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Wang T, Kreuter U, Davis C, Cheye S. Climate impacts of alternative beef production systems depend on the functional unit used: Weight or monetary value. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321245121. [PMID: 39008689 PMCID: PMC11295046 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321245121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Beef production has been identified as a significant source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agricultural sector. United States and Canada account for about a quarter of the world's beef supply. To compare the GHG emission contributions of alternative beef production systems, we conducted a meta-analysis of 32 studies that were conducted between 2001 and 2023. Results indicated that GHG emissions from beef production in North America varied almost fourfold from 10.2 to 37.6 with an average of 21.4 kg CO2e/kg carcass weight (CW). Studies that considered soil C sequestration (C-seq) reported the highest mitigation potential in GHG emissions (80%), followed by growth enhancement technology (16%), diet modification (6%), and grazing management improvement (7%). Our study highlights the implications of using carbon intensity per economic activity (i.e., GHG emissions per monetary unit), compared to the more common metric of intensity on per weight of product basis (GHG emissions per kg CW) for comparisons across differentiated beef cattle products. While a positive association was found between the proportion of lifespan on grassland and the conventional weight-based indicator, grass-finished beef was found to have lower carbon intensity per economic activity than feedlot-finished beef. Our study emphasizes the need to incorporate land use and management effects and soil C-seq as fundamental aspects of beef GHG emissions and mitigation assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wang
- Ness School of Management & Economics, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD57007
| | - Urs Kreuter
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Christopher Davis
- Animal Products and Cost of Production Branch, Market and Trade Economics Division, United States Department of Agriculture - Economic Research Service, Washington, DC20250
| | - Stephen Cheye
- Ness School of Management & Economics, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD57007
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2
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Caradus JR, Chapman DF, Rowarth JS. Improving Human Diets and Welfare through Using Herbivore-Based Foods: 2. Environmental Consequences and Mitigations. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1353. [PMID: 38731357 PMCID: PMC11083977 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal-sourced foods are important for human nutrition and health, but they can have a negative impact on the environment. These impacts can result in land use tensions associated with population growth and the loss of native forests and wetlands during agricultural expansion. Increased greenhouse gas emissions, and high water use but poor water quality outcomes can also be associated. Life cycle analysis from cradle-to-distribution has shown that novel plant-based meat alternatives can have an environmental footprint lower than that of beef finished in feedlots, but higher than for beef raised on well-managed grazed pastures. However, several technologies and practices can be used to mitigate impacts. These include ensuring that grazing occurs when feed quality is high, the use of dietary additives, breeding of animals with higher growth rates and increased fecundity, rumen microbial manipulations through the use of vaccines, soil management to reduce nitrous oxide emission, management systems to improve carbon sequestration, improved nutrient use efficacy throughout the food chain, incorporating maize silage along with grasslands, use of cover crops, low-emission composting barns, covered manure storages, and direct injection of animal slurry into soil. The technologies and systems that help mitigate or actually provide solutions to the environmental impact are under constant refinement to enable ever-more efficient production systems to allow for the provision of animal-sourced foods to an ever-increasing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Caradus
- Grasslanz Technology Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | | | - Jacqueline S. Rowarth
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Lincoln University, 85084 Ellesmere Junction Road, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand;
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3
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Sabia E, Zanon T, Braghieri A, Pacelli C, Angerer V, Gauly M. Effect of slaughter age on environmental efficiency on beef cattle in marginal area including soil carbon sequestration: A case of study in Italian Alpine area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170798. [PMID: 38336055 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The production of beef carries significant environmental repercussions on a worldwide level. Considering that the production of beef in Alpine mountainous regions, such as South Tyrol (Italy), constitutes a modest yet progressively growing segment within the local agricultural sector focus must be put on minimizing the environmental impact of producing one kilogram of meat, while also accounting for the carbon sequestered by Alpine pastures in such marginal areas. To this end 20 beef farms distributed in the South Tyrolean region (Italy) were divided based on the age at slaughter of the beef cattle: 10 farms with a slaughter age of 12 months (SA12) and 10 farms with a slaughter age of 24 months (SA24). Live cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used, and the impact was estimated using two functional units (FU): 1 kg of live weight (LW) and 1 kg of carcass weight (CW). Global warming potential (GWP100, kg CO2-eq), acidification potential (AP, g SO2-eq), and eutrophication potential (EP, g PO4-eq) were investigated. Furthermore, within the account, the carbon sequestered by pastures and permanent grassland has been included for estimated the overall carbon footprint. In terms of GWP100, the SA12 system proved to be significantly lower for both two functional units under studies, with reductions of 8.5 % and 7.4 % in terms of LW and CW, respectively, compared to the SA24 system, specifically, the SA12 system showed an environmental impact in terms of GWP100 of 19.5 ± 1.1 kg CO2-eq/kg LW, which was significantly lower than the SA24 system that exhibited a value of 22.9 ± 1.1 kg CO2-eq/kg LW (P < 0.05). When accounting for the carbon sequestered within the system, the observed values in terms of GWP100 are significantly lower for SA12 compared to SA24, 17.6 ± 1.5 vs. 20.9 ± 1.5 kg CO2-eq/Kg LW (P < 0.05), and 29.2 ± 2.5 vs. 38.7 ± 2.5 kg CO2-eq/Kg CW (P < 0.01). These differences are due to less purchase of concentrated feed and greater use of natural resources such as pastures and permanent grasslands. The research indicated that the production of beef in the Alpine region of South Tyrol predominantly occurs within extensive parameters, leading to a satisfactory environmental profile, also including the C sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Sabia
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Thomas Zanon
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano 39100, Italy.
| | - Ada Braghieri
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Corrado Pacelli
- School of Agricultural, Forest, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Verena Angerer
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano 39100, Italy
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Piazza Università 5, Bolzano 39100, Italy
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4
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Dressler EA, Bormann JM, Weaber RL, Rolf MM. Use of methane production data for genetic prediction in beef cattle: A review. Transl Anim Sci 2024; 8:txae014. [PMID: 38371425 PMCID: PMC10872685 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txae014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas that is produced and emitted from ruminant animals through enteric fermentation. Methane production from cattle has an environmental impact and is an energetic inefficiency. In the beef industry, CH4 production from enteric fermentation impacts all three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. A variety of factors influence the quantity of CH4 produced during enteric fermentation, including characteristics of the rumen and feed composition. There are several methodologies available to either quantify or estimate CH4 production from cattle, all with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Methodologies include respiration calorimetry, the sulfur-hexafluoride tracer technique, infrared spectroscopy, prediction models, and the GreenFeed system. Published studies assess the accuracy of the various methodologies and compare estimates from different methods. There are advantages and disadvantages of each technology as they relate to the use of these phenotypes in genetic evaluation systems. Heritability and variance components of CH4 production have been estimated using the different CH4 quantification methods. Agreement in both the amounts of CH4 emitted and heritability estimates of CH4 emissions between various measurement methodologies varies in the literature. Using greenhouse gas traits in selection indices along with relevant output traits could provide producers with a tool to make selection decisions on environmental sustainability while also considering productivity. The objective of this review was to discuss factors that influence CH4 production, methods to quantify CH4 production for genetic evaluation, and genetic parameters of CH4 production in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Dressler
- Kansas State University, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Jennifer M Bormann
- Kansas State University, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Robert L Weaber
- Kansas State University, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Megan M Rolf
- Kansas State University, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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Morais HB, Chardulo LAL, Baldassini WA, Lippi ICDC, Orsi GB, Ruviaro CF. Environmental Impacts of High-Quality Brazilian Beef Production: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Premium and Super-Premium Beef. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3578. [PMID: 38003195 PMCID: PMC10668795 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
When individual purchasing power increases in society, there is a trend toward a quantitative and qualitative increase in the consumption of products. Considering the magnitude of beef production in Brazil, environmental impacts are important factors for the domestic and international markets. This study assessed a Brazilian feedlot system characterized by high animal welfare standards that produces high-quality beef that is more marbled than that produced in grass-fed systems. We assessed the environmental impacts and compared premium and super-premium beef produced in a feedlot system using a partial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Data were collected directly on the property analyzed, considering environmental inputs and outputs and economic factors associated with the production stages of each line (premium versus super-premium). The results show that high-quality beef has, beyond a greater financial cost, an environmental cost, with the super-premium line producing a 286% higher carbon footprint, 297% more eutrophication, and three times higher acidification potential and land use than the premium line. The results of the environmental impacts agree with the results of production costs, reflecting a 282.82% higher production cost in super-premium than in premium animals. Footprints of 5.0323 kg, 4.7746 kg, and 8.8858 kg CO2 eq./kg live weight gain at the feedlot were found in the three lines.
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Arbaoui A, de Vega A. Does Replacing Maize with Barley Affect the Animal Performance and Rumen Fermentation, including Methane Production, of Beef Cattle Fed High-Concentrate Diets On-Farm? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3016. [PMID: 37835621 PMCID: PMC10571852 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminants fed high-concentrate diets produce less enteric methane than those fed high-forage diets, but not all grains are equally effective in reducing methane production. This study aimed to examine, in farm conditions, the effects of a partial substitution of maize with barley on animal performance and rumen fermentation, including methane production, of intensively reared beef calves (ca. 0.9:0.1 concentrate to forage ratio). Ninety-six beef calves were fed a concentrate with 45.5% maize and 15% barley (n = 48; M) or a concentrate with 15.5% maize and 45% barley (n = 48; B). Both the concentrate and barley straw were offered ad libitum. The type of concentrate did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on final live weight, average daily gain, carcass dressing percentage or intake of concentrate and straw. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility were higher (p < 0.05) for the M (75.4% and 76.6%) than for the B (71.0% and 73.1%) treatment, but with no effect on digestible organic matter intake. In general, the majority cereal in the concentrate did not affect rumen fermentation, including methane production, or the degradability of dry matter and starch. A partial substitution of maize with barley in the concentrate offered to beef calves does not seem a promising strategy to decrease the emissions of enteric methane on-farm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio de Vega
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
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Tedeschi LO. Review: Harnessing extant energy and protein requirement modeling for sustainable beef production. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 3:100835. [PMID: 37210232 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous mathematical nutrition models have been developed in the last sixty years to predict the dietary supply and requirement of farm animals' energy and protein. Although these models, usually developed by different groups, share similar concepts and data, their calculation routines (i.e., submodels) have rarely been combined into generalized models. This lack of mixing submodels is partly because different models have different attributes, including paradigms, structural decisions, inputs/outputs, and parameterization processes that could render them incompatible for merging. Another reason is that predictability might increase due to offsetting errors that cannot be thoroughly studied. Alternatively, combining concepts might be more accessible and safer than combining models' calculation routines because concepts can be incorporated into existing models without changing the modeling structure and calculation logic, though additional inputs might be needed. Instead of developing new models, improving the merging of extant models' concepts might curtail the time and effort needed to develop models capable of evaluating aspects of sustainability. Two areas of beef production research that are needed to ensure adequate diet formulation include accurate energy requirements of grazing animals (decrease methane emissions) and efficiency of energy use (reduce carcass waste and resource use) by growing cattle. A revised model for energy expenditure of grazing animals was proposed to incorporate the energy needed for physical activity, as the British feeding system recommended, and eating and rumination (HjEer) into the total energy requirement. Unfortunately, the proposed equation can only be solved iteratively through optimization because HjEer requires metabolizable energy (ME) intake. The other revised model expanded an existing model to estimate the partial efficiency of using ME for growth (kg) from protein proportion in the retained energy by including an animal degree of maturity and average daily gain (ADG) as used in the Australian feeding system. The revised kg model uses carcass composition, and it is less dependent on dietary ME content, but still requires an accurate assessment of the degree of maturity and ADG, which in turn depends on the kg. Therefore, it needs to be solved iteratively or using one-step delayed continuous calculation (i.e., use the previous day's ADG to compute the current day's kg). We believe that generalized models developed by merging different models' concepts might improve our understanding of the relationships of existing variables that were known for their importance but not included in extant models because of the lack of proper information or confidence at that time.
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Affiliation(s)
- L O Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, United States.
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Elghandour MMMY, Acosta-Lozano N, Alvarado TD, Castillo-Lopez E, Cipriano-Salazar M, Barros-Rodríguez M, Inyang UA, Purba RAP, Salem AZM. Influence of Azadirachta indica and Cnidoscolus angustidens aqueous extract on cattle ruminal gas production and degradability in vitro. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1090729. [PMID: 37266386 PMCID: PMC10230098 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1090729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mitigation of ruminant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is crucial for more appropriate livestock production. Thus, there is a need of further research evaluating feed supplementation strategies to mitigate enteric GHG emissions and other gases produced within the rumen. Methods This study was conducted as a completely randomized experimental design to determine the effectiveness of liquid extracts from A. indica (AZI), C. angustidens (CNA), or their combination (Mix. 1:1) at dosages of 0, 36, 72, and 108 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate incubated in reducing GHG production in vitro, particularly methane (CH4), from the diet of steers during anaerobic incubation in rumen fluid. Total gas production, CH4, CO, H2S, and fermentative characteristics were all measured in vitro. Results Treatment AZI at a dose of 108 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate produced the highest (P < 0.05) gas volume at 6 h, whereas CNA at a dose of 72 mg of liquid extract/ g DM substrate produced the least (P < 0.05) at 6 and 24 h, and Mix. at a dose of 72 mg of liquid extract/g DM substrate produced the least (P < 0.05) at 48 h. In addition, CH4 levels at 6 and 24 h of incubation (36 mg/g DM substrate) were highest (P < 0.05) for CNA, and lowest (P < 0.05) for AZI, whereas this variable was lowest (P < 0.05) at 72 mg of liquid extract for CNA at 24 and 48 h. At 6 and 24 h, CO volume was highest (P < 0.05) for AZI at 108 mg of liquid extract and lowest (P < 0.05) for Mix. at 72 mg of liquid extract. Treatment Mix. had a high (P < 0.05) concentration of short chain fatty acids at 72 mg of liquid extract/g DM of substrate. Discussion In general, herbaceous perennial plants, such as AZI and CNA, could be considered suitable for mitigating enteric GHG emissions from animals. Specifically, the treatment Mix. achieved a greater sustainable reduction of 67.6% in CH4 and 47.5% in H2S production when compared to either AZI. This reduction in CH4 might suggest the potential of the combination of both plant extracts for mitigating the production of GHG from ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M. M. Y. Elghandour
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Néstor Acosta-Lozano
- Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena, Santa Elena, Ecuador
| | - Tonantzin Díaz Alvarado
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
| | - Ezequias Castillo-Lopez
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlan, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Cuautitlan, Mexico
- Department of Farm Animals and Public Health, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Moises Cipriano-Salazar
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia No. 1, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Marcos Barros-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica de Ambato, Sector el Tambo-La Universidad, vía a Quero, Cevallos, Ambato, Ecuador
| | - Udoh Akpan Inyang
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
| | - Rayudika Aprilia Patindra Purba
- School of Animal Technology and Innovation, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Abdelfattah Z. M. Salem
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico
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Laca A, Laca A, Díaz M. Environmental advantages of coproducing beef meat in dairy systems. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 44:446-465. [PMID: 34463200 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2021.1974577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Beef meat, one of the more environmentally costly animal-based foods, can be produced in two general ways, as the main product on specialised farms or as a co-product on dairy farms. In this study, two cases (a semi-confinement dairy farm (A) and a pasture-based dairy farm (B)) have been analysed by means of LCA to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the coproduction of beef meat. In both cases, purchased feed production was found to be the main cause of environmental impacts in most of the categories considered. Additionally, cow emissions to air were the main contributor for the global warming category. Comparing the two dairy systems, notably lower environmental impacts were obtained for B in 13 of the 18 categories analysed. Regarding CF, 8.10 and 8.88 kg CO2eq/kg LW were obtained for A and B, respectively. These CF values were within the wide range found in the literature for beef meat (1.2-42.6 kg CO2eq/kg LW). Beef calves and cull cows are an important output of dairy farming, so that coproduction enables milk and meat with lower CF and associated environmental impacts to be obtained. In addition, the variability of the data found in literature and the lack of LCA studies based on real data for beef meat coproduced on dairy farms evidence the importance of in-depth study of this interesting topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adriana Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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Smith PE, Kelly AK, Kenny DA, Waters SM. Enteric methane research and mitigation strategies for pastoral-based beef cattle production systems. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:958340. [PMID: 36619952 PMCID: PMC9817038 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.958340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ruminant livestock play a key role in global society through the conversion of lignocellulolytic plant matter into high-quality sources of protein for human consumption. However, as a consequence of the digestive physiology of ruminant species, methane (CH4), which originates as a byproduct of enteric fermentation, is accountable for 40% of global agriculture's carbon footprint and ~6% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, meeting the increasing demand for animal protein associated with a growing global population while reducing the GHG intensity of ruminant production will be a challenge for both the livestock industry and the research community. In recent decades, numerous strategies have been identified as having the potential to reduce the methanogenic output of livestock. Dietary supplementation with antimethanogenic compounds, targeting members of the rumen methanogen community and/or suppressing the availability of methanogenesis substrates (mainly H2 and CO2), may have the potential to reduce the methanogenic output of housed livestock. However, reducing the environmental impact of pasture-based beef cattle may be a challenge, but it can be achieved by enhancing the nutritional quality of grazed forage in an effort to improve animal growth rates and ultimately reduce lifetime emissions. In addition, the genetic selection of low-CH4-emitting and/or faster-growing animals will likely benefit all beef cattle production systems by reducing the methanogenic potential of future generations of livestock. Similarly, the development of other mitigation technologies requiring minimal intervention and labor for their application, such as anti-methanogen vaccines, would likely appeal to livestock producers, with high uptake among farmers if proven effective. Therefore, the objective of this review is to give a detailed overview of the CH4 mitigation solutions, both currently available and under development, for temperate pasture-based beef cattle production systems. A description of ruminal methanogenesis and the technologies used to estimate enteric emissions at pastures are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Smith
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland,*Correspondence: Paul E. Smith
| | - Alan K. Kelly
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Sinéad M. Waters
- Teagasc, Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Ireland
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11
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Wen C, Zheng J, Hu B, Lin Q. Study on the Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Agricultural Carbon Emissions in the Counties of Zhejiang Province. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:189. [PMID: 36612510 PMCID: PMC9819764 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The accurate measurement of agricultural carbon emissions and the analysis of the key influential factors and spatial effects are the premise of the rational formulation of agricultural emission reduction policies and the promotion of the regional coordinated governance of reductions in agricultural carbon emissions. In this paper, a spatial autocorrelation model and spatial Dubin model are used to explore the spatiotemporal characteristics, influential factors and spatial effects of agricultural carbon emissions (ACEs). The results show that (1) From 2014 to 2019, the overall carbon emissions of Zhejiang Province showed a downward trend, while the agricultural carbon emission density showed an upward trend. ACEs are mainly caused by rice planting and land management, accounting for 59.08% and 26.17% of the total agricultural carbon emissions, respectively. (2) The ACEs in Zhejiang Province have an obvious spatial autocorrelation. The spatial clustering characteristics of the ACEs are enhanced, and the "H-H" cluster is mainly concentrated in the northeast of Zhejiang, while the "L-L" cluster is concentrated in the southwest. (3) The results of the Dubin model analysis across the whole sample area show that the ACEs exhibit a significant spatial spillover effect. The disposable income per capita in the rural areas of the county significantly promotes the increase in the ACEs in the neighboring counties, and the adjustment of the industrial structure of the county has a positive effect on the agricultural carbon emission reductions in neighboring counties. (4) The grouping results show that there is heterogeneity between 26 counties in the mountainous areas and non-mountainous areas. In the 26 mountainous counties, the urbanization rate, rural population, mechanization level and industrial structure have significant negative spatial spillover effects on the carbon emissions. In the non-mountainous counties, the agricultural economic development level and disposable income per capita of the rural residents have significant spatial spillover effects on the agricultural carbon emissions. These research results can provide a theoretical basis for the promotion of the development of low-carbon agriculture in Zhejiang according to the region and category.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changcun Wen
- Institute of Rural Development, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Jiaru Zheng
- College of Economics and Management, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Bao Hu
- Institute of Rural Development, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Qingning Lin
- Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
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12
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Hristov AN, Melgar A, Wasson D, Arndt C. Symposium review: Effective nutritional strategies to mitigate enteric methane in dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:8543-8557. [PMID: 35863922 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Intensive research in the past decade has resulted in a better understanding of factors driving enteric methane (CH4) emissions in ruminants. Meta-analyses of large databases, developed through the GLOBAL NETWORK project, have identified successful strategies for mitigation of CH4 emissions. Methane inhibitors, alternative electron sinks, vegetable oils and oilseeds, and tanniferous forages are among the recommended strategies for mitigating CH4 emissions from dairy and beef cattle and small ruminants. These strategies were also effective in decreasing CH4 emissions yield and intensity. However, a higher inclusion rate of oils may negatively affect feed intake, rumen function, and animal performance, specifically milk components in dairy cows. In the case of nitrates (electron sinks), concerns with animal health may be impeding their adoption in practice, and potential emission trade-offs have to be considered. Tannins and tanniferous forages may have a negative effect on nutrient digestibility, and more research is needed to confirm their effects on overall animal performance in long-term experiments with high-producing animals. A meta-analysis of studies with dairy cows fed the CH4 inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) at the Pennsylvania State University showed (1) a consistent 28 to 32% decrease in daily CH4 emissions or emissions yield and intensity; (2) no effect on dry matter intake, milk production, body weight, or body weight change, and a slight increase in milk fat concentration and yield (0.19 percentage units and 90 g/d, respectively); 3-NOP also appears to increase milk urea nitrogen concentration; (3) an exponential decrease in the mitigation effect of the inhibitor with increasing its dose (from 40 to 200 mg/kg of feed dry matter, corresponding to 3-NOP intake of 1 to 4.8 g/cow per day); and (4) a potential decrease in the efficacy of 3-NOP over time, which needs to be further investigated in long-term, full-lactation or multiple-lactation studies. The red macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis has a strong CH4 mitigation effect, but studies are needed to determine its feasibility, long-term efficacy, and effects on animal production and health. We concluded that widespread adoption of mitigation strategies with proven effectiveness by the livestock industries will depend on cost, government policies and incentives, and willingness of consumers to pay a higher price for animal products with decreased carbon footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Hristov
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
| | - A Melgar
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802
| | - D Wasson
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802
| | - C Arndt
- International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
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13
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Aboagye IA, Cordeiro MRC, McAllister TA, May ML, Hannon SJ, Booker CW, Parr SL, Schunicht OC, Burciaga-Robles LO, Grimson TM, Boonstra E, Mengistu GF, Fulawka DL, Ominski KH. Environmental performance of commercial beef production systems utilizing conventional productivity-enhancing technologies. Transl Anim Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/tas/txac074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using conventional productivity-enhancing technologies (PETs) with or without other natural PETs on the growth performance, carcass traits and environmental impacts of feedlot cattle. A total of 768 cross-bred yearling steers (499 ± 28.6 kg; n = 384) and heifers (390 ± 34.9 kg; n = 384) were offered a barley grain-based basal diet and divided into implanted or non-implanted groups. Steers were then allocated to diets that contained either: (i) no additive (control); natural feed additives including (ii) fibrolytic enzymes (Enz), (iii) essential oil (Oleo), (iv) direct fed microbial (DFM), (v) DFM + Enz + Oleo combination; conventional feed additives including (vi) Conv (monensin, tylosin, and beta-adrenergic agonists [βAA]); or Conv with the natural feed additives including (vii) Conv + DFM + Enz; (viii) Conv + DFM + Enz + Oleo. Heifers received one of the first three dietary treatments or the following: (iv) probiotic (Citr); (v) Oleo + Citr; (vi) Melengesterol acetate (MGA) + Oleo + βAA; (vii) Conv (monensin, tylosine, βAA, and MGA); or (viii) Conv + Oleo (ConvOleo). Data were used to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions, as well as land and water use. Implant and Conv-treated cattle exhibited improvements in growth and carcass traits as compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). Improvements in the performance of Conv-cattle illustrated that replacing conventional feed additives with natural feed additives would increase both the land and water required to satisfy the feed demand of steers and heifers by 7.9% and 10.5%, respectively. Further, GHG emission intensity for steers and heifers increased by 5.8% and 6.7%, and NH3 emission intensity by 4.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Eliminating the use of implants in cattle increased both land and water use by 14.6% and 19.5%, GHG emission intensity by 10.5% and 15.8%, and NH3 emission intensity by 3.4% and 11.0% for heifers and steers, respectively. These results demonstrate that use of conventional PETs increased animal performance while reducing environmental impacts of beef production. Restricting use would increase the environmental footprint of beef produced for both domestic and international markets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac A Aboagye
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
| | - Marcos R C Cordeiro
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
| | - Tim A McAllister
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge , Alberta, Canada
| | - Matt L May
- Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd, Okotoks , Alberta, Canada
| | - Sherry J Hannon
- Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd, Okotoks , Alberta, Canada
| | - Calvin W Booker
- Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd, Okotoks , Alberta, Canada
| | - Sandi L Parr
- Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd, Okotoks , Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Tracey M Grimson
- Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd, Okotoks , Alberta, Canada
| | - Emily Boonstra
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
| | - Genet F Mengistu
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
| | - Deanne L Fulawka
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kim H Ominski
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada
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Deprá MC, Dias RR, Sartori RB, de Menezes CR, Zepka LQ, Jacob-Lopes E. NEXUS ON ANIMAL PROTEINS AND THE CLIMATE CHANGE: THE PLANT-BASED PROTEINS ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION? FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbp.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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15
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Lancaster PA, Larson RL. Evaluation of Strategies to Improve the Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Cow–Calf Production Systems. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030385. [PMID: 35158708 PMCID: PMC8833546 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Beef cattle have a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions globally, but they have a unique ability to digest plant material that is inedible for humans, thus producing human food from grasslands and rangelands. Additionally, many people around the world depend upon cattle ranching of grasslands and rangelands for their livelihoods. Identifying the strategies likely to have the largest impact on greenhouse gas emissions while improving or maintaining economic returns is necessary to guide future research. The goal of the current study was to evaluate four potential strategies for improving the environmental and economic sustainability of cow–calf production. The four strategies included (1) decreasing the feed required for maintenance, thus increasing the feed available for growth, (2) decreasing the time for cows to rebreed after calving, (3) increasing the digestibility of pasture grass, and (4) increasing the yield of pasture grass. A computer simulation model of a cow herd in Kansas, U.S.A., was modified to create variation in the four strategies. Decreasing the feed required for maintenance improved both environmental and economic sustainability, and increasing the yield of pasture grass improved economic sustainability, implying that these strategies should be primary targets to enhance the sustainability of cow–calf production systems. Abstract Grazing cow–calf production systems account for 60 to 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions of U.S. beef production. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the importance of management strategies (cow maintenance energy requirements, reproductive efficiency, forage nutritive value, and forage yield) on the sustainability of cow–calf production systems using a sensitivity analysis in a production systems model. The Beef Cattle Systems Model was used to simulate a cow–calf production system in the Kansas Flint Hills using Angus genetics over a 24 year time period. The model was modified to create variation among cow herds in the base net energy for the maintenance requirement (NEm_Req), postpartum interval (PPI), grazed forage digestibility (Forage_TDN), and forage yield per hectare (Forage_Yield). The model was run for 1000 iterations/herds of a 100-cow herd. A stepwise regression analysis in conjunction with standardized regression analysis was used to identify important predictors of an indicator of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity, dry matter intake per kilogram weaned, and two indicators of economic sustainability, winter feed use and returns over variable costs, using R statistical software. The most important predictor of DMI per kilogram weaned was calf weaning weight followed by NEm_Req, whereas returns over variable costs were primarily influenced by kilograms weaned per cow exposed and total purchased feed (supplement + winter feed), which were strongly influenced by NEm_Req and Forage_Yield, respectively. In conclusion, decreasing the net energy required for maintenance improved both economic and environmental sustainability, and increasing forage yield and length of the grazing season improved economic sustainability, implying that these strategies should be primary targets to enhance the sustainability of cow–calf production systems.
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Fang L, He P, Tian C, Yao Y, Chen H. Beyond the ceremony: Mega-event, air quality and political career. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262470. [PMID: 35108314 PMCID: PMC8809592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper examines whether mega-events-initiated planning regulations improved air quality in Chinese cities and explores the driving forces of the enforcement of such regulations. Using the 2008 Beijing Olympics as an example, we find that mega-events serve as an opportunity for cities to combat air pollution. The 2008 Olympics prompted a handful of Chinese cities to cut pollution and sustain a blue sky: Cities with air quality regulated for the Olympics cut their Air Pollution Index by about 16 points during the Games, compared to non-regulated cities, and 60% of that effect remained four years after the event. These achievements are obtained through effective mobilization of city leaders by associating air quality with their political careers. This study reveals that 1) a mega-event may improve urban environmental quality beyond the host cities and the event period, and 2) successful implementation of environmental regulations hinges on incentivizing local leaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Fang
- Departmen of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Pan He
- School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kindom
| | - Chuanhao Tian
- School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Center of Social Welfare and Governance, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yao Yao
- School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongjie Chen
- School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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17
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Farm-level emission intensities of smallholder cattle (Bos indicus; B. indicus–B. taurus crosses) production systems in highlands and semi-arid regions. Animal 2022; 16:100445. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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18
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Lancaster PA, Davis ME, Tedeschi LO, Rutledge JJ, Cundiff LV. A mathematical nutrition model adequately predicts beef and dairy cow intake and biological efficiency. Transl Anim Sci 2022; 6:txab230. [PMID: 35047760 PMCID: PMC8763516 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The beef cow-calf sector accounts for 70% of feed consumed and greenhouse gases emitted for the beef industry, but there is no straightforward method to measure biological efficiency in grazing conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate a mathematical nutrition model to estimate the feed intake and biological efficiency of mature beef cows. Data from dams (N = 160) and their second and third progeny (312 pairs) were collected from 1953 through 1980. Individual feed intake was measured at 28-d intervals year-round for dams and during 240-d lactation for progeny. Body weights of progeny were measured at 28-d intervals from birth to weaning, and of dams at parturition and weaning each production cycle. The milk yield of dams was measured at 14-d intervals. Dam metabolizable energy intake (DMEI) and milk energy yield (MEL) of each cow were predicted using the Cattle Value Discovery System beef cow (CVDSbc) model for each parity. Biological efficiency (Mcal/kg) was computed as the ratio of observed or predicted DMEI to observed calf weaning weight (PWW). Pearson correlation coefficients were computed using corr.test function and model evaluation was performed using the epiR function in R software. Average (SD) dam weight, PWW, DMEI, and observed MEL were 527 (86) kg, 291 (47) kg, 9584 (2701) Mcal/production cycle, and 1029 (529) Mcal, respectively. Observed and predicted DMEI (r = 0.93 and 0.91), and observed and predicted MEL (r = 0.58 and 0.59) were positively correlated for progeny 2 and 3, respectively. The CVDSbc model under-predicted DMEI (mean bias [MB] = 1,120 ± 76 Mcal, 11.7% of observed value) and MEL (MB = 30 ± 25 Mcal, 2.9% of observed value). Observed and predicted progeny feed intake were not correlated (r = 0.01, P-value = 0.79). Observed and predicted biological efficiency were positively correlated (r = 0.80 and 0.80, P-value ≤ 0.05) for parity 2 and 3, respectively, and the CVDSbc model under-predicted biological efficiency by 11% (MB = 3.59 ± 0.25 Mcal/kg). The CVDSbc provides reasonable predictions of feed intake and biological efficiency of mature beef cows, but further refinement of the relationship between calf feed intake and milk yield is recommended to improve predictions. Mathematical nutrition models can assist in the discovery of the biological efficiency of mature beef cows.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael E Davis
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Luis O Tedeschi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jack J Rutledge
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Larry V Cundiff
- U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
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19
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Hernandes GMC, Efraim P, Silva ARDA, Queiroz GDC. Carbon footprint of Brazilian cocoa produced in Pará state. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1981-6723.26320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Pará is the main cocoa producing state in Brazil. To provide a comprehensive picture of the carbon cootprint from cocoa production (conventional and organic cultivation systems in Brazilian Trans-Amazon and Xingu regions), the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol methodology was used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions with a focus on the impact of climate changes. The carbon footprint was calculated based on original data collected in the conventional and organic cocoa cultivation of the Trans-Amazon and Xingu regions in the State of Pará. The harvesting, fermentation and drying steps were analyzed, with data collection in nine farms, three of each type of agricultural production: conventional; organic; and organic-fairtrade. The fruit is harvested manually, the husk is left at the field for natural fertilization without composting. The small amount of inputs, such as herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers, are used only on farms with cocoa conventional production. Eliminating the use of nitrogen fertilizers and implementing an efficient method of composting without the emission of methane in the air, the carbon footprint will be only 2.01 kg CO2 eq./kg cocoa, i.e., total reduction of 81%.
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20
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Klopatek SC, Marvinney E, Duarte T, Kendall A, Yang X(C, Oltjen JW. Grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef systems: performance, economic, and environmental trade-offs. J Anim Sci 2021; 100:6479671. [PMID: 34936699 PMCID: PMC8867585 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Between increasing public concerns over climate change and heightened interest of niche market beef on social media, the demand for grass-fed beef has increased considerably. However, the demand increase for grass-fed beef has raised many producers' and consumers' concerns regarding product quality, economic viability, and environmental impacts that have thus far gone unanswered. Therefore, using a holistic approach, we investigated the performance, carcass quality, financial outcomes, and environmental impacts of four grass-fed and grain-fed beef systems currently being performed by ranchers in California. The treatments included 1) steers stocked on pasture and feedyard finished for 128 d (CON); 2) steers grass-fed for 20 mo (GF20); 3) steers grass-fed for 20 mo with a 45-d grain finish (GR45); and 4) steers grass-fed for 25 mo (GF25). The data were analyzed using a mixed model procedure in R with differences between treatments determined by Tukey HSD. Using carcass and performance data from these systems, a weaning-to-harvest life cycle assessment was developed in the Scalable, Process-based, Agronomically Responsive Cropping Systems model framework, to determine global warming potential (GWP), consumable water use, energy, smog, and land occupation footprints. Final body weight varied significantly between treatments (P < 0.001) with the CON cattle finishing at 632 kg, followed by GF25 at 570 kg, GR45 at 551 kg, and GF20 478 kg. Dressing percentage differed significantly between all treatments (P < 0.001). The DP was 61.8% for CON followed by GR45 at 57.5%, GF25 at 53.4%, and GF20 had the lowest DP of 50.3%. Marbling scores were significantly greater for CON compared to all other treatments (P < 0.001) with CON marbling score averaging 421 (low-choice ≥ 400). Breakeven costs with harvesting and marketing for the CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were $6.01, $8.98, $8.02, and $8.33 per kg hot carcass weight (HCW), respectively. The GWP for the CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were 4.79, 6.74, 6.65, and 8.31 CO2e/kg HCW, respectively. Water consumptive use for CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were 933, 465, 678, and 1,250 L/kg HCW, respectively. Energy use for CON, GF20, GR45, and GF25 were 18.7, 7.65, 13.8, and 8.85 MJ/kg HCW, respectively. Our results indicated that grass-fed beef systems differ in both animal performance and carcass quality resulting in environmental and economic sustainability trade-offs with no system having absolute superiority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Klopatek
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Corresponding author:
| | - Elias Marvinney
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Toni Duarte
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Alissa Kendall
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - James W Oltjen
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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21
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Bonesmo H, Enger EG. The effects of progress in genetics and management on intensities of greenhouse gas emissions from Norwegian pork production. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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22
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Foroutan A, Wishart DS, Fitzsimmons C. Exploring Biological Impacts of Prenatal Nutrition and Selection for Residual Feed Intake on Beef Cattle Using Omics Technologies: A Review. Front Genet 2021; 12:720268. [PMID: 34790219 PMCID: PMC8592258 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.720268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 70% of the cost of beef production is impacted by dietary intake. Maximizing production efficiency of beef cattle requires not only genetic selection to maximize feed efficiency (i.e., residual feed intake (RFI)), but also adequate nutrition throughout all stages of growth and development to maximize efficiency of growth and reproductive capacity, even during gestation. RFI as a measure of feed efficiency in cattle has been recently accepted and used in the beef industry, but the effect of selection for RFI upon the dynamics of gestation has not been extensively studied, especially in the context of fluctuating energy supply to the dam and fetus. Nutrient restriction during gestation has been shown to negatively affect postnatal growth and development as well as fertility of beef cattle offspring. This, when combined with the genetic potential for RFI, may significantly affect energy partitioning in the offspring and subsequently important performance traits. In this review, we discuss: 1) the importance of RFI as a measure of feed efficiency and how it can affect other economic traits in beef cattle; 2) the influence of prenatal nutrition on physiological phenotypes in calves; 3) the benefits of investigating the interaction of genetic selection for RFI and prenatal nutrition; 4) how metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics have been employed to investigate the underlying biology associated with prenatal nutrition, RFI, or their interactions in beef cattle; and 5) how the integration of omics information is adding a level of deeper understanding of the genetic architecture of phenotypic traits in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidin Foroutan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - David S. Wishart
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Carolyn Fitzsimmons
- Department of Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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23
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Harrison MT, Cullen BR, Mayberry DE, Cowie AL, Bilotto F, Badgery WB, Liu K, Davison T, Christie KM, Muleke A, Eckard RJ. Carbon myopia: The urgent need for integrated social, economic and environmental action in the livestock sector. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:5726-5761. [PMID: 34314548 PMCID: PMC9290661 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Livestock have long been integral to food production systems, often not by choice but by need. While our knowledge of livestock greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation has evolved, the prevailing focus has been-somewhat myopically-on technology applications associated with mitigation. Here, we (1) examine the global distribution of livestock GHG emissions, (2) explore social, economic and environmental co-benefits and trade-offs associated with mitigation interventions and (3) critique approaches for quantifying GHG emissions. This review uncovered many insights. First, while GHG emissions from ruminant livestock are greatest in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC; globally, 66% of emissions are produced by Latin America and the Caribbean, East and southeast Asia and south Asia), the majority of mitigation strategies are designed for developed countries. This serious concern is heightened by the fact that 80% of growth in global meat production over the next decade will occur in LMIC. Second, few studies concurrently assess social, economic and environmental aspects of mitigation. Of the 54 interventions reviewed, only 16 had triple-bottom line benefit with medium-high mitigation potential. Third, while efforts designed to stimulate the adoption of strategies allowing both emissions reduction (ER) and carbon sequestration (CS) would achieve the greatest net emissions mitigation, CS measures have greater potential mitigation and co-benefits. The scientific community must shift attention away from the prevailing myopic lens on carbon, towards more holistic, systems-based, multi-metric approaches that carefully consider the raison d'être for livestock systems. Consequential life cycle assessments and systems-aligned 'socio-economic planetary boundaries' offer useful starting points that may uncover leverage points and cross-scale emergent properties. The derivation of harmonized, globally reconciled sustainability metrics requires iterative dialogue between stakeholders at all levels. Greater emphasis on the simultaneous characterization of multiple sustainability dimensions would help avoid situations where progress made in one area causes maladaptive outcomes in other areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brendan Richard Cullen
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural SciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
| | | | - Annette Louise Cowie
- NSW Department of Primary Industries/University of New EnglandArmidaleNSWAustralia
| | - Franco Bilotto
- Tasmanian Institute of AgricultureUniversity of TasmaniaBurnieTASAustralia
| | | | - Ke Liu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for Grain Industry/School of AgricultureYangtze UniversityJingzhouChina
| | - Thomas Davison
- Livestock Productivity PartnershipUniversity of New EnglandArmidaleAustralia
| | | | - Albert Muleke
- Tasmanian Institute of AgricultureUniversity of TasmaniaBurnieTASAustralia
| | - Richard John Eckard
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural SciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVic.Australia
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24
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Pulina G, Acciaro M, Atzori AS, Battacone G, Crovetto GM, Mele M, Pirlo G, Rassu SPG. Animal board invited review - Beef for future: technologies for a sustainable and profitable beef industry. Animal 2021; 15:100358. [PMID: 34634751 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The global consumption, notably in developing countries, and production of beef are increasing continuously, and this requires the industry to improve performance and to reduce the environmental impact of the production chain. Since the improvement in efficiency and the highest impacts occur at farm level, it is appropriate to focus on the profitability and environmental sustainability of these enterprises. In many areas of the world, beef production is economically and socially relevant because it accounts for a significant portion of the agricultural production and represents a vital economic activity in mountain and hill districts of many regions, where few alternatives for other agricultural production exist. Due to the important role in the agricultural and food economy worldwide, the future of the beef industry is linked to the reduction of ecological impacts, mainly adopting the agroecological mitigation practices, and the simultaneous improvement of production performances and of product quality. This review analyses the technical and managerial solutions currently available to increase the efficiency of the beef industry and, at the same time, to reduce its environmental impacts in response to the growing concerns and awareness of citizens and consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pulina
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - A S Atzori
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Battacone
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - G M Crovetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - M Mele
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Agroambientali, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Pirlo
- Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Council for Agriculture Research and Economics, Lodi, Italy
| | - S P G Rassu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Capper JL, De Carvalho TB, Hancock AS, Sá Filho OG, Odeyemi I, Bartram DJ. Modeling the effects of steroid implant use on the environmental and economic sustainability of Brazilian beef production. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab144. [PMID: 34632312 PMCID: PMC8494015 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brazilian beef systems contribute 14.9% of global beef production, therefore given climate change concerns, there is a clear need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This study evaluated the hypothesis that steroid implant use in Brazilian beef cattle would reduce resource use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic costs of production, thereby improving environmental and economic sustainability. A deterministic model based on beef cattle population demographics, nutrition and performance was used to quantify resource inputs and GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg of hot carcass weight (HCW) beef. System boundaries extended from cropping input manufacture to cattle arriving at the slaughterhouse. Beef systems were modeled using herd population dynamics, feed and performance data sourced from producers in four Brazilian states, with additional data from global databases. Implants were used in calves, growing and finishing cattle at low (LI), medium (MI), and high (HI) levels of performance enhancement, compared to nonimplanted (NI) controls. Feed use results were used in combination with producer-derived input costs to assess the economic impacts of implant use, including production costs and returns on investment. Improved FCE, ADG, and carcass weights conferred by implant use reduced the number of cattle and the time taken to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef. Compared to NI controls, the quantities of feed, land, water and fossil fuels required to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef was reduced in implanted cattle, with reductions proportional to the performance-enhancing effect of the implant (HI > MI > LI). Implant use reduced GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef by 9.4% (LI), 12.6% (MI), or 15.8% (HI). Scaling up the MI effects to represent all eligible Brazilian cattle being implanted, revealed avoided GHG emissions equivalent to the annual exhaust emissions of 62.0 × 106 cars. Economic impacts of implant use reflected the environmental results, resulting in a greater margin for the producers within each system (cow-calf through to finishing). The 6.13% increase in kg of HCW beef produced generates a cost reduction of 3.76% and an increase in the return on invested capital of 4.14% on average. Implants offer the opportunity for Brazilian beef producers to demonstrate their dedication to improving environmental and economic sustainability through improved productivity, although care must be taken to avoid negative trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith L Capper
- Livestock Sustainability Consultancy, Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0HH, UK
| | - Thiago B De Carvalho
- Unesp, Paulista State University, Universitaria Avenue, 3780 Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrew S Hancock
- Zoetis, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, D18 K7W4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ocilon G Sá Filho
- Zoetis, Rua Chucri Zaidan, 1240 Edifício Morumbi Corporate, Diamond Tower, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isaac Odeyemi
- Zoetis, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, D18 K7W4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - David J Bartram
- Zoetis, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, D18 K7W4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Ogino A, Van Thu N, Hosen Y, Izumi T, Suzuki T, Sakai T, Ando S, Osada T, Kawashima T. Environmental impacts of a rice-beef-biogas integrated system in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam evaluated by life cycle assessment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 294:112900. [PMID: 34111596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
It is essential to increase the production of foods to meet the increasing future food demand, but this should be done in an environmentally sustainable manner. Integrated crop-livestock systems have been suggested to balance the reduction of environmental impacts and the increase in food production. Here we assessed and compared the environmental impacts of specialized (SPC) and integrated (ITG) rice and beef production systems in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using a life-cycle assessment (LCA). The productions of rice and beef are separated in the SPC, whereas they are integrated in the ITG: cattle manure is treated by a biodigester for biogas production, its digestate is applied to rice paddy fields as fertilizer, and part of the rice straw is used as cattle feed. We developed an LCA model based on data collected by site investigations of rice and beef farms and the relevant literature and LCA databases. Our evaluation of the ITG and SPC rice-beef production systems using the LCA revealed that among the four environmental impact categories investigated herein, the ITG had less environmental impacts on climate change (22%), energy consumption (22%), and eutrophication (14%) compared to the SPC. With the ITG, the reduction of methane emissions from paddy fields, the avoided energy consumption by the biogas produced, and the lower ammonia, nitrate, and phosphorous emissions from cattle manure and no eutrophying pollutant emissions from grassland were the main contributors to the lower greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and eutrophication potential of this system, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that the use of cover for digestate storage resulted in lower environmental impacts of the ITG system compared to SPC system in all of the impact categories investigated here. These results provide helpful information to develop a circular and resource-efficient rice and beef production system that balances increasing productivity with environmental sustainability in rice-producing countries, particularly in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akifumi Ogino
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, 305-0901, Japan.
| | - Nguyen Van Thu
- College of Agriculture and Applied Biology, Can Tho University, Can Tho City, Viet Nam
| | - Yasukazu Hosen
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, 305-8686, Japan; Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, NARO, Tsukuba, 305-8604, Japan
| | - Taro Izumi
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, 305-8686, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Suzuki
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, 305-8686, Japan; Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Nasushiobara, 329-2793, Japan
| | - Takashi Sakai
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, 305-8686, Japan; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
| | - Sada Ando
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, 305-0901, Japan; Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Tsukuba, 305-8686, Japan
| | - Takashi Osada
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, 305-0901, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Kawashima
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
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Beck MR, Gunter SA, Moffet CA, Reuter RR. Technical note: using an automated head chamber system to administer an external marker to estimate fecal output by grazing beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:skab241. [PMID: 34383906 PMCID: PMC8420667 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to determine if titanium dioxide (TiO2) dosed through an automated head chamber system (GreenFeed; C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA) is an acceptable method to measure fecal output. The GreenFeed used on this experiment had a 2-hopper bait dispensing system, where hopper 1 contained alfalfa pellets marked with 1% titanium dioxide (TiO2) and hopper 2 contained unmarked alfalfa pellets. Eleven heifers (BW = 394 ± 18.7 kg) grazing a common pasture were stratified by BW and then randomized to either 1) dosed with TiO2-marked pellets by hand feeding (HFD; n = 6) or 2) dosed with TiO2-marked pellets by the GreenFeed (GFFD; n = 5) for 19 d. During the morning (0800), all heifers were offered a pelleted, high-CP supplement at 0.25% of BW in individual feeding stanchions. The HFD heifers also received 32 g of TiO2-marked pellets at morning feeding, whereas the GFFD heifers received 32 g of unmarked pellets. The GFFD heifers received a single aliquot (32 ± 1.6 g; mean ± SD) of marked pellets at their first visit to the GreenFeed each day with all subsequent 32-g aliquots providing unmarked pellets; HFD heifers received only unmarked pellets. Starting on d 15, fecal samples were collected via rectal grab at feeding and every 12 h for 5 d. A two-one sided t-test method was used to determine agreement and it was determined that the fecal output estimates by HFD and GFFD methods were similar (P = 0.04). There was a difference (P < 0.01; Bartlett's test for homogenous variances) in variability between the dosing methods for HFD and GFFD (SD = 0.1 and 0.7, respectively). This difference in fecal output variability may have been due to variability of dosing times-of-day for the GFFD heifers (0615 ± 6.2 h) relative to the constant dosing time-of-day for HFD and constant 0800 and 2000 sampling times-of-day for all animals. This research has highlighted the potential for dosing cattle with an external marker through a GreenFeed configured with two (or more) feed hoppers because estimated fecal output means were similar; however, consideration of the increased variability of the fecal output estimates is needed for future experimental designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Beck
- USDA-ARS, Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX 79012, USA
| | - Stacey A Gunter
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Range Research Station, Woodward, OK 73801, USA
| | - Corey A Moffet
- USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Range Research Station, Woodward, OK 73801, USA
| | - R Ryan Reuter
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Cezimbra IM, de Albuquerque Nunes PA, de Souza Filho W, Tischler MR, Genro TCM, Bayer C, Savian JV, Bonnet OJF, Soussana JF, de Faccio Carvalho PC. Potential of grazing management to improve beef cattle production and mitigate methane emissions in native grasslands of the Pampa biome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146582. [PMID: 34030331 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that improving sward structure through adjustments in forage allowance results in greater forage intake and live weight (LW) gains by beef cattle and lower CH4 emissions per unit LW gain and unit area in a native grassland ecosystem of the Pampa biome. The experiment was carried out during 2012 and 2013 in southern Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two replicates. Treatments consisted of five contrasting forage allowances of a native grassland managed under continuous stocking: 4, 8, 8-12, 12, and 16 kg of dry matter (DM) 100 kg LW-1 day-1 (or % LW). The 8-12% LW treatment had a variable forage allowance of 8% LW in spring and 12% LW in summer, autumn, and winter. Forage allowance was controlled by changes in stocking rate (kg LW ha-1). Average daily gain (kg LW day-1) was high for forage allowances of 12 and 16% LW but decreased at 8%, reaching the lowest value at 4% LW treatment (p < 0.001). Live weight gain ha-1 year-1 was the greatest at forage allowance of 8-12% LW (p < 0.001). Forage DM intake peaked at a forage allowance of 12% LW (p = 0.005). Individual CH4 emissions remained constant around 150 g day-1 for the two highest forage allowances and decreased to 118 and 107 g day-1 under forage allowances of 8 and 4% LW, respectively (p = 0.002). Emissions per unit LW gain and unit area were driven by animal productivity changes and decreased with increasing forage allowance (p = 0.001 and p = 0.040, respectively). We propose that the combination of 8% LW forage allowance during spring and 12% LW during the rest of the year should be targeted to best balance animal production and environmental impact in the Pampa biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Machado Cezimbra
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Pedro Arthur de Albuquerque Nunes
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - William de Souza Filho
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Ritzel Tischler
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | | | - Cimélio Bayer
- Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Jean Víctor Savian
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Programa Pasturas y Forrajes, Estación Experimental INIA Treinta y Tres, Ruta 8, Km 281, Treinta y Tres, Uruguay
| | - Olivier Jean François Bonnet
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Jean-François Soussana
- Unité Mixte de Recherche sur l'Écosystème Prairial (UREP), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Paulo César de Faccio Carvalho
- Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 7712 Bento Gonçalves Ave., Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil.
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Lancaster PA, Davis ME, Rutledge JJ, Cundiff LV. Relationships among feed efficiency traits across production segments and production cycles in cattle. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab111. [PMID: 34345800 PMCID: PMC8324174 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relationships between feed efficiency traits measured in different stages of production is necessary to improve feed efficiency across the beef value chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate relationships among feed efficiency traits measured as growing heifers and breeding females and in their progeny in three full production cycles, and relationships of dam residual feed intake (RFI) with lifetime and lifecycle cow efficiency traits. Data were collected on 160 mixed-breed heifers from 240 d of age to weaning of their third progeny, and postweaning performance of progeny until harvest in experiments initiated in 1953, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1974. Individual feed offered was recorded daily, and feed refusals measured every 28 d. Milk yield was measured at 14-d intervals throughout lactation by machine or hand milking. Females and progeny were weighed at 28-d intervals and progeny were harvested at a constant endpoint of live grade or age depending upon the experiment. Feed efficiency traits of RFI and residual BW gain (RG) were computed as the residual from linear regression for developing heifers, dams (RFI and residual energy-corrected milk [RECM]), and postweaning progeny. Feed:gain ratio (FCR) was computed for developing heifers and postweaning progeny, and feed:milk energy ratio (FME) was computed for dams. Various measures of cow efficiency were calculated on either a life cycle or lifetime basis using ratios of progeny and dam weight outputs to progeny and dam feed inputs. Pearson correlations were computed among traits adjusted for a random year-breed-diet group effect. Heifer RFI (0.74) and RG (-0.32) were correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with dam RFI in parity 1 only, but were not correlated (P > 0.05) with dam RECM in any parity. Heifer RFI was correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with progeny RFI (0.17) in parity 3 only. Heifer FCR was not correlated with dam FME or progeny FCR in any parity. Dam RFI was weakly correlated (r = 0.25 to 0.36; P ≤ 0.05) among parities, whereas dam FME and RECM were strongly correlated (r = 0.49 to 0.72; P ≤ 0.05) among parities. Dam RFI in parity 1 and 2 was weakly correlated (r = -0.20 to -0.33; P ≤ 0.05) with cow efficiency ratios that included dam weight as an output, whereas dam RFI in parity 3 was not correlated with any cow efficiency ratio. In conclusion, feed efficiency traits were poorly correlated across production segments, but moderately repeatable across production cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael E Davis
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jack J Rutledge
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Larry V Cundiff
- U.S. Meat Animal Research Centre, Clay Centre, NE 68933, USA
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González-Quintero R, Bolívar-Vergara DM, Chirinda N, Arango J, Pantevez H, Barahona-Rosales R, Sánchez-Pinzón MS. Environmental impact of primary beef production chain in Colombia: Carbon footprint, non-renewable energy and land use using Life Cycle Assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145573. [PMID: 33940733 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In Colombia, the beef production chain accounts for approximately 11.6 million cattle heads and annually produces 933 million kg of the beef carcass. There are no life cycle assessment (LCA) studies that have evaluated the environmental performance of Colombian beef systems. The present study aimed to estimate the carbon footprint (CF), non-renewable energy use, and land use of 251 cow-calf and 275 fattening farms in Colombia. The study also aimed to identify the main hotspots of adverse environmental impacts and propose possible mitigation options and their cost-effectiveness. The impact categories were estimated using the 2006 IPCC and the 2019 Refinement to 2006 IPCC guidelines, databases, and locally estimated emission factors. The functional units used were 1 kg fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) and 1 kg live weight gain (LWG), leaving the farm gate. Three methods of allocating environmental burdens to meat and milk products were applied: economic, energy, and mass allocation. The adoption of improved pastures was considered a mitigation measure, and an economic assessment was performed to estimate the relative cost-effectiveness of its establishment. A principal component multivariate analysis and a Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components were performed. The economic allocation method assigned a greater environmental burden to meat (83%), followed by energy content (80%) and mass production (73%). The largest sources of GHG emissions were enteric fermentation and manure deposited on pasture. Both cow-calf and fattening systems had a cluster of farms with better productivity, pasture and cattle management practices, and environmental performance. The CF for meat could be reduced by 33 to 56% for cow-calf and 21 to 25% for fattening farms, by adopting improved pastures. Therefore, our results suggest that GHG emissions can be reduced by adopting improved pastures, better agricultural management practices, efficient fertilizer usage, using the optimal stocking rate, and increasing productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo González-Quintero
- The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), km 17 recta Cali-Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
| | | | - Ngonidzashe Chirinda
- The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), km 17 recta Cali-Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
| | - Jacobo Arango
- The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), km 17 recta Cali-Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
| | - Heiber Pantevez
- Colombian Cattle Ranching Federation, FEDEGAN, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
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Holtshausen L, Benchaar C, Kröbel R, Beauchemin KA. Canola Meal versus Soybean Meal as Protein Supplements in the Diets of Lactating Dairy Cows Affects the Greenhouse Gas Intensity of Milk. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1636. [PMID: 34073093 PMCID: PMC8230340 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) are protein supplements used in lactating dairy cow diets and, recently, an enteric methane-mitigating effect (i.e., lower Ym value) was reported for CM. Before recommending CM as a greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategy, it is necessary to examine the net impact on total GHG emissions from milk production. The objective was to determine whether using CM rather than SBM in lactating dairy cow diets decreases GHG per kilogram of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM), and whether the decrease depends upon where the meals are produced. Cradle to farm-gate life cycle assessments were conducted for a simulated dairy farm in eastern (Quebec) and western (Alberta) Canada. Scenarios examined the source of protein meal, location where meals were produced, and the methane-mitigating effect of CM. The Holos model was used to estimate GHG emissions from animals, manure, crop production, imported feeds, and energy use. GHG intensities (CO2e/kg FPCM) were 0.85-1.02 in the east and 1.07-1.11 in the west for the various scenarios, with enteric methane comprising 34 to 40% of total emissions. CM produced in western Canada with a low up-stream emission factor and low Ym value reduced CO2e/kg FPCM by 3% (western farm) to 6.6% (eastern farm) compared with SBM. We conclude that using CM rather than SBM in the diet of lactating dairy cows can be a GHG mitigation strategy depending upon where it is produced and whether it decreases enteric methane emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Holtshausen
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (L.H.); (R.K.)
| | - Chaouki Benchaar
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C8, Canada;
| | - Roland Kröbel
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (L.H.); (R.K.)
| | - Karen A. Beauchemin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (L.H.); (R.K.)
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Henry DD, Ciriaco FM, Araujo RC, Garcia-Ascolani ME, Fontes PLP, Oosthuizen N, Sanford CD, Schulmeister TM, Ruiz-Moreno M, Lamb GC, DiLorenzo N. Effects of bismuth subsalicylate and calcium-ammonium nitrate on ruminal in vitro fermentation of bahiagrass hay with supplemental molasses. Animal 2021; 15:100195. [PMID: 34029791 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need to increase efficiency of beef production. Decreasing losses of CH4 and improving byproduct utilization are popular strategies. Two feed additives were tested to find potential solutions. Three randomized complete block design experiments were performed using batch culture systems to evaluate the effects of bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and calcium-ammonium nitrate (CAN) on in vitro ruminal fermentation of bahiagrass hay and supplemental molasses. The first experiment contained four treatments: (1) basal substrate; (2) basal substrate with 0.75% urea (DM basis); (3) basal substrate with 1.2% CAN and 0.38% urea (DM basis); and (4) basal substrate with 2.4% CAN (DM basis). Treatments 2, 3, and 4 were isonitrogenous. The second experiment had a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 4 concentrations of BSS (0.00, 0.33, 0.66, and 1.00%; DM basis) and 3 concentrations of CAN (0.0, 1.2, and 2.4%; DM basis). The third experiment had the following treatments: (1) basal substrate; (2) basal substrate with 0.05% BSS (DM basis); (3) basal substrate with 0.10% BSS (DM basis); and (4) basal substrate with 0.33% BSS (DM basis). For all experiments, basal substrate consisted of Pensacola bahiagrass hay (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 80% substrate DM) and molasses (20% substrate DM). All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. In Exp. 1, in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD) was linearly reduced (P < 0.001) with the inclusion of CAN, and CH4, in mmol/g OM fermented, was decreased linearly (P < 0.001). The volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile was not impacted by the inclusion of nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) or CAN (P > 0.05). In Exp. 2, except for CH4 production (P < 0.05), there were no BSS × CAN interactions. Linear reductions in total gas production (P < 0.001), IVOMD (P < 0.001), and total concentration of VFA (P = 0.007) were observed with the inclusion of BSS up to 1%. The inclusion of BSS decreased H2S production in a quadratic manner (P = 0.024). In Exp. 3, IVOMD was not impacted by the inclusion of BSS (P > 0.05); however, production of H2S was linearly decreased (P = 0.004) with the inclusion of BSS up to 0.33%. In conclusion, in vitro fermentation was negatively impacted by the inclusions of BSS, up to 1%, and CAN, up to 2.4%; however, BSS decreased production of H2S when included up to 0.33% without impeding fermentation, while CAN decreased CH4 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Henry
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL 32446-7906, USA; Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2141, USA.
| | - F M Ciriaco
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2141, USA
| | - R C Araujo
- GRASP Ind. & Com. LTDA, Curitiba, Paraná 81260-000, Brazil; EW
- Nutrition GmbH, Visbek 49429, Germany
| | - M E Garcia-Ascolani
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL 32446-7906, USA
| | - P L P Fontes
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-1506, USA
| | - N Oosthuizen
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - C D Sanford
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL 32446-7906, USA
| | - T M Schulmeister
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL 32446-7906, USA
| | - M Ruiz-Moreno
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL 32446-7906, USA
| | - G C Lamb
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - N DiLorenzo
- Department of Animal Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL 32446-7906, USA
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Manafiazar G, Flesch T, Baron V, McKeown L, Byron B, Block H, Ominski K, Plastow G, Basarab J. Methane and carbon dioxide emissions and grazed forage intake from pregnant beef heifers previously classified for residual feed intake under drylot conditions. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2019-0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to quantify the effect of post-weaning residual feed intake (RFI) on subsequent grazed forage intake, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Beef heifers classified for RFI adjusted for off-test backfat (RFIfat; 55 high and 56 low) at 9 mo of age were monitored 7 mo later for CH4 and CO2 emissions using the GreenFeed Emissions Monitoring system. About 56 of these heifers were also monitored as high and low RFIfat groups using open-path Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR). Heifers were dosed with 1 kg of C32-labelled pellets once daily for 15 d, with twice daily fecal sampling the last 8 d to determine individual grazed forage intake using the n-alkane method. Low RFIfat pregnant heifers consumed less forage (10.25 vs. 10.81 kg dry matter d−1; P < 0.001), and emitted less daily CH4 (238.7 vs. 250.7 g d−1; P = 0.009) and CO2 (7578 vs. 8041 g d−1; P < 0.001) compared with high RFIfat animals. Results from the OP-FTIR further confirmed that low RFIfat heifers emitted 6.3% less (g d−1; P = 0.006) CH4 compared with their high RFIfat cohorts. Thus, selection for low RFIfat will decrease daily CH4 and CO2 emissions from beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Manafiazar
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - T.K. Flesch
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2H4, Canada
| | - V.S. Baron
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C&E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
| | - L. McKeown
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C&E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
| | - B. Byron
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - H. Block
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C&E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
| | - K. Ominski
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - G. Plastow
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - J.A. Basarab
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C&E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
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Chen R, Zhang R, Han H. Climate neutral in agricultural production system: a regional case from China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:10.1007/s11356-021-13065-8. [PMID: 33646540 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13065-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The concept of climate neutral has been introduced in the agricultural production system to re-examine the connotation of agricultural carbon footprint (CF). According to the integrated accounting framework of the agricultural CF we built, then selected a case from China, and carried out the climate economic effect quantitative analysis of the agricultural production system. The results indicated that CO2 emissions accounted the largest percentage of total carbon emissions by 52.05%, which was driven strongly by the application of agricultural fertilizers and consumption of diesel oil and CH4 emissions (ME) from cattle fed intestinal fermentation, and the driving force behind carbon sequestration was derived from the woody cash crops of carbon sequestration by vegetation and the input of residual carbon from straw returning to field and root stubble in the soil carbon pool. The carbon sink finally realized in the agricultural production system and the agricultural CF index reflected the surplus of 1.801 Mt C in the study area. In addition, we used the indicators of carbon density, carbon intensity, and carbon efficiency to judge the trade-offs of cost-benefit between the agroecosystem and economic system, so as to put forward some potential mitigation strategies for the study area. The mitigative effect of agricultural production system on climate neutral need to be further estimated in a more rigorous manner while controlling for more uncertainties in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Chen
- China Academy for Rural Development, School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Ruoyan Zhang
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Hongyun Han
- China Academy for Rural Development, School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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Romero CM, Redman AAPH, Terry SA, Hazendonk P, Hao X, McAllister TA, Okine E. Molecular speciation and aromaticity of biochar-manure: Insights from elemental, stable isotope and solid-state DPMAS 13C NMR analyses. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 280:111705. [PMID: 33298390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of biochar (BC) in feedlot cattle diets has recently been explored as an approach to simultaneously improving animal production and reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions. This study examines the impact of BC on manure properties and whether BC affects manure composition and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) outputs from feedlot steers offered a barley-based diet with BC at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% (BC0, BC0.5, BC1 and BC2) of diet dry matter. Manure was sampled three times over a 235 day feeding trial conducted in southern Alberta, Canada. Results showed that BC2 increased total C and the C/N ratio by 5.7 and 6.6% relative to BC0, respectively (P < 0.05), while total N exhibited a quadratic response from BC0 to BC2 (P = 0.005). Manure 15δN signatures, ranging from +3.83 to +7.34‰, were not affected (P > 0.05) by BC treatment. DPMAS 13C NMR revealed similar structural features among BC0 and BC2; indigestible BC had a minor impact on the bulk-C speciation of manure organic matter (OM). Compositional changes were limited to the aromatic-C region of the 13C NMR spectra. Fused-ring domains, mainly pyrogenic-C, were increased by 1.56-fold at BC2 relative to BC0. Overall, results demonstrated that BC stabilizes recalcitrant-C in manure OM, potentially sequestering soil-C when applied to croplands. This approach provides an added value to its use in ruminant diets, mainly from a nutrient cycling perspective. However, whole-farm studies are further required to validate the incorporation of BC into beef production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos M Romero
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403-1st Ave. S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada.
| | - Abby-Ann P H Redman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403-1st Ave. S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Stephanie A Terry
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403-1st Ave. S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Paul Hazendonk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Xiying Hao
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403-1st Ave. S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Tim A McAllister
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, 5403-1st Ave. S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Erasmus Okine
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
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Cole NA, Parker DB, Brown MS, Jennings JS, Hales KE, Gunter SA. Effects of steam flaking on the carbon footprint of finishing beef cattle . Transl Anim Sci 2020; 4:S84-S89. [PMID: 33381726 PMCID: PMC7754218 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N Andy Cole
- USDA–ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Livestock Nutrient Management Unit, Bushland, TX
| | - David B Parker
- USDA–ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Livestock Nutrient Management Unit, Bushland, TX
| | - Michael S Brown
- Department of Agriculture, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX
| | | | - Kristin E Hales
- Department of Animal Science and Food Technology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Stacey A Gunter
- ¶USDA–ARS Southern Plains Range Research Station, Rangeland and Pasture Research Unit, Woodward, OK
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Lagrange S, Beauchemin KA, MacAdam J, Villalba JJ. Grazing diverse combinations of tanniferous and non-tanniferous legumes: Implications for beef cattle performance and environmental impact. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 746:140788. [PMID: 32758982 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We tested the effect of increasingly diverse combinations of tanniferous legumes (birdsfoot trefoil-BFT, sainfoin-SF) and alfalfa (ALF) on cattle performance, methane (CH4) emissions and nitrogen (N) balance. Pairs of heifers (401 ± 49.6 kg) grazed three spatial replications of 7 treatments (n = 3/treatment): monocultures (BFT, SF, ALF) and all possible 2- and 3-way choices among strips of these legumes in a completely randomized block design of two 15-d periods during 2 consecutive years. Average daily gains (ADG) of heifers grazing the tanniferous legumes (1.05 kg/d) were 40% greater (p < 0.10) than of heifers grazing ALF (0.74 kg/d) during the first year. Heifers grazing the 3-way choice had greater intakes (10.4 vs 7.8 kg/d; p = 0.064) and ADG (1.21 vs. 0.95 kg/d, p = 0.054) than those grazing monocultures, suggesting a nutritional synergism among legumes. The average CH4 emissions for legume monocultures vs. 2- and 3- way choices was 222 vs. 202 and 162 g/kg BW gain (p > 0.10), respectively. For heifers grazing SF and BFT compared with ALF, blood urea N was less (14.3 and 16.8 vs 20.8 mg/dL; p < 0.05) as were urinary N concentrations (3.7 and 3.5 vs 6.0 g/L; p < 0.05), but fecal N concentrations were greater (34.5 and 35.5 vs 30.5 g/kg, respectively; p < 0.05). Combining both tanniferous legumes (SF-BFT) led to the greatest declines in urinary N (2.24 g/L) and urea-N (1.71 g/L) concentration, suggesting that different types of tannins in different legumes result in associative effects that enhance N economy. In addition, heifers grazing 3-way choices partitioned less N into urine (40.7 vs 50.6%; p = 0.037) and retained more N (36.1 vs 25.2%, p = 0.046) than heifers grazing monocultures. In summary, combinations of tanniferous legumes with alfalfa improved animal performance and reduced environmental impacts relative to monocultures, resulting in a more sustainable approach to beef production in pasture-based finishing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lagrange
- Department of Wildland Resources, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bordenave, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Bordenave, Buenos Aires 8187, Argentina.
| | - Karen A Beauchemin
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB T1K 4H3, Canada
| | - Jennifer MacAdam
- Department of Plant, Soil & Climate, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Juan J Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
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Distel RA, Arroquy JI, Lagrange S, Villalba JJ. Designing Diverse Agricultural Pastures for Improving Ruminant Production Systems. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.596869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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Variability in greenhouse gas emission intensity of semi-intensive suckler cow beef production systems. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
The environmental impact of livestock production has become an important and controversial global issue, pri- marily due to reported impacts on global warming. This concern applies to all meat animals, but especially beef cattle due to their emission of enteric methane. Livestock production contributes to global warming, but the importance of its contri- bution may be overstated. Its effect on climate is primarily through methane production, which does not have a long-term effect on the atmosphere. Global livestock numbers and emissions from their manure are increasing, so there is a short-term effect through increased rate of emission. Other effects of meat production may be of more concern for long-term sustain- ability. Through a full life cycle of meat, the dominant impact is loss and waste, which adversely effects all measures of sustainability. An important environmental concern is reactive nitrogen losses, among which ammonia emission from manure is of most concern. Global estimates suggest that 63% of all ammonia emissions come from agriculture, with 44% of the total from livestock manure. Ammonia emissions have adverse effects related to acidification of ecosystems, eutrophication of surface waters, and human toxicity through formation of small particulate matter in the air we breathe. Water consumption is another important concern. Global estimates suggest that agriculture uses about 70% of freshwater withdrawals, with 20% used for livestock feed production. Although livestock production is not a large energy consumer, fossil fuels are a limited resource, and conservation is important. Many technologies and strategies exist for mitigating environmental impacts of livestock production, but finding economical solutions is challenging. Mitigation must start with the reduction of consumer waste. Other livestock impacts are best reduced using intensive practices to produce animals in less time and with fewer resources. Diets that accurately meet animal nutrient needs are an important mitigation option for efficient and sustainable meat production.
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Chen Z, An C, Fang H, Zhang Y, Zhou Z, Zhou Y, Zhao S. Assessment of regional greenhouse gas emission from beef cattle production: A case study of Saskatchewan in Canada. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 264:110443. [PMID: 32217321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The beef cattle production has been considered as one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission. A large amount of GHGs including N2O and CH4 from enteric fermentation and manure are discharged to atmosphere during beef-production process. In addition, a substantial amount of GHGs is also emitted from many other related processes such as feed production, transportation, and energy consumption. In this study, an emission assessment model was developed to quantify the amount of regional GHGs produced from the beef cattle production process. A case study was conducted based on the beef production in Saskatchewan, Canada. The results demonstrated that the GHG emissions from the annual marketed beef cattle in Saskatchewan in 2014 were 8.52 × 109 kg CO2-eq in total and the cattle-source GHGs (enteric CH4, manure CH4, and manure N2O emission) accounted for more than 90% of the total emission. Sensitivity analysis showed that the most critical factors influencing the GHG emission included feedlot manure handling system, cattle diet, feed additives, maximum methane producing capacity (Bo), and climate (temperature, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration). The potential impacts of climate change on GHG emission from beef cattle production in Saskatchewan were also investigated. An overall decrease in the GHG emission can be observed due to the climate change, which are 3.67%, 4.96%, and 6.63% for 2020-2039, 2040-2059, and 2060-2099, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikun Chen
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Chunjiang An
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Canada.
| | - Hanxiao Fang
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Regina, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Yunlu Zhang
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Regina, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Zhigang Zhou
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Regina, S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Yang Zhou
- Water Science and Environmental Engineering Research Center, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
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Liang C, MacDonald JD, Desjardins RL, McConkey BG, Beauchemin KA, Flemming C, Cerkowniak D, Blondel A. Beef cattle production impacts soil organic carbon storage. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:137273. [PMID: 32088477 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Grazing of natural rangeland and seeded pasture is an important feeding strategy for the Canadian beef cattle industry. As a consequence, beef cattle population has a direct influence on the proportion of land base maintained as perennial forage, which in turn changes soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. We examined historical relationships between the net change in SOC resulting from perennial/annual crop conversion and beef cattle populations. We observed strong negative linear relationships, both regionally and nationally, between the population of beef cattle and the estimated change in SOC (negative sign indicating soil C sink) resulting from the conversion of annual crops and vice versa. These relationships indicate that as beef cattle population declines there is a corresponding loss of SOC resulting from a reduction in the relative proportion of perennial to annual crops on the landscape. The annual C loss resulting from land use conversion was roughly equivalent to 62% (±13%) of the combined enteric and manure annual emissions of CH4 and N2O [(1400 (±440) kg CO2 eq head-1 yr-1] resulting in net greenhouse gas emissions of 850 (±360) kg CO2 eq head-1 yr-1. These results highlight the importance of an integrated analysis that considers land use conversion and its impact on SOC when assessing the environmental footprint associated with beef cattle production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liang
- Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, PVM, 7(th) Floor, 351 St-Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3, Canada; Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Central Experimental Farm, K.W. Neatby Building, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada.
| | - J Douglas MacDonald
- Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, PVM, 7(th) Floor, 351 St-Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Raymond L Desjardins
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Central Experimental Farm, K.W. Neatby Building, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Brian G McConkey
- Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1 Airport Road, P.O. Box 1030, Swift Current, Saskatchewan S9H 3X2, Canada
| | - Karen A Beauchemin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 5403 1(st) Ave. S., Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Corey Flemming
- Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, PVM, 7(th) Floor, 351 St-Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Darrel Cerkowniak
- Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X2, Canada
| | - Ana Blondel
- Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, PVM, 7(th) Floor, 351 St-Joseph Blvd., Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3, Canada
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Horrillo A, Gaspar P, Escribano M. Organic Farming as a Strategy to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Dehesa Agroecosystems: A Case Study Comparing Different Livestock Products. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E162. [PMID: 31963570 PMCID: PMC7022606 DOI: 10.3390/ani10010162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study employs life cycle assessment (LCA) for the calculation of the balance (emissions minus sequestration) of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the organic livestock production systems of dehesas in the southwest region of Spain. European organic production standards regulate these systems. As well as calculating the system's emissions, this method also takes into account the soil carbon sequestration values. In this sense, the study of carbon sequestration in organic systems is of great interest from a legislation viewpoint. The results reveal that the farms producing meat cattle with calves sold at weaning age provide the highest levels of carbon footprint (16.27 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq)/kg of live weight), whereas the farms with the lowest levels of carbon emissions are montanera pig and semi-extensive dairy goat farms, i.e., 4.16 and 2.94 kg CO2eq/kg of live weight and 1.19 CO2eq/kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM), respectively. Enteric fermentation represents 42.8% and 79.9% of the total emissions of ruminants' farms. However, in pig farms, the highest percentage of the emissions derives from manure management (36.5%-42.9%) and animal feed (31%-37.7%). The soil sequestration level has been seen to range between 419.7 and 576.4 kg CO2eq/ha/year, which represents a considerable compensation of carbon emissions. It should be noted that these systems cannot be compared with other more intensive systems in terms of product units and therefore, the carbon footprint values of dehesa organic systems must always be associated to the territory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Horrillo
- Department of Animal Production and Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suarez, s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain;
| | - Paula Gaspar
- Department of Animal Production and Food Science, School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suarez, s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain;
| | - Miguel Escribano
- Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Campus Universitario, 10003 Caceres, Spain;
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Aboagye I, Baron V, Oba M, Guyader J, Beauchemin K. In vitro degradation and methane production of short-season corn hybrids harvested before or after a light frost. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2018-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In western Canada, short-season corn silage production is increasing due to its potentially high nutritive value. The objective of this study was to determine variability and relationships among nutrient concentration, degradability, and methane (CH4) production of short-season whole-plant corn hybrids harvested before or after light frost (−1.5 °C). Four hybrids, based on their corn heat unit rating (≤2600, CHU rating), were grown in 2 yr in central and southern Alberta (AB) with two field replications. The batch culture and Daisy fermenter techniques were used to characterize degradability and gas production measurements. At both locations, dry matter (DM) concentration was affected by harvest and hybrid (P ≤ 0.02). However, starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations differed (P ≤ 0.01) or tended (P = 0.07) to differ among harvest and hybrid only in central AB. Over both locations and harvest times, CH4production was related negatively to propionate and positively to acetate proportions. In conclusion, harvesting southern AB hybrids after frost increased DM concentration and NDF degradability with no effect on CH4emissions, but the high DM concentration may negatively affect silage quality and animal performance. Harvesting central AB hybrids after frost increased DM and starch concentrations, while reducing CH4emissions but had limited effects on nutrient degradability.
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Affiliation(s)
- I.A. Aboagye
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Lethbridge, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
- Lethbridge Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - V.S. Baron
- Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
| | - M. Oba
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Lethbridge, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - J. Guyader
- Lethbridge Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - K.A. Beauchemin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada
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Factors Controlling Urban and Rural Indirect Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Household Consumption: A Case Study in Beijing. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11236563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Residential carbon dioxide emissions can be divided into a direct component caused by consumers via direct energy usage and an indirect component caused by consumers buying and using products to meet their needs, with a higher proportion caused by the latter. Based on Beijing panel data for 1993–2012, an economic boom period in China, indirect carbon dioxide emissions were separately calculated for urban and rural households using the consumer lifestyle approach (CLA) model. Then, an extended stochastic impact by regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) model was used to analyze the influence from two aspects, social economy, and land use, with high precision. Results indicate that indirect CO2 emissions in Beijing households display a rising trend in urban areas but a slight decrease in rural areas. Technology influences and forest land are, respectively, the most important aspects of the social economy and land use. Higher population and urbanization resulted in enhanced emissions in both urban and rural areas. The Engel coefficient presented a negative correlation with indirect CO2 emissions for both rural and urban areas. Compared with urban areas, the per capita net income of rural areas restrained consumption. The consumption structure of urban residents was more biased toward the tertiary industry than that of rural residents. Although technical progress has proceeded, it cannot offset urban residents’ indirect CO2 emissions caused by the large amount and rapid growth of consumption. Regarding land use, urban construction land net primary productivity (NPP) was high and not an important factor contributing to indirect CO2 emissions. Forest and lawn primarily served a recreational function and exhibited a positive impact. Water and cultivated land offered insufficient production and thus had a negative influence. For rural residents, lawn and cultivated land production is self-sufficient. Forests offer a carbon sequence effect, and construction land expansion increased the proportion of developed area, offering a scale effect that resulted in reduced carbon emissions. Based on the results, alternative carbon emission reduction policies have been proposed for each tested influence aspect to reduce emissions, including policies for optimizing industrialization quality, constructing a medium-density city, increasing space efficiency, encouraging sustainable consumption behavior, and increasing the efficiency of energy utilization.
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46
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Gleason CB, White RR. BEEF SPECIES-RUMINANT NUTRITION CACTUS BEEF SYMPOSIUM: A role for beef cattle in sustainable U.S. food production1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:4010-4020. [PMID: 31414131 PMCID: PMC6736101 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing global population, limited resource availability, and global focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions put pressure on animal agriculture industries to critically evaluate and optimize the role they play in a sustainable food production system. The objective of this review is to summarize evidence of the various roles that the U.S. beef industry plays in the U.S. and global agricultural systems. As the world's largest beef producer, the United States reaps considerable economic benefit from the beef industry through strong domestic and international demand, as well as employment opportunities for many Americans. Beef production contributes to GHG emissions, land use, and water use, among other critical environmental impacts but provides an important source of essential micronutrients for human consumption. The U.S. beef industry provides sufficient product to meet the protein, vitamin B12, omega-3 and -6 fatty acid requirements of 43, 137, 47, and 487 million people, respectively. In the United States, beef production was estimated to account for 53% of GHG emissions from U.S. animal agriculture and 25% of GHG emissions from all of U.S. agriculture. Footprinting studies suggest that much of the land use and water use associated with beef production are attributed to the development of feed crops or pastureland. On a global scale, beef from U.S. origin is exported to numerous developed and developing countries, representing an important international nutrient routing. Along with other prominent beef-producing nations, the United States continues to pursue a greater level of sustainability in its cattle industry, which will bear important implications for future global food security. Efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of beef production will likely be the strongest drivers of enhanced sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire B Gleason
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Robin R White
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
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DeRose K, Liu F, Davis RW, Simmons BA, Quinn JC. Conversion of Distiller's Grains to Renewable Fuels and High Value Protein: Integrated Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:10525-10533. [PMID: 31381851 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Distiller's grains are a byproduct of corn ethanol production and provide an opportunity for increasing the economic viability and sustainability of the overall grain-to-fuels process. Typically, these grains are dried and sold as a ruminant feed adjunct. This study considers utilization of the residuals in a novel supplementary fermentation process to produce two products, enriched protein and fusel alcohols. The value-added proposition and environmental impact of this second fermentation step for distiller's grains are evaluated by considering three different processing scenarios. Techno-economic results show the minimum protein selling price, assuming fusel alcohol products are valued at $0.79 per liter gasoline equivalent, ranges between $1.65-$2.48 kg protein-1 for the different cases. Environmental impacts of the systems were evaluated through life cycle assessment. Results show a baseline emission results of 17 g CO2-eq (MJ fuel)-1 for the fuel product and 10.3 kg CO2-eq kg protein-1 for the protein product. Sensitivity to allocation methods show a dramatic impact with results ranging between -8 to 140 g CO2-eq (MJ fuel)-1 for the fuel product and -0.3 to 6.4 kg CO2-eq kg protein-1 for the protein product. The discussion is focused on the potential impact of the technology on corn ethanol production economics and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine DeRose
- Mechanical Engineering , Colorado State University Fort Collins , Colorado 80523 , United States
| | - Fang Liu
- Biomass Science and Conversion Technologies , Sandia National Laboratories , Livermore , California 94550 , United States
| | - Ryan W Davis
- Biomass Science and Conversion Technologies , Sandia National Laboratories , Livermore , California 94550 , United States
| | - Blake A Simmons
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Deconstruction Division , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Emeryville , California 94720 , United States
| | - Jason C Quinn
- Mechanical Engineering , Colorado State University Fort Collins , Colorado 80523 , United States
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48
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Roque BM, Van Lingen HJ, Vrancken H, Kebreab E. Effect of Mootral-a garlic- and citrus-extract-based feed additive-on enteric methane emissions in feedlot cattle. Transl Anim Sci 2019; 3:1383-1388. [PMID: 32704901 PMCID: PMC7200514 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txz133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteric methane (CH4) production is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock globally with beef cattle contributing 5.95% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Various mitigation strategies have been developed to reduce enteric emissions with limited success. In vitro studies have shown a reduction in CH4 emissions when using garlic and citrus extracts. However, there is paucity of data regarding in vivo studies investigating the effect of garlic and citrus extracts in cattle. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the response of Angus × Hereford cross steers consuming the feed additive Mootral, which contains extracts of both garlic and citrus, on CH4 yield (g/kg dry matter intake [DMI]). Twenty steers were randomly assigned to two treatments: control (no additive) and Mootral supplied at 15 g/d in a completely randomized design with a 2-wk covariate and a 12-wk data collection periods. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured using the GreenFeed system during the covariate period and experimental weeks 2, 6, 9, and 12. CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) by steers remained similar in both treatments for weeks 2 to 9. In week 12, there was a significant decrease in CH4 yield (23.2%) in treatment compared to control steers mainly because the steers were consuming all the pellets containing the additive. However, overall CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) during the entire experimental period was not significantly different. Carbon dioxide yield (g/kg DMI) and oxygen consumption (g/kg DMI) did not differ between treatments during the entire experimental period. DMI, average daily gain, and feed efficiency also remained similar in control and supplemented steers. The in vivo results showed that Mootral may have a potential to be used as a feed additive to reduce enteric CH4 production and yield in beef cattle but needs further investigation under various dietary regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna M Roque
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Henk J Van Lingen
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA
| | | | - Ermias Kebreab
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA
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Stewart EK, Beauchemin KA, Dai X, MacAdam JW, Christensen RG, Villalba JJ. Effect of tannin-containing hays on enteric methane emissions and nitrogen partitioning in beef cattle1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:3286-3299. [PMID: 31242504 PMCID: PMC6667269 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether feeding tannin-containing hays to heifers and mature beef cows influences enteric methane (CH4) emissions and nitrogen (N) excretion relative to feeding traditional legume and grass hays. Fifteen mature beef cows (Exp. 1) and 9 yearling heifers (Exp. 2) were each randomly assigned to treatment groups in an incomplete bock design with 2 periods and 6 types of hays with 3 hays fed each period (n = 5 cows and 3 heifers per treatment). Groups were fed tannin-containing [birdsfoot trefoil (BFT), sainfoin (SAN), small burnet (SML)] or non-tannin-containing [alfalfa (ALF), cicer milkvetch (CMV), meadow bromegrass (MB)] hays. Each period consisted of 14 d of adjustment followed by 5 d of sample collection. Nine cows and 9 heifers were selected for the measurement of enteric CH4 emissions (sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique), and excretion of feces and urine, while dry matter intake (DMI) was measured for all animals. The concentration of condensed tannins in SAN and BFT was 2.5 ± 0.50% and 0.6 ± 0.09% of dry matter (DM), respectively, while SML contained hydrolyzable tannins (4.5 ± 0.55% of DM). Cows and heifers fed tannin-containing hays excreted less urinary urea N (g/d; P < 0.001) and showed lower concentrations of blood urea N (mg/dL; P < 0.001) than animals fed ALF or CMV, indicating that tannins led to a shift in route of N excretion from urine to feces. Additionally, cows fed either BFT or CMV showed the greatest percentage of retained N (P < 0.001). Enteric CH4 yield (g/kg of DMI) from heifers (P = 0.089) was greatest for MB, while daily CH4 production (g/d) from heifers (P = 0.054) was least for SML. However, digestibility of crude protein was reduced for cows (P < 0.001) and heifers (P < 0.001) consuming SML. The results suggest that tannin-containing hays have the potential to reduce urinary urea N excretion, increase N retention, and reduce enteric CH4 emissions from beef cattle. The non-bloating tannin-free legume CMV may also reduce environmental impacts relative to ALF and MB hays by reducing N excretion in urine and increasing N retention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karen A Beauchemin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Xin Dai
- Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Jennifer W MacAdam
- §Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Rachael G Christensen
- United States Department of Agriculture, Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, Mandan, ND
| | - Juan J Villalba
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT
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Baber JR, Sawyer JE, Wickersham TA. Evaluation of net protein contribution, methane production, and net returns from beef production as duration of confinement increases in the cow-calf sector1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:2675-2686. [PMID: 31028380 PMCID: PMC6606500 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Intensification of cow-calf production may provide a sustainable solution for meeting increasing beef demand in the face of diminishing resources. However, intensification with its greater reliance on cereal grains potentially decreases the upcycling of human-inedible protein into beef. A previously described model was used to evaluate cow-calf intensification on beef's ability to meet human protein requirements. Four scenarios were compared, based on a 1,000 cow herd: 1) Conventional cow-calf production system (0CON), 2) cows limit-fed in confinement for 4 mo after weaning (4CON), 3) cows limit-fed in confinement for 8 mo after breeding (8CON), or 4) cows limit-fed in confinement year-round (12CON). Changes were not made to either the stocker or feedlot segments of the beef value chain. Net protein contribution (NPC) was calculated by multiplying the ratio of human-edible protein (HeP) in beef produced to HeP in feed by the protein quality ratio. A NPC >1 indicates that the production system is positively contributing to meeting human requirements, whereas a NPC <1 indicates the sector or value chain is competing with humans for HeP. Methane was estimated based on proportion of forage in diet and total methane production was reported per kg HeP. In the cow-calf sector, HeP conversion efficiency (HePCE) decreased from 2,640.83 to 0.37 while methane production decreased from 4.53 to 1.82 kg/kg HeP produced as the length of intensification increased from 0CON to 12CON. Decreased HePCE resulted in NPC values for cow-calf sector of 8,036.80, 4.93, 2.19, and 1.28 for 0CON, 4CON, 8CON, and 12CON, respectively. Protein quality ratio of the entire beef value chain increased from 3.15 to 3.33, while HePCE decreased from 0.99 to 0.39 as length of intensification increased from 0CON to 12CON. For the beef value chain, NPC was 3.11, 2.30, 1.73, and 1.31 for 0CON, 4CON, 8CON, and 12CON, respectively. Across the value chain, confinement of cows for 12 mo decreased enteric methane from 3.05 to 1.53 kg/kg HeP (0CON and 12CON, respectfully). Additionally, profitability of the cow-calf operation decreased from $249.34 to $102.16 per cow as intensification increased. Of confinement scenarios, probability of loss to an operation was least (4%) for 4CON. Feed costs increased by $260.79 per cow for 0CON when drought conditions existed (0COND). Total methane production was reduced by intensification and none of the scenarios evaluated competed with humans for HeP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Baber
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Jason E Sawyer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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