The sustainable transformation of the Colombian cattle sector: Assessing its circularity

Abstract

Circular food systems are increasingly acknowledged for their potential to contribute to the transition towards sustainable futures. In a circular food system, the use of finite and limited resources is minimized, and nutrients in residual streams and inedible biomass for humans are reused as inputs in the bioeconomy. Livestock has become relevant in this narrative for upcycling nutrients contained in food by-products and grass resources into nutritious food for humans without using human-edible resources. Evaluating on-going national sustainability initiatives in the livestock sector is key to determine if circularity elements are already represented and to identify new opportunities and pathways for the future. In this paper we synthetize the environmental actions promoted by different initiatives driving the sustainable transformation of Colombian cattle production systems and assess the inclusion of circularity elements in these actions. The proposed environmental actions were concentrated in the conservation of remaining natural ecosystems, zero-deforestation and the sustainable intensification of cattle production through silvopastoral and paddock rotational systems. Circularity was addressed by some initiatives via the use organic fertilizers and the use of manure as fertilizers or feedstock for bioenergy generation. However, given that cattle farming is often practiced in low-input systems where the collection of by-products for reutilization (e.g., manure) is not always feasible, these actions are expected to have limited impact in the sector. Silvopastoral systems can positively promote circularity by creating the conditions for internal nutrient recycling via litterfall, biological nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and presence of beneficial insects. However, to avoid food-feed competition and to remain circular, these should only be installed in agricultural areas unsuitable for crop production. In areas where crops can grow, other production systems that prioritize the production of plant biomass for human consumption (i.e., agrosilvopastoral systems, mixed crop-livestock systems or forms of crop intercropping) should be considered.

Economic-environmental assessment of silvo-pastoral systems in Colombia: An ecosystem service perspective

“…While the benefits of scaling SPS are substantial, it's crucial to also acknowledge the potential unintended consequences of widespread adoption. Parodi et al [ 178 ], for instance, advocate for implementing SPS primarily in areas unfit for crop production to mitigate unwanted competition with other agricultural systems. However, this approach may introduce negative outcomes, as evidenced by increasing deforestation trends observed when cattle intensification takes place on marginal lands [ 179 , 180 ], particularly when land tenure is unclear [ 181 ].…”

Characterization of the Cattle Production Systems in the Department of Cundinamarca (Colombia), Proposals for Sustainability

“…The natural pastures are usually overgrazed, which leads to the degradation of soils and water resources as well as deforestation when the animals receive limited supplementation of forages and concentrates and have low productivity (daily gain weight <0.5 kg per day) and stocking densities lower than 0.5 Animal Unit (A.U) per ha (1 A.U = 454 kg) [51,62,63]. The systems of Cluster 3 might have a competitive advantage in market niches that demand quality and "natural animal products" associated with the perceived positive ecosystem services and landscape conservation if the government, community and private sector promote the replace of extensive pasture lands with agrosilvopastoral systems that integrate crops, trees, pastures and livestock according to goals established by the nation to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to promote sustainable livestock systems [64].…”

Sustainability of dairy farming in Colombia’s High Andean region

“…However, productivity levels per unit area and per animal at the national level are very low, with an average carrying capacity of 0.7 cattle per hectare (ICA-Fedegán, 2020), with a predominance of extensive livestock systems (Vergara, 2010) that generate environmental impacts common to livestock at a global scale (Herrero et al, 2009;Gerber et al, 2013). Livestock activities are widespread across the country, especially in the Andean, Caribbean, and Orinoquia regions, encompassing over 85% of the national herd (Parodi et al, 2022). A portion of Colombia's livestock production takes place within biodiverse and fragile ecosystems, including lowland tropical forests, dry forests, wetlands, and the High Andean region.…”