Brazilian Beef Production Research Articles

Systematic Review on Sustainable Intensification Strategies in Brazilian Beef Production

Objective: To analyze studies on sustainable intensification strategies in beef production in Brazil, focusing on carbon neutralization and sustainable practices. Theoretical Framework: Addresses the relationship between livestock and environmental impacts such as deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. It explores alternatives for pasture recovery and optimized management. Method: The Web of Science and Scopus databases were used to identify and select studies. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to choose 31 relevant articles, which were used to systematize current knowledge. The PRISMA Protocol (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used for the systematic literature review. The PRISMA 2020 Flow Diagram serves as a support tool for researchers in organizing the essential steps to conduct the systematic review. Results and Discussion: The studies highlight the importance of strategies such as sustainable intensification and crop-livestock-forest integration to mitigate environmental impacts. They reveal the evolution of the terms used and the importance of public policies and technologies to mitigate emissions and promote more sustainable practices. Research Implications: Contributes to the formulation of sustainable policies and practices, reinforcing the need for integrated approaches that consider economic and environmental factors in beef production. Originality/Value: Provides an updated and critical synthesis on the topic of sustainable beef and carbon neutralization, indicating gaps and opportunities for future research and policy interventions.

Future perspectives of Brazilian beef production: what is the role of Silvopastoral systems?

Against the backdrop of changing production conditions and market requirements, it seems time has come to rethink Brazil’s beef production systems. We analyse the economic and environmental performance of three beef production systems: classic beef production system (CB), and two types of silvopastoral systems: the integrated crop-livestock-forestry system (ICLFS) and the natural regeneration system (NR) in a comparative case study analysis. We find that, though costs of production are the lowest for CB, only the ICLFS and NR case studies are generating long-term profits. While greenhouse gas emissions per kg live weight added are lowest in ICLFS, followed by NR and CB, per hectare (ha) emissions are highest in NR, followed by ICLFS and CB. Considering the system’s carbon removal, NR and potentially ICLFS are sequestering more than releasing. Additionally, the land required to produce beef is lowest in NR, followed by ICLFS and CB. Considering the additional outputs produced by ICLFS and NR, they showcase the potential of multifunctional production systems for future scenarios, where land scarcity puts land-demanding production systems, such as beef, under pressure. The three production systems perform differently depending on the indicators analysed. How they will reply to future challenges depends on the location and the specific environment. Yet, from the analysed systems, CB is the least sustainable, economically and environmentally.

Understanding nitrogen dynamics in the Brazilian beef industry: A comprehensive decadal analysis

Brazil stands as a prominent beef producer and exporter, witnessing major transformations and expansions in its production chain over the past 20 years. These changes have prompted concerns regarding waste generation and environmental pressure. This study employs material flow analysis (MFA) to quantify nitrogen flows throughout the cattle slaughter process and subsequent beef consumption in Brazil, spanning from 2011 to 2021. The analysis encompasses co-production streams like leather, tallow, viscera, and blood. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and the nitrogen cascade indicator (NCI) were used to evaluate efficiency and nitrogen accumulation in the production chain. Nitrogen inputs in the system increased by 8.47 %, while beef production rose by 7.29 %. In contrast, per capita beef consumption decreased by 1.29 kg, despite an overall consumption increase of 2.84 %, attributed to population growth in Brazil. Beef exports witnessed a notable surge of 86.03 %. Conversely, human excreta and food waste losses experienced increments of 10.88 % and 2.84 %, respectively. Examining NUE reveals the highest values during the slaughter phase (90 %), followed by processing, transportation, and storage stages (79–88 %). The consumption phase exhibited the lowest NUE values (29–34 %). Regarding the cumulative nitrogen effect, the NCI varied between 77 % and 82 % throughout the study period. This highlights opportunities for enhancing nitrogen use efficiency, particularly by addressing food waste at the consumer level. Notably, the study observes nitrogen accumulation across the Brazilian beef production chain, potentially contributing to the nitrogen cascade effect and heightening environmental pressure. Recognizing these dynamics provides avenues for targeted improvements, emphasizing the need to address nitrogen-related challenges and enhance sustainability in the beef production and consumption landscape.

Environmental Impacts of High-Quality Brazilian Beef Production: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Premium and Super-Premium Beef.

When individual purchasing power increases in society, there is a trend toward a quantitative and qualitative increase in the consumption of products. Considering the magnitude of beef production in Brazil, environmental impacts are important factors for the domestic and international markets. This study assessed a Brazilian feedlot system characterized by high animal welfare standards that produces high-quality beef that is more marbled than that produced in grass-fed systems. We assessed the environmental impacts and compared premium and super-premium beef produced in a feedlot system using a partial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Data were collected directly on the property analyzed, considering environmental inputs and outputs and economic factors associated with the production stages of each line (premium versus super-premium). The results show that high-quality beef has, beyond a greater financial cost, an environmental cost, with the super-premium line producing a 286% higher carbon footprint, 297% more eutrophication, and three times higher acidification potential and land use than the premium line. The results of the environmental impacts agree with the results of production costs, reflecting a 282.82% higher production cost in super-premium than in premium animals. Footprints of 5.0323 kg, 4.7746 kg, and 8.8858 kg CO2 eq./kg live weight gain at the feedlot were found in the three lines.

The Potential of Brazilian Beef Production from the Perspective of Effectiveness and Efficiency

The general objective of the research is to analyze the national bovine protein market in order to compare the Brazilian production and productivity in relation to the main world producers of bovine livestock, in order to discuss, under the prism of effectiveness and efficiency in the perspective of rural administration. For the analysis procedure of this work, the SWOT Matrix tool was applied, focusing on the criteria of "strength", "weakness", "threat" and "opportunity". Based on the results found in the research, it was possible to conclude that Brazil has significant chances of growth for this sector of the economy, but it will only be able to sustain itself in this market when efficiency is also part of the decision-making process. Based on the SWOT Matrix, it was observed that the “strength” of the country in this segment is concentrated, in general, in the significant available agricultural production areas and in the hegemonic technologies existing at the national level. In the field of “weakness”, it was observed that the concentration of technologies in a certain group of rural producers reduces the diversification of production technologies, which may represent a loss of competitiveness in certain market niches, mainly in those more demanding sectors. In addition, high production costs were also perceived as a “weakness” that impacts the country's competitive power. The “opportunities”, on the other hand, are more linked to the growing global demand for food, placing Brazil at the forefront of food on the planet. The “threats”, in turn, observed in this study are linked to food safety and more demanding production criteria in competitive markets, which impose, in the Brazilian reality, the need to adopt a strategic vision and greater investments in science and technology, aiming to improve the development, in the national territory, of technologies more adapted to the realities of different biomes, such as the Amazonian biome.
 Keywords: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Livestock, Cattle, Brazil.

Controversies about the inheritance of sustainability models in the Brazilian beef chain

This essay aims to propose a sustainability model applied to the Brazilian beef production chain. The proposed model seeks to integrate the sustainability indicators of the corporate models and the names of the literature, having as reference the incorporation of the Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles to the cosmovision of the Stakeholder Capitalism Model. The literature review, based on previous models on sustainability, showed that these models have gaps that need to be filled so that the materiality matrix of Socio-Environmental Reports (CSR) is effectively contemplated so that one can go beyond the rhetorical resources disseminated as greenwashing in various sustainability publications. The objective of this essay resulted in the presentation to the academy of a specific methodological tool to be applied along the beef production chain that contemplates the ESG materiality matrix in line with the Declaration of the Davos Manifesto in 2020.

Taxonomy and Functional Diversity in the Fecal Microbiome of Beef Cattle Reared in Brazilian Traditional and Semi-Intensive Production Systems.

The importance of beef production for economy of Brazil and the growing demand for animal protein across the globe warrant an improvement in the beef production system. Although most attention has been on modulation of the rumen microbiome to improve ruminant production, the role of the lower gut microbiome in host health and nutrition remains relatively unexplored. This work aimed to investigate the taxonomy and functional variations in the fecal microbiome of Brazilian beef cattle reared in two different production systems using a metagenomic approach. Sixty male beef cattle from six farms representing semi-intensive (I, n = 2) and traditional (T, n = 4) Brazilian beef production systems were enrolled in the study. Shotgun sequencing was used to characterize taxonomic and functional composition and diversity of the microbiome in fecal samples collected from each animal. Fecal samples were analyzed for copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) and stable isotopes of carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N). The fecal microbiome was influenced by the beef production systems with greater functional and lower taxonomic diversity in beef cattle feces from I systems compared with that from T systems. The concentration of N, P, and Zn was higher in beef cattle feces from I systems compared with that from T systems and was associated with taxonomic and functional profile of fecal microbiome in I system, suggesting the role of fecal nutrients in shaping system-specific microbiome. Semi-intensive management practices led to a more complex but less connected fecal microbiome in beef cattle. The microbial community in beef cattle feces from I systems was characterized by greater abundance of beneficial bacteria (phylum Firmicutes and butyrate-producing bacteria family Lachnospiraceae and genera Anaerostipes, Blautia, Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium, Roseburia, and Ruminococcus). In addition, the fecal abundance of microbial genes related to immune system, nutrient metabolism, and energy production was greater in beef cattle raised under I systems compared with that under T systems. Findings of the current study suggest that semi-intensive management practices could facilitate the development of a healthier and more efficient fecal microbiome in beef cattle by driving an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria and functional genes.

Modeling the effects of steroid implant use on the environmental and economic sustainability of Brazilian beef production.

Brazilian beef systems contribute 14.9% of global beef production, therefore given climate change concerns, there is a clear need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. This study evaluated the hypothesis that steroid implant use in Brazilian beef cattle would reduce resource use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic costs of production, thereby improving environmental and economic sustainability. A deterministic model based on beef cattle population demographics, nutrition and performance was used to quantify resource inputs and GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg of hot carcass weight (HCW) beef. System boundaries extended from cropping input manufacture to cattle arriving at the slaughterhouse. Beef systems were modeled using herd population dynamics, feed and performance data sourced from producers in four Brazilian states, with additional data from global databases. Implants were used in calves, growing and finishing cattle at low (LI), medium (MI), and high (HI) levels of performance enhancement, compared to nonimplanted (NI) controls. Feed use results were used in combination with producer-derived input costs to assess the economic impacts of implant use, including production costs and returns on investment. Improved FCE, ADG, and carcass weights conferred by implant use reduced the number of cattle and the time taken to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef. Compared to NI controls, the quantities of feed, land, water and fossil fuels required to produce 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef was reduced in implanted cattle, with reductions proportional to the performance-enhancing effect of the implant (HI > MI > LI). Implant use reduced GHG emissions per 1.0 × 106 kg HCW beef by 9.4% (LI), 12.6% (MI), or 15.8% (HI). Scaling up the MI effects to represent all eligible Brazilian cattle being implanted, revealed avoided GHG emissions equivalent to the annual exhaust emissions of 62.0 × 106 cars. Economic impacts of implant use reflected the environmental results, resulting in a greater margin for the producers within each system (cow-calf through to finishing). The 6.13% increase in kg of HCW beef produced generates a cost reduction of 3.76% and an increase in the return on invested capital of 4.14% on average. Implants offer the opportunity for Brazilian beef producers to demonstrate their dedication to improving environmental and economic sustainability through improved productivity, although care must be taken to avoid negative trade-offs.

Effects of extensive-to-intensive pasture conversion on soil nitrogen availability and CO2 and N2O fluxes in a Brazilian oxisol

Brazilian beef production has been recognized as an important path to achieve environmental, social and economic sustainability, and to ensure food security. Although, traditionally, beef production in Brazil has relied on unmanaged pastures (i.e. extensive pasture), a growing demand for beef combined with increased competition for land to grow crops without increasing deforestation has led to the incremental conversion of pastures from unmanaged to intensive systems. To better understand the implications of changing pasture management on nitrogen availability and CO2 and N2O fluxes, a field experiment simulating the extensive-to-intensive pasture conversion was set up in São Paulo State, Brazil. Soil and gas samples were collected during two 6 months periods (October, 2013 to March, 2014 and December, 2014 to May, 2015) in an area of extensive pasture (EP), which served as a control, and also in two treatment areas where pasture intensification was simulated using practices typically adopted in the region. The treatment areas included conventionally tilled pasture without inorganic fertilizer (TP) and tilled pasture with inorganic fertilizer (IP). Environmental conditions and soil characteristics were also determined during the study period. The results clearly illustrated the impacts of commonly adopted pasture management systems in Brazil. Fluxes of CO2 and N2O fluxes increased with the application of fertilizer, with CO2 averaging about 4.1, 4.0 and 5.2 g m-2 day-1, and N2O fluxes averaging 0.2, 0.3 and 0.98 mg m-2 day-1 in EP, TP and IP, respectively. Despite equal rates of fertilizer application, differences in weather conditions and soil management resulted in different emission rates and dynamics for each pasture system type. Depending on the sampling period, emissions factors were 1.55% or 0.59%. The adoption of conservation management practices is vital to prevent “hot” moments of N2O emission arising from pasture intensification in Brazil.

Environmental impacts of Brazilian beef cattle production in the Amazon, Cerrado, Pampa, and Pantanal biomes

Grazing cattle production plays a fundamental role in rural landscape conservation, food security, and bioeconomy, allowing for subsistence, income, insurance, and food around the world. Conversely, livestock is associated with negative impacts on human health, animal welfare, and ecosystems. Thereby, a broad knowledge of the impacts of pasture-based beef production is essential for proposing sustainable practices and systems, particularly in Brazil, due to its importance. In this context, this study aims to assess the environmental impacts of beef production systems characteristic of different Brazilian biomes and, thus, provide baselines that support the future development of differentiated mitigation alternatives. Four systems were defined based on the relevance of the livestock activity in the Amazon, Cerrado, Pampa, and Pantanal biomes. Its main environmental impacts and components were identified using the life cycle analysis - LCA method, during the entire productive lives of the animals. GHG emissions resulted in mean values for Brazilian beef production of 13.32 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of live weight gain. The Cerrado presented higher values of terrestrial acidification, depletion of metals and fossil fuels, freshwater and marine ecotoxicity, and particulate matter formation. The Pantanal was more impacting in terms of climate change, water depletion, freshwater and marine eutrophication, and the photochemical oxidants formation. The Pampa was the region with the highest agricultural land occupation. Human toxicity and terrestrial ecotoxicity were negative in all systems. Occupation of urban areas, ozone depletion, natural areas transformation, and ionizing radiation were not significant, concerning other human activities after normalization. The inclusion of different impact categories in the analysis offers new perspectives to minimize the impacts of Brazilian livestock on the planet. Pasture-based animal production systems with greater ecological, water, and carbon footprints show better results in indicators related to human health and environmental conservation. The intensification of grazing and the introduction of more productive forage species may represent new opportunities for adding value, improving life quality, and conservation of sensitive areas found in different environments that make up the diversity of Brazilian livestock production.

Effects of high-oxygen, carbon monoxide modified atmospheres and vacuum packaging on quality of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum steaks from Nellore cows during ageing

Nellore (Bos indicus) cows play an important role in Brazilian beef production. Here, we investigated whether modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology could contribute to improving the quality of Nellore cow steaks. To verify this, steaks obtained from Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) were stored at 2 °C for 28 days using different packaging systems, with one being vacuum and the others being three MAP systems: 75% O2/25% CO2 (75%O2-MAP), 60% CO2/0.2% CO/39.8% N2 and 40% CO2/0.4% CO/59.6% N2 (0.2%CO-MAP and 0.4%CO-MAP, respectively). Steaks packaged using the CO-MAP showed improved color stability of fresh meat. In turn, the 75%O2-MAP drastically affected the oxidative stability related to proteins and lipids compared to both anaerobic environments (CO-MAP and vacuum). The CO-MAP increased tenderization and ultrastructural changes when compared to the aerobic MAP without affecting pH, collagen or cooking loss, which were influenced by the storage time. In conclusion, MAP technology may improve the quality and appearance of fresh meat originating from Nellore cows, being a promising alternative for the Brazilian beef industry.

How do animal performance and methane emissions vary with forage management intensification and supplementation?

Context Yields from Brazilian beef-production systems do not always match the expected potential of a forage-based beef-production system. This efficiency is dependent on adjustments of grazing intensity and supplement utilisation to achieve higher bodyweight gain and lower methane emission. Therefore, more studies are necessary to evaluate the association between pasture management and supplement doses. Aims The aim of the present study was to determine nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, animal performance, carcass characteristics and enteric methane emissions of young Nellore bulls grazing Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu pastures. Methods One hundred and forty-eight yearling bulls (230 ± 17 kg) were randomly assigned to a grazing-by-supplementation strategy that was designed to allocate three different sward heights with differing levels of supplementation during the wet season. Treatment combinations were (1) low sward height with high supplementation (LH-HS, 15-cm sward height and supplementation at 0.6% of bodyweight (BW)); (2) low height with moderate supplementation (LH-MS, 15 cm and 0.3% BW); (3) moderate height with moderate supplementation (MH-MS, 25 cm and 0.3% BW); (4) moderate height with low supplementation (MH-LS, 25 cm and 0.1% BW); (5) high height with low supplementation (HH-LS, 35 cm and 0.1% BW); and (6) high height with no supplementation (HH-WS, 35 cm). Key results Bulls in the HH groups had a greater herbage intake than did those in the LH groups (P < 0.01). Bulls in the LH-HS treatment resulted in a greater (P < 0.01) carcass average daily gain than that obtained with LH-MS, MH-LS or HH-WS treatment. Higher stocking rate with the LH treatment resulted in greater gains per hectare in terms of both BW and carcass (P < 0.01). Carcass yield was greater for bulls maintained with the LH-HS treatment (54.3% BW). Higher enteric methane emissions were observed from bulls under the HH treatments (P < 0.01). Conclusions Comparing carcass gains per hectare and low methane emissions, the present study indicated that pasture management towards a low sward height combined with 0.3% or 0.6% BW supplementation can result in a greater nutrient utilisation efficiency of bulls. Implications Results provided information to obtain better gains per animals and area, also decreasing methane emission of beef cattle production system.

Abate humanitario e insensibilización en bovinos desde la perspectiva de la medicina veterinaria legal: Revisión

This review has the objective to discuss the main critical points of the humanitarian slaughter of bovines with approaches necessary for audits and fundaments for expert report. The Brazilian beef production has great importance in agribusiness, with national and international prominence. Currently, the population's concern about the welfare of production animals has been growing, making investments in scientific research and humanitarian education in all segments of the production chains. In the past decades the slaughter of production animals had been considered a technological procedure of inferior scientific grade, not composing a subject studied by universities, research institutes and industry. Subsequently, this issue gained importance when it was evident the influence of the quality of meat and its products in national and international trade. Following the obvious influences of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the International Humanitarian Society (HSI), the demand for source products of animals raised, handled, transported and slaughtered through the use of humanitarian practices grew up. It should be considered that animal welfare does not necessarily correspond to sanitary quality, but rather an ethical and moral concern of consumers. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply in Brazil (MAPA) predicts that until 2020 the Brazilian meat production will provide 44.5% of the world market, this being the great challenge of Brazil to maintain effective measures of humanitarian slaughter and to lead as a world exporter of bovine meat To slaughter animals under humanitarian conditions is a moral duty of man, and each country must establish strict regulations in order to guarantee this condition to all species. Conventional methods of slaughter of cattle involve the pre-desensitization of bleeding, except slaughtering conducted according to Jewish or Islamic rituals. The actions of audits and legal veterinary medicine have an important contribution in the settlement of judicial and etical issues in this process. So is necessary to invest in studies and discussions on the improvement of this important topic for use in audits and in the definition of an expert protocol aimed at humanized slaughter.

Genetic Mapping With Allele Dosage Information in Tetraploid Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. D. Webster Reveals Insights Into Spittlebug (Notozulia entreriana Berg) Resistance.

Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. D. Webster is one of the most important African forage grasses in Brazilian beef production. Currently available genetic-genomic resources for this species are restricted mainly due to polyploidy and apomixis. Therefore, crucial genomic-molecular studies such as the construction of genetic maps and the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) are very challenging and consequently affect the advancement of molecular breeding. The objectives of this work were to (i) construct an integrated U. decumbens genetic map for a full-sibling progeny using GBS-based markers with allele dosage information, (ii) detect QTLs for spittlebug (Notozulia entreriana) resistance, and (iii) seek putative candidate genes involved in defense against biotic stresses. We used the Setaria viridis genome a reference to align GBS reads and selected 4,240 high-quality SNP markers with allele dosage information. Of these markers, 1,000 were distributed throughout nine homologous groups with a cumulative map length of 1,335.09 cM and an average marker density of 1.33 cM. We detected QTLs for resistance to spittlebug, an important pasture insect pest, that explained between 4.66 and 6.24% of the phenotypic variation. These QTLs are in regions containing putative candidate genes related to defense against biotic stresses. Because this is the first genetic map with SNP autotetraploid dosage data and QTL detection in U. decumbens, it will be useful for future evolutionary studies, genome assembly, and other QTL analyses in Urochloa spp. Moreover, the results might facilitate the isolation of spittlebug-related candidate genes and help clarify the mechanism of spittlebug resistance. These approaches will improve selection efficiency and accuracy in U. decumbens molecular breeding and shorten the breeding cycle.

Emission of methane in livestock: cause-effect relationship and modulatory mechanisms

Livestock farming has great importance in the Brazilian economic scenario, developed in all states and ecosystems of the country, and the Brazilian sector presents a wide range of production systems. Brazilian beef production is mainly from pasture production systems, with Brazil having an area of 180 million hectares of pasture, where more than half of this total presents some degree of soil degradation and pasture, mainly in stages advanced. The emission of methane by ruminants accounts for 22% of this gas in the atmosphere, making it the third largest source on a global scale. Methane gas (CH4) has a significant participation of 15% in global warming, but Brazil has a great potential to reduce the emission of methane gas by improving the productivity indexes of its livestock. Improvements in animal feeding and genetics result in less CH4 emission during the animal's life cycle. In addition, these improvements result in increased meat production resulting in a double benefit: the environmental and the economic. CH4 is considered to be the second largest contributor to the earth's heating by absorbing infrared radiation into atmosphere behind only carbon dioxide (CO2). The increase in its concentration in the atmosphere is closely linked to the worldwide expansion of the human population, since the main sources of emissions, besides enteric fermentation are landfills, fossil fuel use and agricultural practices. Thus, the objective of this review was to present the scientific literature about the production of methane bound to ruminants and to design modulatory mechanisms that allow the production of these animals with high production levels and low emission of this gas.

Application of the multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach in the identification of Carbon Footprint reduction actions in the Brazilian beef production chain

Abstract Global awareness regarding the effects of Climate Change has led to a more restrictive society and demanding concerned with Greenhouse Gas Emissions associated with consumption. In this context, the livestock sector is seen as a major contributor to various impacts, as it is implemented throughout different climatic zones, with high variations in production and food systems, which, in turn, present direct impacts on productivity and environmental externalities. In this context, the aim of this study was to rank possible improvement actions that allow the reduction of the Carbon Footprint originated from Brazilian beef exports considering multiple criteria, from the identification of the impact profile associated with the final product. Thus, the Carbon Footprint was first estimated considering the production phase, in the Brazilian Central-West, and beef processing and transport until its delivery at three main final export destinations: Rotterdam, Shanghai and St. Petersburg. Subsequently, multicriteria decision-making methods were applied in order to quantify and rank possible improvement actions, with the joint application of the Fuzzy Set Theory and the TOPSIS method. Finally, the criteria are presented in the form of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) matrix for each evaluated alternative. The animal production stage represented the main impacts of Climate Change on the product system (over 96% for all export destinations) due to the digestive fermentation of the animals, leading to methane emissions. The option to implement improvement actions for the evaluated productive arrangement, the use of protein-energetic supplementation and pasture fertilization-rotation in the animal production phase, alongside the replacement of road transport units by more modern vehicles in the industrial phase, were identified as alternatives that decrease the impact potential and facilitate the animal production phase. In this sense, the results point to possible improvements that, in addition to presenting low restrictions for implementation, can significantly reduce the beef Carbon Footprint. Improving Brazilian efficiency in terms of Carbon Footprint in this production chain can, in addition to provide a strategic differential concerning production and commercialization, contribute to reduce environmental impacts resulting from the sector at a global level. However, it is necessary to search for measures that facilitate the implementation of these actions, mainly at the rural producer level, considering both technical aspects and the qualification, training, consulting and financial aspects, such as credit and subsidies, improving the environmental performance of this arrangement with a view to balancing it with the other dimensions.

Microsatellite loci for Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D. Webster and cross-amplification in other Urochloa species.

BackgroundForage grasses of the African genus Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) are the basis of Brazilian beef production, and there is a strong demand for high quality, productive and adapted forage plants. Among the approximately 100 species of the genus Urochloa, Urochloa decumbens is one of the most important tropical forage grasses used for pastures due to several of its agronomic attributes. However, the level of understanding of these attributes and the tools with which to control them at the genetic level are limited, mainly due to the apomixis and ploidy level of this species. In this context, the present study aimed to identify and characterize molecular microsatellite markers of U. decumbens and to evaluate their cross-amplification in other Urochloa species.FindingsMicrosatellite loci were isolated from a previously constructed enriched library from one U. decumbens genotype. Specific primers were designed for one hundred thirteen loci, and ninety-three primer pairs successfully amplified microsatellite regions, yielding an average of 4.93 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values of these loci ranged from 0.26 to 0.85 (average 0.68), and the associated discriminating power (DP) values ranged from 0.22 to 0.97 (average 0.77). Cross-amplification studies demonstrated the potential transferability of these microsatellites to four other Urochloa species. Structure analysis revealed the existence of three distinct groups, providing evidence in the allelic pool that U. decumbens is closely related to Urochloa ruziziensis and Urochloa brizantha. The genetic distance values determined using Jaccard’s coefficient ranged from 0.06 to 0.76.ConclusionsThe microsatellite markers identified in this study are the first set of molecular markers for U. decumbens species. Their availability will facilitate understanding the genetics of this and other Urochloa species and breeding them, and will be useful for germplasm characterization, linkage mapping and marker-assisted selection.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-016-1967-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparative analysis of different meat traceability systems using multiple criteria and a social network approach

The adoption of a proper traceability system is being incorporated into meat production practices as a method of gaining consumer confidence. The various partners operating in the chain of meat production can be considered a social network, and they have the common goal of generating a communication process that can ensure each characteristic of the product, including safety. This study aimed to select the most appropriate meat traceability system “from farm to fork” that could be applied to Brazilian beef and pork production for international trade. The research was done in three steps. The first used the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for selecting the best on-farm livestock traceability. In the second step, the actors in the meat production chain were identified to build a framework and defined each role in the network. In the third step, the selection of the traceability system was done. Results indicated that with an electronic traceability system, it is possible to acquire better connections between the links in the chain and to provide the means for managing uncertainties by creating structures that facilitate information flow more efficiently.

Comparative analysis of different meat traceability systems using multiple criteria and a social network approach

The adoption of a proper traceability system is being incorporated into meat production practices as a method of gaining consumer confidence. The various partners operating in the chain of meat production can be considered a social network, and they have the common goal of generating a communication process that can ensure each characteristic of the product, including safety. This study aimed to select the most appropriate meat traceability system “from farm to fork” that could be applied to Brazilian beef and pork production for international trade. The research was done in three steps. The first used the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for selecting the best on-farm livestock traceability. In the second step, the actors in the meat production chain were identified to build a framework and defined each role in the network. In the third step, the selection of the traceability system was done. Results indicated that with an electronic traceability system, it is possible to acquire better connections between the links in the chain and to provide the means for managing uncertainties by creating structures that facilitate information flow more efficiently.

Improved pasture and herd management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a Brazilian beef production system

Brazilian farms produce 15% of the world׳s beef, and consequently they are important sources of greenhouse gases (GHG). The beef sector faces the challenge to meet the increasing demand without further increase of GHG emissions. To reduce the pressure on forests it is essential that farmers are provided with sustainable options of intensification of pasture growth and cattle production. The improvement of the whole-farm beef production system is essential to reduce emissions from all relevant sources, like land use, land use change and livestock. The main objective was to quantify the GHG gas emissions of different beef production systems in Brazil. Therefore we developed a whole farm model that allowed us to calculate GHG emissions from all-important sources (only “on-farm” i.e., not considering emissions from the production of fertilizer, lime or other inputs) for a beef production system in Brazil. We studied the effects of intensification in several steps, starting with a baseline extensive system, followed by four steps of intensification. The main differences between the scenarios are related to pasture management, i.e. continuous or rotational grazing, pasture condition, stocking rate, use of lime and fertilizer, and irrigation; and animal performance, i.e. calving interval, age at first calving, conception rate, total life time until slaughter, and genetic improvement. Compared to the baseline extensive scenario, the total pasture area decreased up to 92% in the most intensified system, while beef production nearly doubled. Intensification increased the number of calves, steers and heifers decreased the total production cycle time and the slaughter age of the steers. Overall, the emission of kgCO2eqkgcarcass−1 was lower with increasing intensification, with an average of 41kgCO2eqkgcarcass−1. The emissions of CH4 decreased, while the emissions of N2O and CO2 increased due to nitrogen fertilizer and lime application. The intensification of beef production, through improved pasture and herd management, reduced the GHG emissions per kg of beef from 2% to 57%. The complete cycle of beef production in intensified systems required less time (years) and area (ha), and may thus help to alleviate the pressure on forests.