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Jul 23, 2024 · Increasing the productivity of livestock through better feed, health, husbandry, and breeding can reduce the emissions intensity of livestock (meaning more food could be produced with the same or less emissions).
Aug 5, 2021 · I truly believe that every farmer could make changes, whether large or small, to work more closely with nature in a way that benefits both parties – so with that in mind, here are some of the steps I’d recommend following if you wish to lessen your livestock farm’s climate ‘hoofprint’…
- Optimising Output
- Feed and Grazing
- Slurry and Manure
- Fuel and Energy
- Genetics and Breeding
Achieving optimal production can significantly cut a farm’s greenhouse gas emissions. Prof Capper explains that optimal means a balance of maximising output within the tightest management timeframe possible while still hitting quality targets.
Feed is a significant factor in a farm’s carbon footprint, says Dr Foot. It is particularly high in the pig sector, where about 80% of a unit’s carbon footprint can be attributed to feed. Estimates for poultry units are similarly high. On dairy units, the contribution of feed accounts for about 28% of the footprint, while for beef and lamb the figu...
In the past, farmers would have spread livestock slurry and manure according to the calendar or when storage capacities were reached, says Prof Capper. But this approach leads to higher emissions and wastes a potentially valuable resource, she says. Instead, slurry and manure management should be viewed as an opportunity to cut emissions at spreadi...
Fuel is a major contributor to emissions from indoor pig and poultry units, accounting for about 10% of their greenhouse gas output. For most other livestock units, the contribution of fuel is far lower.
Long-term solutions to cutting emissions at source – the animal itself – are developing fast. Launched in 2021, the AHDB’s EnviroCow venture is a genetic index that links lifespan, production, fertility and a feed conversion to reflect an animal’s likely carbon footprint. The scale from -3 to +3 highlights the sire’s potential to pass on genes that...
- Jonathan Riley
Sep 14, 2021 · Reducing your cow herd’s environmental “hoofprints” in the pasture can often lead to money savings and increased efficiencies for the producer. This was the key takeaway from beef sustainability research headed up by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and presented during a session at the 2021 Cattlemen’s College Aug. 9-10, in ...
Oct 27, 2021 · Adapting farming practices can help livestock producers reduce their carbon footprint, increasing profitability as well as the environmental credentials of British meat.
- Johann Tasker
Jan 1, 2023 · There are three main areas that farmers with industrial or mixed livestock systems can manage to reduce their carbon hoofprint: how they handle manure, what they feed their animals, and how they grow the feed for their livestock.
Nov 3, 2021 · A return to mixed farming, with diverse grasses and livestock integrated with crop production and agroforestry, would rebuild natural soil fertility and store significant quantities of carbon. Farming, in particular grass fed livestock, have the potential to be a nature-based solution to climate change.
