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Edwards-Callaway L, Davis M, Dean L, McBride B. Stakeholder Perceptions of Animal Welfare as a Component of Sustainable Beef Programs in the United States-A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1348. [PMID: 38731352 PMCID: PMC11083033 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091348] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate how stakeholders in the United States beef industry incorporate animal welfare into their sustainability programs. A survey was administered online to the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef membership. Twenty-seven surveys were analyzed. Most respondents (n = 26, 96%) had sustainability programs that incorporated animal welfare. Most respondents believed that welfare positively impacted environmental (n = 25/26, 96%), economic (n = 25/26, 96%), and social (n = 26/26, 100%) sustainability. The thematic analysis of five free response questions identified ten themes: Animal Care, Regulations and Guidelines, Responsibility, Consumers and Stakeholders, Performance and Efficiency, Financial Impact, Connectedness, Critical Component, Animal-based Outcomes, and Employees. When asked to define welfare, the most common themes were Animal Care and Regulations and Guidelines. When asked why welfare was a component of their sustainability program, the top factors from a provided list were: cattle health (n = 20, 74%), cattle performance (n = 12, 44%), and consumer perceptions (n = 12, 44%). Findings suggest a widespread recognition of animal welfare's importance within sustainable beef production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Edwards-Callaway
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; (M.D.); (L.D.); (B.M.)
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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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Ueda S, Yoshida Y, Kebede B, Kitamura C, Sasaki R, Shinohara M, Fukuda I, Shirai Y. New Implications of Metabolites and Free Fatty Acids in Quality Control of Crossbred Wagyu Beef during Wet Aging Cold Storage. Metabolites 2024; 14:95. [PMID: 38392987 PMCID: PMC10890485 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14020095] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Efficient cold-chain delivery is essential for maintaining a sustainable global food supply. This study used metabolomic analysis to examine meat quality changes during the "wet aging" of crossbred Wagyu beef during cold storage. The longissimus thoracic (Loin) and adductor muscles (Round) of hybrid Wagyu beef, a cross between the Japanese Black and Holstein-Friesian breeds, were packaged in vacuum film and refrigerated for up to 40 days. Sensory evaluation indicated an increase in the umami and kokumi taste owing to wet aging. Comprehensive analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified metabolite changes during wet aging. In the Loin, 94 metabolites increased, and 24 decreased; in the Round, 91 increased and 18 decreased. Metabolites contributing to the umami taste of the meat showed different profiles during wet aging. Glutamic acid increased in a cold storage-dependent manner, whereas creatinine and inosinic acid degraded rapidly even during cold storage. In terms of lipids, wet aging led to an increase in free fatty acids. In particular, linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, increased significantly among the free fatty acids. These results provide new insight into the effects of wet aging on Wagyu-type beef, emphasizing the role of free amino acids, organic acids, and free fatty acids generated during cold storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Ueda
- Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - Yuka Yoshida
- Japan Meat Science and Technology Institute, Tokyo 150-0013, Japan
| | - Biniam Kebede
- Department of Food Science, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Chiaki Kitamura
- Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - Ryo Sasaki
- Food Oil and Fat Research Laboratory, Miyoshi Oil & Fat Co., Ltd., Tokyo 124-8510, Japan
| | - Masakazu Shinohara
- The Integrated Center for Mass Spectrometry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan
| | - Itsuko Fukuda
- Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Shirai
- Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan
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Kumar P, Abubakar AA, Verma AK, Umaraw P, Adewale Ahmed M, Mehta N, Nizam Hayat M, Kaka U, Sazili AQ. New insights in improving sustainability in meat production: opportunities and challenges. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023; 63:11830-11858. [PMID: 35821661 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2096562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Treating livestock as senseless production machines has led to rampant depletion of natural resources, enhanced greenhouse gas emissions, gross animal welfare violations, and other ethical issues. It has essentially instigated constant scrutiny of conventional meat production by various experts and scientists. Sustainably in the meat sector is a big challenge which requires a multifaced and holistic approach. Novel tools like digitalization of the farming system and livestock market, precision livestock farming, application of remote sensing and artificial intelligence to manage production and environmental impact/GHG emission, can help in attaining sustainability in this sector. Further, improving nutrient use efficiency and recycling in feed and animal production through integration with agroecology and industrial ecology, improving individual animal and herd health by ensuring proper biosecurity measures and selective breeding, and welfare by mitigating animal stress during production are also key elements in achieving sustainability in meat production. In addition, sustainability bears a direct relationship with various social dimensions of meat production efficiency such as non-market attributes, balance between demand and consumption, market and policy failures. The present review critically examines the various aspects that significantly impact the efficiency and sustainability of meat production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Kumar
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Production and Biodiversity, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Abubakar Ahmed Abubakar
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Production and Biodiversity, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Akhilesh Kumar Verma
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pramila Umaraw
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Muideen Adewale Ahmed
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nitin Mehta
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Muhammad Nizam Hayat
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ubedullah Kaka
- Department of Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Awis Qurni Sazili
- Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Production and Biodiversity, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Halal Products Research Institute, Putra Infoport, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Ma J, Liu H, Liu M, Xu J, Lu J, Cao S, Li S, Ma S, Wang Z, Zhu X, Li D, Sun H, Shi Y, Cui Y. Effects of Diets Combining Peanut Vine and Whole-Plant Corn Silage on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Rumen Microbiota of Simmental Crossbred Cattle. Foods 2023; 12:3786. [PMID: 37893679 PMCID: PMC10606686 DOI: 10.3390/foods12203786] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peanut vine is a typical peanut by-product and can be used as a quality roughage resource. Whole-plant corn silage is a commonly used roughage. However, few studies have investigated the effects of diets combining peanut vine and whole-plant corn silage on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, rumen fermentation and microbiota of beef cattle. To investigate these effects, eighty Simmental crossbred cattle (body weight, 451.27 ± 10.38 kg) approximately 14 months old were randomly divided into four treatments for a 90-day feeding experiment. A one-way design method was used in this experiment. According to the roughage composition, the cattle were divided into a control treatment of 45% wheat straw and 55% whole-plant corn silage (WG), and three treatments of 25% peanut vine and 75% whole-plant corn silage (LPG), 45% peanut vine and 55% whole-plant corn silage (MPG), and 65% peanut vine and 35% whole-plant corn silage (HPG), and the concentrate was the same for all four treatment diets. The results showed that compared to the WG group, the MPG group experienced an increase in their average daily feed intake of 14%, an average daily gain of 32%, and an increase in SOD activity in the spleen of 33%; in the meat, dry matter content increased by 11%, crude protein by 9%, and ether extract content by 40%; in the rumen, the NH3-N content was reduced by 36%, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased (p < 0.05). These results showed the composition of 45% peanut vine and 55% whole-plant corn silage in the roughage improved growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, rumen fermentation, and microbiota of beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixiang Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
| | - Hua Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
| | - Mengqi Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
| | - Junying Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
| | - Jiading Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
| | - Shixi Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
| | - Shouren Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
| | - Sen Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
- Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Henan Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Zhichang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
- Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Henan Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
- Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Henan Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Defeng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
- Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Henan Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Hao Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
- Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Henan Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Yinghua Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
- Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Henan Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Yalei Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China (Y.C.)
- Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Henan Forage Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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Kępińska-Pacelik J, Biel W, Natonek-Wiśniewska M, Krzyścin P. Assessment of adulteration in the composition of dog food based on DNA identification by real-time PCR. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2023.115609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
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Opheim TS, Sarturi JO, Rodrigues BM, Nightingale K, Brashears M, Reis BQ, Ballou MA, Miller M, Casas DE. Effects of a novel direct-fed microbial on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal morphology of beef feedlot steers. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad404. [PMID: 38069626 PMCID: PMC10760505 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad404] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The effects of a novel direct-fed microbial (DFM) on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, digestibility, ruminal morphology, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile of finishing steers were evaluated. Single-source Angus-crossbred yearling steers (n = 144; initial body weight (BW) = 371 ± 19 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design. Steers were blocked by initial BW and randomly assigned to treatments (12 pens/treatment; 4 steers/pen). Treatments included (A) CONTROL (no DFM, tylosin, or monensin, (B) MONTY (monensin sodium [330 mg/animal-daily] and tylosin phosphate [90 mg/animal-daily]), and (C) MONPRO (monensin sodium [same as previous] and Lactobacillus salivarius L28 [1 × 106 CFU/animal-daily]). Treatments were included in a steam-flaked corn-based finisher diet offered once daily using a clean-bunk management for ~149 d. The digestibility assessment was performed from days 70 to 74. Ruminal fluid and rumen tissue samples were collected at the slaughter for VFA profile and papillae morphology analyses, respectively. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with pen serving as the experimental unit, treatment as fixed effect, and BW block as random effect. Steers offered MONPRO had on average 5.3% less (P < 0.01) dry matter intake (9.56 kg/d) compared with either CONTROL (10.16 kg/d) or MONTY (9.96 kg/d). The carcass-adjusted final BW (613 kg; P = 0.23), overall average daily gain (1.64 kg/d; P = 0.23), and gain-efficiency (0.165; P = 0.61) were not affected by treatments. Steers offered CONTROL had greater (P < 0.01) marbling score and tended (P = 0.06) to have less carcasses grading Select and tended (P = 0.10) to have more carcasses grading Upper-Choice, while other carcass characteristics and liver-abscesses were not affected (P ≥ 0.23) by treatments. The digestibility of nutrients (P ≥ 0.13) and the ruminal VFA profile (P ≥ 0.12) were not affected by treatments. Steers offered MONPRO tended (P = 0.09) to have 16% greater average papillae number compared to other treatments. Yearlings offered finishing diets containing L. salivarius L28 plus monensin did not affect growth performance, digestibility, or ruminal VFA, but reduced feed intake. Carcass quality was negatively affected by treatments, while animals consuming L. salivarius L28 and monensin tended to improve ruminal morphology. Current findings in ruminal morphology and feed intake may warrant further assessment of diets containing L. salivarius L28 on beef cattle food safety aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tosha S Opheim
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jhones O Sarturi
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Barbara M Rodrigues
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kendra K Nightingale
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Mindy Brashears
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Beatriz Q Reis
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Michael A Ballou
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Markus Miller
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Diego E Casas
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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Promotion and sustainable development of beef cattle farming industry in agro-pasture ecotone areas, Inner Mongolia of China: A comparison between two fattening systems. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12721. [PMID: 36685448 PMCID: PMC9849987 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The agro-pasture ecotone is distributed all around the world. In these areas, the productive land forces are decreasing, and due to the irrational economic activities and the vulnerable ecological environment in these regions occurs land degradation. This study focuses on the effect of two different fattening approaches of beef cattle and output from the economic point of view by using a cost-benefit analysis technique in the eastern agro-pasture ecotone of Inner Mongolia, China. This study considers the environmental, social, and economic costs as input factors and concludes that both fattening systems have different characteristics. The result shows that the intensive farming system has more fluctuation and instability in terms of the number of animals due to the feed shortage in the local area. In comparison, the continuous fattening system is much more efficient and sustainable in terms of cost management and benefit analysis due to the local condition of the area. The empirical results indicate that the beef cattle industry has a high marginal return. Our research highlights the need to prioritize local resources and incorporate feed-intensity analysis in livestock.
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Norton L, Maskell L, McVittie A, Smith L, Wagner M, Waterton C, Watson C. Learning from innovative practitioners: Evidence for the sustainability and resilience of pasture fed livestock systems. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.1012691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for transformational change in agriculture to address current and future issues caused by climate change, biodiversity loss and socio-ecological disruption. But change is slow to come and is hindered by a lack of transdisciplinary evidence on potential approaches which take a systems approach. The research described here was co-developed with the Pasture Fed Livestock Association in the UK to objectively evidence their practices. These include producing pasture-based meat from livestock fed on pasture and pasture-based forages alone. This approach sits alongside wider aims of fitting their practices with the ecological conditions on each individual farm to facilitate optimal production and working collaboratively through a forum for sharing knowledge. The research provides strong indications that the PFLA approach to livestock production is resilient and viable, as well as contributing to wider public goods delivery, despite variability within and between farms. It also reveals that learning and adaption of practice (through farmer experience) is central to farming using agro-ecological approaches. This fluidity of practice presents challenges for reductionist approaches to “measuring” agricultural innovations.
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Farrell LJ, Morris ST, Kenyon PR, Tozer PR. Simulating the profitability of male-sexed semen use in extensively farmed beef cow herds. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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