The relevance of methane emissions from beef production and the challenges of the Argentinean beef production platform

Rearte, D.H.; Pordomingo, A. J.

doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.06.021

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In Argentina, one of the large beef cattle countries, in which the majority of animals are raised on grass-based systems, CH 4 emission intensity ranged from 37 kg CO 2 -eq/kg CW (year 2008) to 40 kg CO 2 -eq/kg CW (year 2010). The values were somewhat high compared with results from previous years owing to lower production efficiency caused by forage shortage in a long-lasting drought (Rearte & Pordomingo, 2014).…”

Section: Beef Cattlecontrasting

confidence: 56%

Methane, nitrous oxide emissions and mitigation strategies for livestock in developing countries: A review

Forabosco¹,

Chitchyan²,

Mantovani³

2017

SA J. An. Sci.

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Methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) are two important greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are emitted into the atmosphere by livestock during the process of enteric fermentation and manure management. Developing countries produce a large quantity of those emissions, caused mainly by inefficient animal rearing systems, feed production and manure management. This paper outlines the CH 4 and N 2 O emitted from livestock in developing countries and the mitigation actions that could be put in place to reduce atmospheric emissions and increase animal productivity. Emission intensity expresses emission (CO 2 equivalents) per unit of product and describes it in relation to the capacity of local animals to produce from local resources. Developing countries are characterized by low production per animal and, consequently, high emission intensity. The emission intensity of dairy cattle in developing countries ranges from 2 to 9 kg CO 2 -eq/kg fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) and in only a few cases is below 2 kg CO 2 -eq/kg FPCM. In sub-Saharan Africa, the average emission intensity is 7.5 kg CO 2 -eq/kg FPCM for dairy cattle, 71 kg CO 2 -eq/kg of carcass weight for beef cattle, 6.9 kg CO 2 -eq/kg FPCM for sheep and goats, and 5 kg CO 2 -eq/kg eggs for chickens. Taking into account the limited economic and technical resources in most developing countries, the application of appropriate mitigation tools is recommended to reduce the emissions of CH 4 and N 2 O gases in the atmosphere. Increasing livestock productivity through selection and feeding is the most effective tool to reduce emission intensity. ______________________________________________________________________________________

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Section: Beef Cattlecontrasting

confidence: 56%

Methane, nitrous oxide emissions and mitigation strategies for livestock in developing countries: A review

Forabosco¹,

Chitchyan²,

Mantovani³

2017

SA J. An. Sci.

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“…Most of the cattle are Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, or crossbreeds of the two, although some farms also have Creole [40]. A low productivity and potential improvement of the farm system have previously been reported in the region [10].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Beef Grazing Systems in Semi-Arid Rangelands of Central Argentina

Barrantes

Privitello

et al. 2018

Sustainability

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The livestock sector can be a major contributor to the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within the sector, beef production produces the largest proportion of the livestock sector's direct emissions. The objective of this study was to assess the on-farm GHG emissions in semi-arid rangelands in Argentina and to identify the relationship between emissions and current farm management practices. A survey recorded detailed information on farm management and characteristics. Assessments of GHG emissions were based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 protocols. The relationship between farm management and GHG emissions were identified using general linear models. Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of farms that differed from others in emissions and farm characteristics. Emissions per product sold were low on farms that had improved livestock care management, rotational grazing, received technical advice, and had high animal and land productivities. Emissions per hectare of farmland were low on farms that had low stocking rates, a low number of grazing paddocks, little or no land dedicated to improved pastures and forage crops, and low land productivity. Our results suggest that the implementation of realistic, relatively easy-to-adopt farming management practices has considerable potential for mitigating the GHG emissions in the semi-arid rangelands of central Argentina.

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“…For instance, emissions from beef are considered 42 kg CO 2 -eq/kg of product in the former but 28.7 kg CO 2 -eq/kg of product in the later. For the case of Argentina, the world average emission given by Clune et al (2017) may underestimate the real emissions from beef production (Rearte and Pordomingo, 2014).…”

Section: Ghge For the Current Diet And Four Dietary Scenariosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of current, National Dietary Guidelines and alternative diets on greenhouse gas emissions in Argentina

Arrieta

González

2018

Food Policy

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Diets have become an increasingly important driver of environmental pressures due to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), land use and other indicators of environmental impact associated with food production. In the present study we analyse the GHGE and the potential climate change mitigation through dietary changes in a country with high beef consumption, to contribute to the debate on what constitutes a healthy and sustainable diet. Data collected in the National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure 2012/2013 was used to estimate the composition of the current diet in Argentina, and four dietary scenarios were developed following the nutritional recommendations of the National Dietary Guidelines (NDG). We found that the GHGE related to the current Argentinian diet are very high (5.48 ± 1.71 kg CO 2-eq/person/day), with beef production contributing to the largest share of emissions (71%). The NDG suggest a 50% reduction of total daily intake of meats compared to current consumption, which, if adopted, would reduce GHGE in 28%, to 3.95 ± 0.96. Further reductions in GHGE appear possible while maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. The scenarios with non-ruminant meats and lacto-ovo vegetarian lead to similar GHGE, 2.11 ± 0.41 and 1.73 ± 0.37 kg CO 2-eq/day/person, respectively; and the vegan diet results in the lowest, 1.47 ± 0.34 kg CO 2-eq/day/person. Indicators for nutrient efficiencies were also developed. All nutrient efficiencies decreased in diets with bovine meat with respect to the non-ruminant, vegetarian and vegan ones. The results of this study therefore indicate that a set of dietary changes would significantly contribute to lower GHGE. Argentina's NDG should include the environmental impacts of food consumption with the aim of raising consumer awareness.

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The relevance of methane emissions from beef production and the challenges of the Argentinean beef production platform

Cited by 25 publications

References 18 publications

Methane, nitrous oxide emissions and mitigation strategies for livestock in developing countries: A review

Methane, nitrous oxide emissions and mitigation strategies for livestock in developing countries: A review

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Beef Grazing Systems in Semi-Arid Rangelands of Central Argentina

Impact of current, National Dietary Guidelines and alternative diets on greenhouse gas emissions in Argentina

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