Chapter 5 - Nutrition, feeding and management of beef cattle in intensive and extensive production systems

Abstract

Globally there are approximately 1billion beef cattle which are raised in both intensive and extensive production systems. Even in intensive production systems, forage usually accounts for more than 80% of the feed, with calves only receiving high grain diets during a 3–4month finishing period. The majority of beef cattle are maintained on vast areas of tame and native pastures, where the rumen microbial population converts consumed forages into metabolic products that support the production of protein, mineral and vitamin-rich meat. Production efficiency is higher and the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions lower in intensive than extensive systems. Intensive systems rely more on the use of grains and by-products that are deemed unfit for human consumption, but these feeds can promote digestive disturbances if not properly fed. Intensive systems can also promote disease transmission and the accumulation of nutrients in the form of manure at the site of production. Extensive tame and native pastures harbor vast stores of carbon and promote biodiversity, as these ecosystems are among the most threatened on the planet. Pastures must be managed in a manner that optimizes forage quality while avoiding overgrazing. However, these regions will only produce a reasonable quantity of food for humans if cattle are maintained as an integral component of these ecosystems. If the future demand for beef is to be satisfied, steps need to be taken to adapt beef production systems to climate change. Sustainable intensification of beef production systems is likely the only way to achieve this goal and will require precision feeding, additives that improve efficiency and advanced molecular techniques, like gene editing, to accelerate genetic progress. Humanity needs to accept that sustainable intensification of beef production is a prerequisite to satisfy the future demand for meat.