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da Cunha LL, Bremm C, Savian JV, Zubieta ÁS, Rossetto J, de Faccio Carvalho PC. Relevance of sward structure and forage nutrient contents in explaining methane emissions from grazing beef cattle and sheep. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161695. [PMID: 36693572 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Forage nutrient contents are an important factor explaining the dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), and methane emissions (CH4) of ruminants fed indoors. However, for grazing animals, the forage nutrient contents might be limited in explaining such response variables. We aimed to verify the explanatory power of forage nutrient contents and sward structure on daily intake, performance, and CH4 emissions by sheep and beef cattle grazing different grassland types in southern Brazil. We analyzed data from five grazing trials using sheep and beef cattle grazing on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), mixed Italian ryegrass and black oat (Lolium multiflorum + Avena strigosa), pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum), and multispecies native grassland. We used mixed models, including the forage nutrient contents [crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF)], sward structure (sward height and herbage mass) and their interactions, as fixed effects and trial, season, methodologies, animal species, grassland type, and paddock, as random effects. The model for DMI (kg DM/LW0.75) had an adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj) of 71.6 %, where 11.3, 23.1, and 37.2 % of the R2adj were explained by the forage nutrient contents, sward structure, and their interaction, respectively. The ADG (kg/LW0.75) model presented an R2adj of 74.2 %, with 12.5 % explained by forage nutrient contents, 29.3 % by sward structure, and 32.4 % by their interaction. The daily CH4 emission (g/LW0.75) model had a lower adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj = 47.6 %), with 16.8 % explained by forage nutrient contents and 30.8 % explained by sward structure, but no effect of the interaction. Our results show that in grazing ecosystems, the forage nutrient contents explain a small fraction, and the greater explanatory power for DMI, ADG, and CH4 emissions models is related to sward structure descriptors, such as sward height and herbage mass. Moreover, the interaction between these variables explains most of the variation. In conclusion, forage nutrient contents and sward structure have different influences on DMI, ADG, and CH4 emissions by grazing ruminants. Because of its relevance to daily CH4 emissions, offering an optimal sward structure to grazing animals is a major climate-smart strategy to improve animal production and mitigate CH4 emissions in pastoral ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lais Leal da Cunha
- Grazing Ecology Research Group, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Bremm
- State Foundation of Agricultural Research, Rua Gonçalves Dias, 570, Bairro Menino Deus, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jean Victor 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
| | - Ángel Sanchez Zubieta
- Grazing Ecology Research Group, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jusiane Rossetto
- Grazing Ecology Research Group, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Farias GD, Bremm C, Savian JV, de Souza Filho W, de Lima LC, de Albuquerque Nunes PA, Alves LA, Sacido M, Montossi F, Tiecher T, de Faccio Carvalho PC. Opportunities and challenges for the integration of sheep and crops in the Rio de la Plata region of South America. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Sultan H, Zhan J, Rashid W, Chu X, Bohnett E. Systematic Review of Multi-Dimensional Vulnerabilities in the Himalayas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12177. [PMID: 36231508 PMCID: PMC9566038 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912177] [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: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Himalayan region is a fragile high mountain landscape where the population experiences acute vulnerability within a complex coupled human-natural system due to environmental, social, and economic linkages. The lack of significant regional and spatial knowledge of multi-faceted vulnerabilities hinders any potential recommendations to address these vulnerabilities. We systematically reviewed the literature to recommend mitigation interventions based on the region's socio-economic and ecological vulnerability research to date. We applied the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) criteria to search for results from four comprehensive databases. For our assessment, we compiled a final sample (n = 59) of vulnerability research papers to examine the vulnerability types, spatial variation, assessment methodology, and significant drivers of change. Our study represented all Himalayan countries, namely, India, Nepal, Pakistan, China, and Bhutan. More than half of the vulnerability studies were conducted in the central Himalayan region, a quarter in the western Himalayas, and a few in the eastern Himalayas. Our review revealed that the primary drivers of change were climate change, land use/land cover, and glacial lake formation. The vulnerability assessments in the Himalayan region primarily used social science methods as compared to natural science methods. While the vulnerability studies seldom assessed mitigation interventions, our analysis identified fourteen recommendations. The recommended interventions mainly included policy interventions, livelihood improvement, and adaptation measures. This study emphasized that sustainable development requires cross-sectoral interventions to manage existing resources and mitigate the confronting vulnerabilities of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hameeda Sultan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jinyan Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wajid Rashid
- Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, Mingora Swat 19130, Pakistan
| | - Xi Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Eve Bohnett
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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Assessment of the Climate-Smart Agriculture Interventions towards the Avenues of Sustainable Production–Consumption. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the current scenario, climatic adversities and a growing population are adding woes to the concerns of food safety and security. Furthermore, with the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 by the United Nations (UN), focusing on sustainable production–consumption, climatic vulnerabilities need to be addressed. Hence, in order to map the sustainable production–consumption avenues, agricultural practices need to be investigated for practices like Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). A need has arisen to align the existing agricultural practices in the developing nation towards the avenues of CSA, in order to counter the abrupt climatic changes. Addressing the same, a relation hierarchical model is developed which clusters the various governing criteria and their allied attributes dedicated towards the adoption of CSA practices. Furthermore, the developed model is contemplated for securing the primacies of promising practices for the enactment of CSA using the duo of the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and Fuzzy AHP (FAHP). The outcomes result in the substantial sequencing of the key attributes acting as a roadmap toward the CSA. This emphasizes the adoption of knowledge-based smart practices, which leaps from the current agricultural practices toward the CSA. Furthermore, by intensifying the utilization of the improved and resilient seed varieties and implying the fundamentals of agroforestry, we secure primacy to counter the adversities of the climate.
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Fouts JQ, Honan MC, Roque BM, Tricarico JM, Kebreab E. Board Invited Review: Enteric methane mitigation interventions. Transl Anim Sci 2022; 6:txac041. [PMID: 35529040 PMCID: PMC9071062 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txac041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitigation of enteric methane (CH4) presents a feasible approach to curbing agriculture’s contribution to climate change. One intervention for reduction is dietary reformulation, which manipulates the composition of feedstuffs in ruminant diets to redirect fermentation processes toward low CH4 emissions. Examples include reducing the relative proportion of forages to concentrates, determining the rate of digestibility and passage rate from the rumen, and dietary lipid inclusion. Feed additives present another intervention for CH4 abatement and are classified based on their mode of action. Through inhibition of key enzymes, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and halogenated compounds directly target the methanogenesis pathway. Rumen environment modifiers, including nitrates, essential oils, and tannins, act on the conditions that affect methanogens and remove the accessibility of fermentation products needed for CH4 formation. Low CH4-emitting animals can also be directly or indirectly selected through breeding interventions, and genome-wide association studies are expected to provide efficient selection decisions. Overall, dietary reformulation and feed additive inclusion provide immediate and reversible effects, while selective breeding produces lasting, cumulative CH4 emission reductions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Q Fouts
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Mallory C Honan
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Breanna M Roque
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
- FutureFeed Pty Ltd Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Ermias Kebreab
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
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Cattle-oil palm integration – a viable strategy to increase Malaysian beef self-sufficiency and palm oil sustainability. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.104902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Low-Intensity, High-Frequency Grazing Strategy Increases Herbage Production and Beef Cattle Performance on Sorghum Pastures. Animals (Basel) 2021; 12:ani12010013. [PMID: 35011119 PMCID: PMC8749659 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Finding smart management targets to improve livestock production and make it sustainable are very important for livestock in the tropics. We assessed the effects of high-intensity and low-frequency (HILF) vs. low-intensity and high-frequency (LIHF) grazing on herbage production and performance of beef cattle grazing sorghum pastures. The LIHF resulted in shorter rest periods when compared with the HILF. The greater leaf lamina mass in LIHF allowed greater sward light interception at post-grazing, resulting in greater total herbage production than HILF. The average daily gain (ADG) was greater for the LIHF than for the HILF treatment; however, even with a greater stocking rate in the HILF, there was no difference for LW gain per ha. Our findings demonstrated that the LIHF strategy that is based on offering to the animals an optimal sward structure to favor the herbage intake rate fosters greater herbage production, harvesting efficiency, and ADG without compromising LW gain per area, despite the lower herbage harvested per stocking cycle. Therefore, we conclude that the classic trade-off between animal performance and forage production could be offset on tropical grasses grazed by beef cattle only by adjusting grazing management according to a LIHF grazing management strategy. Abstract We assessed the effects of high-intensity and low-frequency (HILF) vs. low-intensity and high-frequency (LIHF) grazing on herbage production and performance of beef cattle grazing sorghum pastures. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with two treatments and four replicates (paddocks), carried out in 2014/15. The management target of 50 and 30 cm for pre- and post-grazing, respectively, a LIHF grazing management strategy oriented to maximize beef cattle herbage intake per unit time, was compared with a HILF grazing management strategy of 80 and 20 cm for pre- and post-grazing, respectively, aiming to maximize herbage accumulation and harvest efficiency. Sixteen Brangus steers of 15-month-old and 265 ± 21 kg of live weight (LW) were randomly distributed to paddocks (experimental units). The LIHF resulted in shorter rest periods when compared with the HILF. The greater leaf lamina mass in LIHF allowed greater sward light interception at post-grazing, resulting in greater total herbage production than HILF (7581 and 4154 kg DM/ha, respectively). The average daily gain (ADG) of steers was greater for the LIHF than for the HILF treatment (0.950 and 0.702 kg/animal, respectively); however, even with a greater stocking rate in the HILF, there was no difference for LW gain per ha, with an average of 4 kg LW/ha/day. Our findings demonstrated that the LIHF strategy that is based on offering to the animals an optimal sward structure to favor the maximum herbage intake rate fosters greater herbage production, harvesting efficiency, and ADG without compromising LW gain per area of beef steers, despite the lower herbage harvested per stocking cycle.
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Marín A, Bindelle J, Zubieta ÁS, Correa G, Arango J, Chirinda N, de Faccio Carvalho PC. In vitro Fermentation Profile and Methane Production of Kikuyu Grass Harvested at Different Sward Heights. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.682653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly digestible forages are associated with an in vitro low-methane (CH4) rumen fermentation profile and thus the possibility of reducing CH4 emissions from forage-based systems. We aimed to assess the in vitro ruminal fermentation profile, including CH4 production, of the top stratum of Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus - Hochst. ex Chiov) harvested at different sward heights (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm). Herbage samples (incubating substrate) were analyzed for their chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and morphological components. In vitro incubations were performed under a randomized complete block design with four independent runs of each treatment. Gas production (GP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), CH4 production, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, and their acetate, propionate, and butyrate proportions were measured following 24 and 48 h of incubation. Herbage samples had similar contents of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein for all treatments. However, a higher acid detergent fiber (ADF) content in taller sward heights than in smaller sward heights and a tendency for metabolizable energy (ME) and IVOMD to decrease as sward height increased were found. Similarly, the stem + sheath mass tended to increase with increasing sward height. Amongst the nutrients, ME (r = −0.65) and IVDMD (r = −0.64) were negatively correlated with sward height (p < 0.001) and ADF was positively correlated with sward height (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Both the GP and IVDMD were negatively related to the sward height at both incubation times. Sward heights of Kikuyu grass below 30 cm display an in vitro profile of VFAs high in propionate and low in acetate, with a trend toward lower methane production of CH4 per unit of IVDMD. These findings are important to aid decision-making on the optimal sward height of Kikuyu grass and manage animal grazing with the opportunity to reduce CH4 production.
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