Variability of greenhouse gas emissions and economic performances on 10 Piedmontese beef farms in North Italy

Bonnin, Dennis; Tabacco, Ernesto; Borreani, G.

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103282

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The present work represents an in-depth study of the work already published by Bonnin et al (2021) using the data of two specific years (2017)(2018) and focusing attention on a higher number of environmental impact categories and their detailed contribution analysis.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The farms typically conduct cow-calf operations and the intensive fattening of Piedmontese farm-born calves and are small-to medium-sized family farms with grass and mixed crop systems for beef production (Bonnin et al, 2021). The sampled farms were mainly located in the flatlands (average altitude 375 m above sea level) of the Cuneo, Turin, and Asti provinces, where most of the Piedmontese beef population is reared (Anaborapi, 2019), and covered a wide range of pedoclimatic and resource availability conditions (availability of irrigation water, soil fertility and land availability) that characterize Piedmontese beef farms in Northwest Italy.…”

Section: Farms Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main protein source was soybean meal, and the use of genetically modified soybean meal was allowed. Suckler cows and calves were usually kept in confinement for the whole year and were fed a diet based on conserved forages, even in some farms where they were kept at pasture for the grazing season (Bonnin et al, 2021).…”

Section: Farms Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, Morel et al (2016) highlighted that environmental impacts, energy consumption and land use of suckler beef production systems were affected by the adoption of different cropping systems and management strategies. Bonnin et al (2021) previously analysed the global warming potential and economic performances of beef production in Northern Italy. Their work focused on the variability of GWP emissions and economic results between farms and between years, but other important environmental impact categories and their contribution analysis were neglected.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of the environmental impacts of suckler calf-to-beef mixed crop-livestock farms in northern Italy: A farm-based study

Bonnin

Ferrero²,

Tabacco³

et al. 2022

Ital J Agronomy

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The issue of the environmental impacts of beef production has been extensively debated in recent years. However, the research on this theme has mainly been based on farm-model studies with limited attention to contribution analysis of impact categories and aspects linked to cropping systems and feed self-sufficiency in mixed crop-livestock farms. This study evaluated the cradle-tofarm gate environmental impacts of mixed-crop livestock farms rearing the Piedmontese beef breed and suckler calf-to-beef operations in Northwest Italy. Data have been collected from detailed on-farm questionnaires, field books, and invoices of 11 farms over two years (2017-2018). The environmental impacts have been evaluated in terms of land occupation (LO, m2/year), global warming potential (GWP, kg CO2-eq), acidification potential (AP, g SO2-eq) and non-renewable cumulative energy demand (CED, MJ), using life cycle assessment methodology. The functional unit considered was one kilogram of live weight produced at the farm gate. The Piedmontese beef production system showed comparable average environmental impacts with those found in other studies, even though high variability was observed in the studied farms. The GWP averaged 15.7 kg of CO2 eq/kg LW and ranged from 12.1 to 17.6 kg of CO2 eq/kg LW. The CED, LO and AP were on average 62.4 MJ/kg LW, 18.5 m2/y/kg LW and 305 g SO2 eq/kg LW, respectively. Differences in environmental impacts and GWP contribution analysis were mainly due to differences in cropping system management strategies and the consequent levels of feed self-sufficiency. A positive effect of high fertility and animal productivity was observed on the GWP (r=0.62; P<0.01), highlighting the importance of improving efficiency of these aspects for the reduction of emissions. From the contribution analysis of impact categories, the high cost of purchased feeds (in particular protein feeds), transport, and mineral fertilizers for feed production were highly relevant. However further research is needed to confirm these findings. Highlights - Study of 11 farms for two years. - High relevance of purchased feeds on environmental impacts. - Productive and reproductive performances are key points in reducing environmental impacts. - Importance of the valorisation of farm crop surfaces to satisfy animals’ needs.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Farms Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Farms Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Evaluation of the environmental impacts of suckler calf-to-beef mixed crop-livestock farms in northern Italy: A farm-based study

Bonnin

Ferrero²,

Tabacco³

et al. 2022

Ital J Agronomy

Self Cite

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“…When grazing bulls, better results are obtained by using intensive feeding [ 10 ]. Bull calves reach slaughter maturity early and achieve optimal final body weight, and thus burden the environment to a lesser extent [ 11 ]. Moreover, bulls are a better choice than steers due to a higher feed efficiency and larger growth [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Rearing System and Fattening Intensity on the Chemical Composition, Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Attributes of Meat from Young Crossbred (Holstein-Friesian × Hereford) Bulls

Nogalski

Pogorzelska-Przybyłek

Sobczuk-Szul

et al. 2022

Animals

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The study was aimed at determining the effects of the rearing system and intensity of fattening on beef physicochemical properties and sensory quality, fatty acid composition, and mineral compounds and vitamins concentration. The study was conducted using meat from 38 young, crossbred bull calves, which were reared with nurse cows (C) or were fed milk replacer (R). In the study, intensive (Int) or semi-intensive (SInt) fattening system were applied. The bulls were slaughtered at the age of 560 days and samples of the longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle were collected. Meat from C bulls was juicier (p < 0.05) and had a higher concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and α-tocopherol, compared with meat from R bulls. The Int system resulted in the intramuscular fat (IMF) content increase (p < 0.01) and reduced shear force (p < 0.05), compared with the SInt system. Meat from Int bulls had a better eating quality and a higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs), Zn, and Fe; however, it had a lower proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and α-tocopherol concentration than meat obtained from SInt bulls.

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The effects of agricultural development on CO2 emissions: empirical evidence from the most populous developing countries

Alavijeh

Salehnia

et al. 2022

Environ Dev Sustain

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Variability of greenhouse gas emissions and economic performances on 10 Piedmontese beef farms in North Italy

Cited by 12 publications

References 44 publications

Evaluation of the environmental impacts of suckler calf-to-beef mixed crop-livestock farms in northern Italy: A farm-based study

Evaluation of the environmental impacts of suckler calf-to-beef mixed crop-livestock farms in northern Italy: A farm-based study

Effects of Rearing System and Fattening Intensity on the Chemical Composition, Physicochemical Properties and Sensory Attributes of Meat from Young Crossbred (Holstein-Friesian × Hereford) Bulls

The effects of agricultural development on CO2 emissions: empirical evidence from the most populous developing countries

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