Livestock breeding for sustainability to mitigate global warming, with the emphasis on developing countries

Abstract

Global warming is predicted to have a profound effect on livestock production in developing countries. An improved understanding of the adaptation of livestock to such changing production environments is thus important, but the measurement of adaptation is complex and difficult. Proxy-indicators for adaptation, such as reproductive and production traits, however, can be used. Livestock industries have a responsibility to reduce the release of greenhouse gases (i.e. the carbon footprint) and water use (i.e. the water footprint). An effective way of decreasing the carbon and water footprints from livestock is to reduce livestock numbers and increase the production per animal. Increased production generates less greenhouse gas emissions per unit of livestock product. Proper definition of breeding objectives and trait definition is essential in implementing efficient breeding systems to cope with climate change. Sophisticated statistical models continue to support animal breeding and improvement, especially with respect to production traits. Traits linked to fertility and survival are still problematic and appropriate genetic technology to properly characterize these traits needs to be developed. Gene or marker-assisted selection may play an important role in selection for disease and parasite resistance or tolerance, since it is generally difficult to measure these traits directly. Strategies that utilize breeding values derived from genomic analyses may speed up the process of breeding animals with higher and more efficient production and that are adapted to the changing environments as a result of global warming. However, both genetic and epigenetic controls influence genetic expression and should be taken into account when formulating breeding programmes. Subsistence farmers keep livestock for multiple purposes and the formulation of breeding objectives/strategies will have to consider these dynamics. ________________________________________________________________________________

Enteric methane output from selected herds of beef cattle raised under extensive arid rangelands

“…Most of the sub-Saharan African countries have to lower their carbon footprint, because of lower digestion efficiency of forages from poor quality rangelands, when expressed at an individual animal level (Avetisyan et al 2011). Generally, ruminants reared extensively have a low footprint per unit area than those reared under intensively grain-fed systems, although on the contrary they produce higher footprint when expressed on an emissions/kg product (emissions intensity) basis (Garnett 2010;Scholtz et al 2013). Currently, South Africa is one of the highest producers of greenhouse gasses (GHG) (CH 4 included) in subSaharan Africa (Chevallier 2008).…”

Geographical influence of heat stress on milk production of Holstein dairy cattle on pasture in South Africa under current and future climatic conditions

“…This is particularly relevant to Holstein dairy herds on pasture, which are concentrated in the eastern and southern parts of the country. In addition, South Africa is one of the regions of the world that will be most vulnerable to future climate variability and change (Scholtz et al, 2013;Schulze, 2010). As hot and humid climatic conditions become more extreme, the negative impact on milk production will become more severe.…”

Research and development on climate change and greenhouse gases in support of climate-smart livestock production and a vibrant industry

“…the water footprint) in order to ensure future sustainability. This can be done through improved production efficiency, breeding to reduce the carbon footprint of livestock products by implementing new or adapted climate-smart production systems, by the use of known and new technologies that can limit GHG emissions and turn waste into assets, and by promoting sustainable human diets with low environmental impacts (Capper, 2013;Scholtz et at., 2013a) Both these aspects should be the focus of any climate change related livestock research and development programme to support best practices (climate-smart) in livestock production in the era of climate change. The information on research and development presented in this article is mainly influenced by: • The National Conference on Global Change that was held in Boksburg from 26 to 28 November, 2012.…”

“…Increased productivity generates less GHG emissions per unit of livestock product (Scholtz et at., 2013a). Production efficiency can be improved through breeding, feeding management and alternative production systems; all these strategies should be researched.…”