Farm returns to carbon credit creation with intensive rotational grazing

A qualidade física do solo sob sistemas de pastejo contínuo e rotacionado foi avaliada pelo Intervalo Hídrico Ótimo (IHO). A amostragem foi realizada na área experimental da Embrapa Gado de Corte. Foi estudado um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico. Foram avaliados quatro piquetes, sendo dois no sistema de pastejo contínuo e dois no sistema de pastejo rotacionado. No sistema de pastejo contínuo, implementado com a espécie Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, foram retiradas 30 amostras por piquete, não tendo um dos piquetes recebido adubação de manutenção (Cs), enquanto o outro havia recebido adubação bianual de manutenção (Cc). No sistema de pastejo rotacionado, implementado com a espécie Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia, foram retiradas 30 amostras por piquete; em um dos piquetes, o resíduo pós-pastejo era mantido entre 2,0 e 2,5 t ha-1 de matéria seca total (MST) (R1), enquanto no outro era mantido entre 3,0 e 3,5 t ha-1 MST (R2). As amostras foram submetidas a um gradiente de tensão de água e, posteriormente, utilizadas nas determinações da densidade do solo (Ds), resistência do solo à penetração (RP), umidade volumétrica (tetav) e do IHO. O sistema de pastejo rotacionado apresentou piores condições físicas do solo para o crescimento vegetal, avaliadas pelo critério do IHO. Os maiores valores de Ds e menor IHO foram observados no R1, o que foi atribuído às taxas de lotação mais elevadas aplicadas neste piquete.

This work evaluated if strategic control based on no more than three or four annual treatments is useful to control Rhipicephalus microplus infestations on cattle when it is applied to intensive rotational grazing and silvopastoral systems with high stocking rates in subtropical areas. In the intensive rotational grazing system, three annual treatments with chemical acaricides were applied on cattle in two different schemes: between spring and early summer and from late winter and late spring. Strategic control based on three treatments with chemical acaricides from late winter to late spring plus an additional fourth treatment in summer was tested in the silvopastoral system. In the intensive rotational grazing systems, the control schemes allow to reach a significant reduction in the tick load on cattle considering a time interval from spring to autumn. However, the efficacy levels were not high enough in some specific moments, namely, the tick counts of summer and autumn (there were not significant differences between treated and control groups). The scheme evaluated in the silvopastoral grazing system yielded better results than those tested for the intensive rotational system, because significant differences in tick load between treated and control groups were observed in all post-treatment counts and when the analysis was performed for the whole study period. However, values of efficacy in the count-by-count comparison were disparate, ranging from 64.1 to 99.7. Although the efficacy values obtained in the silvopastoral system were better than those of the rotational grazing systems, the total tick load on treated cattle in autumn was not low enough (mean abundance values 25.14 and 38.14). Ticks were more evenly distributed among hosts in late summer and autumn than in spring or early summer, where few hosts carry most of the ticks. Some management strategies as intensive rotational systems or silvopastoral structures can lead to a more efficient forage use, but they imply greater tick challenge than in extensive grazing systems. In these situations, the schemes of strategic control bases on three or four annual treatments should be complemented with additional tactical treatments in late summer or autumn.

Role of host and environment in mediating reduced gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep due to intensive rotational grazing

Intensive rotational grazing assists control of gastrointestinal nematodosis of sheep in a cool temperate environment with summer-dominant rainfall

Context Scientific and anecdotal reports conflict on the effects of intensive rotational grazing (IRG) on cattle growth, and very limited objective data are available from cattle grazing in northern Australia that producers can use to decide whether to adopt IRG. Aims This study aimed to compare liveweight gain and sequestration of soil organic carbon when cattle grazed buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) under either continuous grazing (CG) or IRG. Methods In each year of this 9-year study, a cohort of Brahman and Brahman-cross weaners was randomly allocated to IRG and CG treatments. They grazed predominantly buffel pasture at Douglas Daly Research Farm from shortly after weaning for about a year, at which time they were replaced by the next year’s group, and the average liveweight gains of the treatments over the post-weaning year were compared each year for 9 years. Soil organic carbon was measured in the topsoil (0–30 cm) twice each year for 5 years (2009–14) and changes in carbon stocks over time were compared between treatments. Key results In each year of this study, the growth of cattle grazing buffel pasture was lower under IRG than CG. In each year, liveweight gain was lower (P < 0.05) per head and per hectare under IRG. Topsoil soil organic carbon stocks did not increase in the IRG treatment over the 5 years of this study. Conclusions This study found that cattle growth, both per head and per hectare, was lower under IRG than CG, and that IRG did not result in any increase in soil organic carbon over time. Implications The lower per head and per area production from the IRG system, combined with the extra infrastructure and operating costs for IRG systems, make it unlikely that adoption of IRG would improve the profitability of cattle-grazing operations on similar pasture systems in northern Australia. However, the findings of this study may not apply to other pasture systems and environments.

Intensive grazing is a fast growing dairy production system in the USA, New Zealand, and Ireland. The key concept underlying intensive grazing systems is the substitution of cow-harvest for machinery harvest of forages. Study objectives were: (i) to determine whether randomly selected, representative dairy farms using intensive grazing were profitable, (ii) to determine whether grazing was more or less profitable than other crop enterprises, and (iii) to identify factors statistically associated with increasing intensity of grazing. Data were collected on 53 farms in a prominent dairy region of Pennsylvania in 1993. Results indicated that moderate intensive grazing achieved a $129/acre return to operator management and labor, compared with $20 and $58 returns for all hay and corn silage enterprises, respectively. Dairy enterprise returns averaged about $317/cow. Debt per cow was substantially higher for farmers increasing grazing intensity. Pasture acres per cow, high debt-to-assets, and negative cash flows were statistically associated with increasing intensity of pasture use. Thus, this study suggests that farm financial constraints of high debt and poor cash flows provide an important motivation to increase grazing intensity. A major drawback of intensive grazing is the likelihood of achieving slightly lower milk production than with confinement feeding. The primary economic benefit of intensive grazing was the reduction of costs associated with the production of pasture forage vs. production of other crops.

Native Aspen Parkland landscapes consist of a complex mosaic of plant communities, including riparian meadows, upland grasslands, and forests. Sustainable livestock production in this environment depends on an understanding of livestock grazing behavior among communities, particularly under contemporary, intensive management rotational grazing systems. This study examined seasonal patterns of absolute (kg ha-1) and relative (%) herbage utilization, as well as plant community visitation, across a Parkland landscape by 150 heifers in two rotations of a high-intensity, low-frequency grazing system. Graminoids constituted more than 92% of the total herbage utilized. Absolute graminoid utilization within each grazing period was greater (P < 0.05) throughout the growing season from riparian meadows (2003 to 2114 kg ha-1) than from upland grasslands (762 to 1041 kg ha-1) or forests (782 to 800 kg ha-1). In contrast, relative graminoid utilization remained similar (P > 0.05) among communities in either rotation, suggesting heifers grazed in proportion to graminoid availability (57–61% in first rotation, 44–54% in second rotation). Although riparian meadows represented a small fraction of the landscape (~ 4%), and provided up to 9.5% of the total forage used, the majority of herbage removal at the paddock level continued to originate from upland grasslands and forests. Patterns of visitation indicated heifers initially visited riparian meadows more often within each 3–4 day grazing period, regardless of entry date. While upland grasslands were least visited in June, forests were least visited in August. Based on these utilization and visitation patterns, we discuss the implications of using high-density, rotational livestock grazing for the sustainable management of Aspen Parkland rangelands. Key words: Aspen forest, cattle grazing, forage quality, herbage utilization, riparian meadow, rotational grazing, upland grassland

Forage management practices used in production of US grass-fed beef

To achieve the goal of "carbon peak and neutrality," the strict requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions control in the agricultural sector were recommended in relevant plans for Beijing during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Through collecting agricultural activity data and calculating and screening the emission factors, the amount and emission characteristics of agricultural GHG emissions in Beijing in 2020 were estimated and set as the baseline condition. On this basis, the GHG emissions in 2025 with optimized measurements implemented, which were selected in combination with the natural conditions and planting-breeding mode of Beijing, were set as the reduction condition. The emission reduction potential and its distribution during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period were predicted simultaneously. Meanwhile, the reduction effects on the GHG emissions of optimized measurements were evaluated. In addition, relevant policy recommendations on GHG reduction were proposed accordingly. The results revealed that the total agricultural GHG emissions in Beijing were estimated to be 456000 t (CO2-eq) in 2020, primarily from sources of animal intestinal fermentation and manure management, with contribution rates of 50.7% and 26.7%, respectively. Spatially, it was mainly distributed in districts with large livestock and poultry breeding scales, such as Shunyi District, Miyun District, and Yanqing District, etc. It was predicted that in 2025, the total agricultural GHG emissions would be 349000 t (CO2-eq), and the emission reduction potential in the 14th Five-Year Plan period would be 107000 t (CO2-eq). Animal intestinal fermentation would be the emission source with the largest reduction potential (60000 tons, CO2-eq), followed by the emission source of animal manure management (37000 tons, CO2-eq). Adjusting fodder composition and optimizing manure management were analyzed to be the most effective optimized measurements for agricultural GHG emission reduction. Moreover, the emission reduction potential of CH4 would be greater than that of N2O. The emission reduction potential would be mainly distributed in Miyun District, Shunyi District, Yanqing District, Fangshan District, Tongzhou District, and other suburbs with large livestock and poultry breeding scales, accounting for more than 10% of the total emission reduction potential for each. These regions with large emission reduction potential should be prioritized and then the assessments should be extended to the whole city. The measurements were recommended as follows:① the research and promotion of technologies such as fodder optimization and the efficient treatment of manure should be strengthened, ② the scope of the combination of planting and breeding model should be expanded to promote the development of circular agriculture, and ③ relevant standards, guidelines, and specifications for green and low-carbon agriculture should be formulated, and the regulatory and policy system for synergy reduction of agricultural pollution and GHG should be developed.

A preliminary investigation of the effect of solar panels and rotation frequency on the grazing behavior of sheep (Ovis aries) grazing dormant pasture

Major US electric utility climate pledges have the potential to collectively reduce power sector emissions by one-third

Intensive rotational grazing systems (also called cell grazing, holistic grazing or time-controlled grazing) are often implemented to improve production and environmental outcomes. Over recent years there has been considerable interpretation and adaption of the holistic principles that guide the management of these systems. In southern Australia, this has led to an increasing use of longer rest periods for intensive rotational grazing. This experiment was established to compare three intensive rotational grazing strategies (fast rotation [FR], average 57-day rest; slow rotation [SR], average 114-day rest; and flexible grazing [FX], based on availability of green herbage mass) with continuous grazing (CG) to assess the impact these systems have on vegetation and diet quality. The grazing treatments were run across three production zones (PZs) in the landscape (low [LPZ], medium [MPZ] and high [HPZ]) to determine whether management by landscape interactions influenced vegetation. Pasture composition was mostly influenced by PZ in the landscape with Microlaena stipoides and Holcus lanatus more prevalent in the HPZ and Rytidosperma spp. more common in the LPZ. The intensive rotational grazing treatments all had greater herbage mass and ground cover than CG. Composition change often occurred in one PZ and not another (e.g. Hypochaeris radicata increased with SR in the LPZ), or there were contrasting effects in different parts of the landscape (e.g. M. stipoides increased with FR compared with CG in the HPZ but decreased in the LPZ). Diet quality was lower for the SR compared with the other grazing treatments. Maintaining a post-grazing benchmark of >0.5 t green DM ha−1 was associated with a higher diet quality. Based on this two-and-a-half-year study run during poor seasons, it can be concluded that intensive rotational grazing can be managed, with fast and flexible rotations, to achieve per head animal performance similar to CG, but with higher herbage mass, ground cover and a desirable pasture composition.

As part of the Cicerone Project’s farmlet experiment, conducted on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, between July 2000 and December 2006, this study assessed the effects of varying soil fertility, pasture species and grazing management on the botanical composition of three 53-ha farmlets subjected to different management strategies. Starting with the same initial conditions, the farmlets were managed to reach different target levels of soil phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S); Farmlet A aimed at 60 mg/kg of Colwell P and 10 mg/kg S (KCl40) whereas Farmlets B and C both aimed at 20 and 6.5 mg/kg of P and S, respectively. Pastures were renovated on six out of eight paddocks on Farmlet A, but only one paddock of each of Farmlets B (typical management) and C (intensive rotational grazing) was renovated. Flexible rotational grazing was employed on Farmlets A and B (each of eight paddocks) while Farmlet C used intensive rotational grazing over its 17 major paddocks, which were further subdivided into 37 subpaddocks. This paper focuses on the botanical composition dynamics observed across all three farmlets and the explanatory variables associated with those changes. Eight assessments of botanical composition were carried out at approximately annual intervals across each of the 37 major paddocks distributed across the farmlets and the results for each of 49 species were aggregated into seven functional groups for analysis. The strongest correlation found was a negative curvilinear relationship between sown perennial grasses (SPG) and warm-season grasses (WSG). The most significant factors affecting the functional group changes were soil P, sowing phase, paddock and date. These factors led to significant increases in SPG and correspondingly lower levels of WSG on Farmlet A compared with Farmlet B. Farmlets B and C experienced similar, declining levels of SPG, and increasing levels of WSG suggesting that intensive rotational grazing did not lead to substantial changes in botanical composition, compared with flexible rotational grazing, in spite of the fact that intensive rotational grazing had much longer grazing rests and shorter graze periods than the other two farmlets. Soil P levels were also significantly associated with levels of cool-season annual grasses, legumes and herbs, especially on Farmlet A. In general, the largest differences in botanical composition were between Farmlet A and the other two farmlets; these differences were most closely associated with those plants categorised as sown, introduced, C3 pasture species. The levels of legume were generally low on all farmlets, due largely to the dry seasons experienced over most of the trial. Efforts to increase the legume composition on all farmlets were more successful on Farmlet A than on the other two farmlets due, presumably, to higher soil fertility on Farmlet A. Farmlet C, with its long rest periods and short graze periods, had a small proportion of legumes, due to the competitive effects of the accumulated tall grass herbage between grazings. The ‘typical’ management of Farmlet B also resulted in low levels of legume as well as increased ‘patchiness’ of the pastures and increased numbers of thistles.

Using remote sensing to estimate the nutritive characteristics of pasture in livestock systems is a rapidly developing area that has the potential to improve pasture management and utilisation and in turn improve livestock productivity. The Copernicus Sentinel-2 paired satellites have shown promise in predicting pasture nutritive characteristics and have a pixel size small enough to be able to identify intra-paddock nutrient variation in rotational dairy grazing systems where paddock sizes are small. This study sought to develop nutrient prediction models using a dataset of nine Sentinel-2A and -2B satellite images, by linking imagery to perennial ryegrass dairy pasture samples cut within known pixels of the images in the days directly after each cloud-free overpass. Just before destructive pasture sampling, a handheld, proximal, hyperspectral sensor was used to gather spectral signatures (400–2500 nm) from areas to be sampled. Pasture samples (n = 200) were analysed using wet chemistry techniques for seven nutritive characteristics. The dry matter concentration of the samples was also measured, creating eight variates to be modelled in total. The Sentinel-2 data from within the selected pixels was extracted and used to create input features for Random Forest prediction models. Input features included the raw multispectral bands, common vegetation indices, and independent variables ‘season’ and ‘month’. Predictive models were also developed from the hyperspectral sensor data using Partial Least Squares Regression. For both modelling types, variable selection was used to reduce model inputs to only those sensitive to each nutrient. Results comparing the final models in an independent validation test showed similar predictive performance of the Sentinel-2 satellite and the proximal hyperspectral sensor for all variates of interest, shown by mean absolute errors that were not significantly different. In each case, the dry matter concentration was the best predicted variable (Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (LCCC) > 0.90) with excellent potential to be quantified by Sentinel-2 satellites. Crude protein, metabolisable energy, neutral detergent fibre, non-fibre carbohydrate, and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations were also predicted with good to moderate accuracy by both sensors (LCCC between 0.50 and 0.80). These models would be sufficiently accurate for making qualitative predictions (e.g., grouping into high to low categories). Ash and acid detergent fibre concentrations were poorly predicted (LCCC < 0.50) and these models would not be recommended for further use. It was concluded that multispectral data from Sentinel-2 has great potential to estimate pasture nutrient concentrations for intensively grazed pastures such as those used in dairy systems in temperate regions.

Climate change is a reality and global surface temperature is projected to rise substantially in the next 80 years. Agriculture practices will have to adapt to climate change, and also help to mitigate this effect using, among other strategies, forest conservation and management. Silvopastoral systems have been adopted in tropical climate livestock areas but their benefits on thermal comfort and reproductive performance of beef cows are not completely known. Therefore, our aims were to compare the microclimate of silvopastoral and intensive rotational unshaded grazing systems in different months and to evaluate physiological variables (Exp. 1 and 2), metabolism, and in vitro embryo production (Exp. 2) in crossbred beef females. Our hypothesis is that the silvopastoral system can improve the thermal comfort of beef heifers and cows and, consequently, also improve dry matter intake, body weight gain, and in vitro embryo production when compared to the unshaded rotational grazing system. In Exp 1, the silvopastoral system decreased body temperature and increased welfare and performance of heifers. In Exp. 2, the silvopastoral system enhanced the body weight but did not affect metabolism and the general reproductive performance, but increased the recovery rate of oocytes in primiparous cows.