Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Beef Cattle Production in Brazil through Animal Management

Sustainability

Yuri Santa Rosa Guimarães¹  Abmael da Silva Cardoso¹  Ricardo Andrade Reis¹  André Pastori D’Aurea²  Luis Eduardo Ferreira²  Lauriston Bertelli Fernandes² 

[1] Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, São Paulo 14884-900, Brazil;Research Center Premix Company, São Paulo 14020-670, Brazil;

关键词: GHG emissions;    livestock;    sustainable intensification;    beef production;    GHG inventories;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su13137207

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Beef cattle production is an important agricultural activity in Brazil, which influences environmental and resource consumption. This study analyzed greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts from 17 farms, representing the Brazil’s productive system and determined possible improvements in the production chain. Methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide emissions were evaluated using the updated Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for national inventories. The GHG inventory included emissions from animals, feeds, and “cradle-to-farm-gate” operations for animal management. Regression analyses of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) emissions and productive indices were performed to identify possible GHG emission hotspots. The results varied considerably among the farms. The GHG yield ranged from 8.63 to 50.88 CO₂eq kg carcass⁻¹. The productive indices of average daily gain (p < 0.0001), area productivity (p = 0.058), and slaughtering age (p < 0.0001) were positively correlated with GHG yield. However, no correlation was found with the stocking rate (p = 0.21). The production chain could be improved through accurate animal management strategies that reduce the slaughtering age and daily weight gain individually or per area using pasture management and strategic animal supplementation, which could subsequently reduce GHG emissions in beef cattle production.

【 授权许可】

Unknown