944.

White, R.R., Y. Roman-Garcia, J.L. Firkins, P. Kononoff, M.J. VandeHaar, H. Tran, T. McGill, R. Garnett, and M.D. Hanigan. 2017. Evaluation of the National Research Council (2001) dairy model and derivation of new prediction equations. 2. Rumen degradable and undegradable protein. J. Dairy Sci. 100:3611-3627.

Sok, M. D.R. Ouellet, J.L. Firkins, D. Pellerin, and H. Lapierre. 2017. Amino acid composition of rumen bacteria and protozoa in cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 100:5241-5249.

Wenner, B.A., J. de Souza, F. Batistel, T.J. Hackmann, Z. Yu, and J.L. Firkins. 2017. Association of aqueous hydrogen concentration with methane production in continuous cultures modulated to vary pH and solids passage rate. J. Dairy Sci. 100:5378-5387.

Works

Journal Articles

Firkins, J.L., "INVITED REVIEW: Advances in rumen efficiency*" Applied Animal Science 37 4 (2021) 388-403-388-403

Stevens, K.D.; Eastridge, M.L.; Daniels, K.M.; Finney, S.K. et al., "Effect of oral administration of Megasphaera elsdenii on performance of Holstein cows during early lactation" Professional Animal Scientist 33 1 (2017) 120-126-120-126

Firkins, J.L.; Yu, Z., "Ruminant nutrition symposium: How to use data on the rumen microbiome to improve our understanding of ruminant nutrition" Journal of Animal Science 93 4 (2015) 1450-1470-1450-1470

Meller, R.A.; Firkins, J.L.; Gehman, A.M., "Efficacy of live yeast in lactating dairy cattle" Professional Animal Scientist 30 4 (2014) 413-417-413-417

Hristov,A,N; Lee,C; Hristova,R; Huhtanen,P; Firkins,J,L, "A meta-analysis of variability in continuous-culture ruminal fermentation and digestibility data" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 95 9 (2012) 5299-5307-5299-5307

Reveneau,C; Ribeiro,C,VDM; Eastridge,M,L; Firkins,J,L, "Interaction of unsaturated fat or coconut oil with monensin in lactating dairy cows fed 12 times daily. II. Fatty acid flow to the omasum and milk fatty acid profile" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 95 4 (2012) 2061-2069-2061-2069

Bateman,H,G; Hill,T,M; Aldrich,J,M; Schlotterbeck,R,L; Firkins,J,L, "Meta-analysis of the effect of initial serum protein concentration and empirical prediction model for growth of neonatal Holstein calves through 8 weeks of age" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 95 1 (2012) 363-369-363-369

Eastridge,M,L; Lefeld,A,H; Eilenfeld,A,M; Gott,P,N; Bowen,W,S; Firkins,J,L, "Corn grain and liquid feed as nonfiber carbohydrate sources in diets for lactating dairy cows" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 94 6 (2011) 3045-3053-3045-3053

Firkins, J.L., "Reconsidering rumen microbial consortia to enhance feed efficiency and reduce environmental impact of ruminant livestock production systems." R. Bras. Zootec. 39 (2010) 445-457-445-457

Ribeiro,C,VDM; Eastridge,M,L; Firkins,J,L; St-Pierre,N,R; Palmquist,D,L, "Kinetics of fatty acid biohydrogenation in vitro" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 90 3 (2007) 1405-1416-1405-1416

Reveneau,C; Ribeiro,C,VDM; Eastridge,M,L; St-Pierre,N,R; Firkins,J,L, "Processing whole cottonseed moderates fatty acid metabolism and improves performance by dairy cows" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 88 12 (2005) 4342-4355-4342-4355

Qiu,X; Eastridge,M,L; Firkins,J,L, "Effects of dry matter intake, addition of buffer, and source of fat on duodenal flow and concentration of conjugated linoleic acid and trans-11 C-18 : 1 in milk" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 87 12 (2004) 4278-4286-4278-4286

Qiu,X; Eastridge,M,L; Griswold,K,E; Firkins,J,L, "Effects of substrate, passage rate, and pH in continuous culture on flows of conjugated linoleic acid and trans C-18 : 1" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 87 10 (2004) 3473-3479-3473-3479

Firkins,J,L; Harvatine,D,I; Sylvester,J,T; Eastridge,M,L, "Lactation performance by dairy cows fed wet brewers grains or whole cottonseed to replace forage" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 85 10 (2002) 2662-2668-2662-2668

Harvatine,D,I; Firkins,J,L; Eastridge,M,L, "Whole linted cottonseed as a forage substitute fed with ground or steam-flaked corn: Digestibility and performance" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 85 8 (2002) 1976-1987-1976-1987

Harvatine,D,I; Winkler,J,E; Devant-Guille,M; Firkins,J,L; St-Pierre,N,R; Oldick,B,S; Eastridge,M,L, "Whole linted cottonseed as a forage substitute: Fiber effectiveness and digestion kinetics" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 85 8 (2002) 1988-1999-1988-1999

Callison,S,L; Firkins,J,L; Eastridge,M,L; Hull,B,L, "Site of nutrient digestion by dairy cows fed corn of different particle sizes or steam-rolled" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 84 6 (2001) 1458-1467-1458-1467

Slater,A,L; Eastridge,M,L; Firkins,J,L; Bidinger,L,J, "Effects of starch source and level of forage neutral detergent fiber on performance by dairy cows" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 83 2 (2000) 313-321-313-321

Pires,A,V; Eastridge,M,L; Firkins,J,L; Lin,Y,C, "Effects of heat treatment and physical processing of cottonseed on nutrient digestibility and production performance by lactating cows" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 80 8 (1997) 1685-1694-1685-1694

Harmison,B; Eastridge,M,L; Firkins,J,L, "Effect of percentage of dietary forage neutral detergent fiber and source of starch on performance of lactating Jersey cows" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 80 5 (1997) 905-911-905-911

Pires,A,V; Eastridge,M,L; Firkins,J,L, "Roasted soybeans, blood meal, and tallow as sources of fat and ruminally undegradable protein in the diets of lactating cows" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 79 9 (1996) 1603-1610-1603-1610

PANTOJA,J; Firkins,J,L; Eastridge,M,L; Hull,B,L, "Fatty acid digestion in lactating dairy cows fed fats varying in degree of saturation and different fiber sources" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 79 4 (1996) 575-584-575-584

PANTOJA,J; Firkins,J,L; Eastridge,M,L, "Fatty acid digestibility and lactation performance by dairy cows fed fats varying in degree of saturation" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 79 3 (1996) 429-437-429-437

PANTOJA,J; Firkins,J,L; Eastridge,M,L, "SITE OF DIGESTION AND MILK-PRODUCTION BY COWS FED FATS DIFFERING IN SATURATION, ESTERIFICATION, AND CHAIN-LENGTH" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 78 10 (1995) 2247-2258-2247-2258

PANTOJA,J; Firkins,J,L; Eastridge,M,L; Hull,B,L, "EFFECTS OF FAT-SATURATION AND SOURCE OF FIBER ON SITE OF NUTRIENT DIGESTION AND MILK-PRODUCTION BY LACTATING DAIRY-COWS" JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE 77 8 (1994) 2341-2356-2341-2356

Sultan,J,I; Firkins,J,L; Weiss,W,P; Loerch,S,C, "EFFECTS OF ENERGY-LEVEL AND PROTEIN-SOURCE ON NITROGEN KINETICS IN STEERS FED WHEAT STRAW-BASED DIETS" JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 70 12 (1992) 3916-3921-3916-3921

Sultan,J,I; Fluharty,F,L; Firkins,J,L; Loerch,S,C, "EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL PROTEIN-SOURCE AND ALKALINE HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE TREATMENT OF WHEAT STRAW ON SITE OF NUTRIENT DIGESTION AND FLOW OF NITROGENOUS COMPOUNDS TO THE DUODENUM OF STEERS" JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 70 12 (1992) 3909-3915-3909-3915

Hackmann, T.J., and J.L. Firkins, "Mixed rumen microbes respond to excess carbohydrate by synthesizing reserve carbohydrate and spilling energy" Appl. Environ. Microbiol.

Conferences

Firkins, J.L., "Considerations for optimizing low-starch diets for dairy cattle" Minnesota Nutrition Conference 2011.

Firkins, J.L., "Low-Starch Co-Products in Cattle Diets" Proceedings of the Western Nutrition Conference 2011.

Firkins, J.L., "Liquid Feeds and Sugars in Diets for Dairy Cattle" Proceedings of the Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium 2011.

Firkins, J.L., "Metabolism of Sugars and Carbohydrates." Proceedings of the Liquid Feed Symposium 2010.

Firkins, J.L., "Matching Quantity and Quality of Protein Sources with Rumen Bacterial Requirements." Adisseo Pre-Conference at the 2010 Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Converence 2010.

Firkins, J.L., "Maximizing microbial protein synthesis in the rumen" 1996.

Presentations

"Rumen Protozoa: Bad Actors or Useful Symbionts?." In 24th ADSA Discover Conference: Rumen Microbiology.. 2012.

"Can We Really Model Digestive Ecosystems?." In 8th Rowett-INRA Symposium on Gut Microbiology. 2012.

"Quantizing the Quantitativeness of qPCR." In Procter & Gamble seminar. 2012.

"Starch and rumen-digestible carbohydrate in dairy rations." In Cargill/Elanco Research Update. 2011.

"The role of the rumen microbiota to enhance feed efficiency and reduce environmental impact of ruminant production systems.." In First Joint Association Argentina Production Animal/American Association of Animal Science Meeting. 2011.

"Low-starch co-products in cattle diets.." In Western Nutrition Conference. 2011.

"Rumen protozoal growth, chemotaxis, and implications for nitrogen and methane emissions from dairy farms.." In University of Alberta. 2011.

"Considerations for optimizing low-starch diets for dairy cattle.." In Minnesota Nutrition Conference. 2011.

"Rumen protozoa: Understanding how conserved signaling mechanisms control the ecology of the grazers residing within the grazers.." In OSU Nutrition Seminar. 2011.

"Rumen Microbial Ecology: Understanding the role of the grazers residing within the grazers.." In Ohio Branch of American Society of Microbiology Meetings. 2011.

"Liquid feeds and sugars in diets for dairy cattle.." In Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. 2011.

"Rumen protozoal growth and chemotaxis: Just another day equilibrating in the medial mat?." In Aarhus University. 2011.

"Matching Quantity and Quality of Protein Sources with Rumen Bacterial Requirements.." In Adisseo Pre-Conference at the 2010 Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference. 2010.

"Metabolism of Sugars and Carbohydrates.." In Liquid Feed Symposium. 2010.

"Addition of sugars to dairy rations.." In Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference. 2010.

"Effective fiber and non-structural carbohydrates for dairy cattle.." In Latin American Animal Nutrition Course. 2010.

"Nutrition and reproduction interactions in cattle.." In Latin American Animal Nutrition Course. 2010.

"Feeding protein to dairy cows.." In Latin American Animal Nutrition Course.. 2010.

"Feeding fat to dairy cows.." In Latin American Animal Nutrition Course. 2010.

"Practical applications of recent research on liquid feeds for dairy cattle.." In Quality Liquid Feeds Beef and Dairy Consultant VIP Tour. 2009.

"Update on HMBi Project.." In Adisseo Advancia Meeting. 2009.

"Integration of microbial profiling techniques to improve the efficiency of nutrient usage in ruminant production.." In American Dairy Science Association/American Society of Animal Science national meeting.. 2009.

"Rumen protozoa and nutrient usage in dairy cows: predatory lenders or free-market spenders.." 2009.

"Feeding Fat to Dairy Cows. Latin American Animal Nutrition Course. San Jose, Costa Rica. Sept. 3-7, 2001." 2001.

"Feeding Protein to Dairy Cows. Latin American Animal Nutrition Course. San Jose, Costa Rica. Sept. 3-7, 2001." 2001.

"Forage Quality and Feeding Quality for Dairy Cattle. Latin American Animal Nutrition Course, Costa Rica." 2001.

"Nutrition and Reproduction Interactions in Cattle. Latin American Animal Nutrition Course. San Jose, Costa Rica. Sept. 3-7, 2001.." 2001.

"Protein Sources and the New NRC System for Protein. 27th Food Animal Medicine Conference. Ohio State University, Columbus. Nov. 2, 2001.." 2001.

"Feeding Dairy Cattle During Periods of Heat Stress. Latin American Animal Nutrition Course. San Jose, Costa Rica. Sept. 3-7, 2001." 2001.

Editors Choice: Invited Review: Advances in Rumen Efficiency

Date published:

07/30/2021

Publication type:

Journal article

Our Author(s):

Jeffrey L. Firkins

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Jeffrey L. Firkins

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Professional Information

Honors and Awards Fellow of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), 2020

Memberships/Professional Activities

Selected Book Chapters and Reviews

Selected Journal Articles

Works

Journal Articles

Conferences

Presentations