Total Beef Production Research Articles

Opportunities for carbon sequestration from removing or intensifying pasture-based beef production

Pastures, on which ruminant livestock graze, occupy one third of the earth's surface. Removing livestock from pastures can support climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration in regrowing vegetation and recovering soils, particularly in potentially forested areas. However, this would also decrease food and fiber production, generating a tradeoff with pasture productivity and the ruminant meat production pastures support. We evaluate the magnitude and distribution of this tradeoff globally, called the "carbon opportunity intensity" of pastures, at a 5-arcminute resolution. We find that removing beef-producing cattle from high-carbon intensity pastures could sequester 34 (22 to 43) GtC i.e. 125 (80 to 158) GtCO2 into ecosystems, which is an amount greater than global fossil CO2 emissions from 2021-2023. This would lead to only a minor loss of 13 (9 to 18)% of the global total beef production on pastures, predominantly within high- and upper-middle-income countries. If areas with low-carbon intensity pastures and less efficient beef production simultaneously intensified their beef production to 47% of OECD levels, this could fully counterbalance the global loss of beef production. The carbon opportunity intensity can inform policy approaches to restore ecosystems while minimizing food losses. Future work should aim to provide higher-resolution estimates for use at local and farm scales, and to incorporate a wider set of environmental indicators of outcomes beyond carbon.

Hempseed By-Product in Diets of Italian Simmental Cull Dairy Cows and Its Effects on Animal Performance and Meat Quality.

Simple SummaryAt the end of their productive career, dairy cows are culled without a fattening period and, therefore, sold at a low market price. On the other hand, the cultivation of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is increasing, and hempseed cake is a by-product obtained during the mechanical extraction of the seed. Hempseed cake is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, so its use in the diets of cull cows could probably improve meat value and contribute to pursuing the objectives of a circular economy. In this study, hempseed cake was added to the diets of culls cows for the first time with the aim to assess its effect on animal performance and meat quality. The results of the present paper suggest that hempseed cake did not affect animal performance and the characteristics or the fatty acids profile of the meat. From this point of view, although no improvement in the level of unsaturated fatty acids in meat was found, this study showed that hempseed cake can replace soybean meal, thus improving the circular economy.Cull dairy cows are important contributors to total beef production in the USA and in Europe. Hempseed cake is a by-product of oil production and it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (FA). This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding hempseed cake to the diet of Italian Simmental (IS) cull dairy cows on performances and meat quality. Twenty-six cull dairy cows were divided into three dietary groups: hay-based, corn silage-based and pasture-based diets. Within each group, the animals were equally divided into two treatments according to the protein source of the concentrate: hempseed cake (HEMP) or soybeans meal (SB). The trial lasted four months. HEMP showed similar in vivo performance and carcass characteristics, such as average daily gain (p > 0.05) and dressing percentage (p > 0.05), compared with SB. Meat characteristics, such as ether extract content and Warner–Bratzler shear force, were also similar between experimental groups (p > 0.05). Considering FA composition, HEMP showed similar saturated FA and polyunsaturated FA content (p > 0.05) but lower desirable fatty acids (p < 0.05) content and a tendentially lower hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (p < 0.10) than SFA. Hempseed cake can substitute soybean in the diet of cull dairy cows without effects on performance or meat quality.

Seasonal temperature and precipitation effects on cow–calf production in northern mixed-grass prairie

Quantifying the effects of seasonal temperature and precipitation on cow–calf production on rangelands is challenging, as few long-term (>20yrs) studies have been reported. However, an understanding of how seasonal weather inconsistency affects beef production is needed for beef producers to better manage their herds on native rangelands to minimize enterprise risk with respect to climatic variability. Cow–calf beef production data collected at the USDA-ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station near Cheyenne, WY, USA from 1975 to 2012 were tested using model averaging for effects of spring (April–June) and summer (July–September) temperature and precipitation, as well as prior winter (October–March) and prior growing season (April–September) precipitation on beef production. Two breeds were used at different times during the study period (Herefords from 1975 to 2001 and a Red Angus×Charolais×Salers cross from 2003 to 2012; there was no grazing in 2002) and examined separately to test for differential effects of seasonal weather by breed. Herefords were more sensitive to seasonal weather patterns than the crossbreds, with Hereford pair total beef production showing the largest effect sizes and Hereford cows showing the highest R2 value (0.66) among models. Wet springs and wet winters particularly increased Hereford beef production in this northern mixed-grass prairie, whereas beef production from the crossbreds did not show any weather effect patterns. The model structure used maximizes utility of these data to be built into decision support tools to help ranchers optimize stocking rates and minimize enterprise risk in advance of the grazing season.

Efecto sobre la producción de carne de la aplicación de tecnologías de renovación de praderas de Bothriochloa pertusa (L.) A. Camus en la Costa Norte Colombiana

Uno de los factores que limitan de manera importante la competitividad y sostenibilidad del sector ganadero de la región Caribe es la degradación de suelos y praderas. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar en fincas del departamento del Atlántico y dedicadas a la de producción de carne, el efecto de las tecnologías de renovación de praderas como la intervención mecánica con labranza vertical, establecimiento de una nueva gramínea, aplicación de un plan de fertilización y pastoreo rotacional, sobre la producción de carne. Se seleccionaron tres fincas en las cuales se estableció una línea base en el año 2007 y posteriormente en los años 2008 y 2009 se evaluó el efecto de la renovación sobre la producción de forraje y carne. Se determinó la disponibilidad de forraje tanto en la pradera renovada como en la pradera sin renovación y cada mes se registró el peso de los animales. Los datos se analizaron empleando un diseño de bloques completos al azar con arreglo factorial. Los resultados mostraron un efecto significativo de la renovación de praderas en la producción de forraje, tanto en época seca como lluviosa (P &lt; 0.05). El efecto fue mayor en la época lluviosa que en la época seca (P &lt; 0.05). Las praderas renovadas tuvieron en promedio 1,5 veces más forraje que la pradera testigo (21,9 vs. 8,9 t de MS ha-1). Durante el período seco, la tecnología de renovación disminuyó el efecto negativo del estrés hídrico, manteniendo una producción promedio de forraje que duplicó la registrada durante el mismo período en la pradera sin intervención (5,2 vs. 2,5 t de MS ha-1). En la producción total de carne también se observó un efecto de renovación de praderas tanto en época seca como lluviosa. El efecto de la tecnología en producción de carne fue mayor en la época de lluvias que en la época seca (353 vs. 163 kg ha-1). El promedio general indicó que la producción de carne por unidad de área fue 4 veces mayor en la pradera renovada que en la pradera testigo (859 vs. 171 kg ha-1).Los resultados mostraron que la aplicación de tecnologías de renovación de praderas a nivel de finca en el departamento del Atlántico se logra aumentos significativos en producción de forraje y producción de carne por unidad de área lo cual tendría repercusiones en los ingresos de los productores. &#x0D; &#x0D;

Patterns of change in beef production and consumption in Africa.

This paper analyses the patterns of change in the production and consumption of beef in Africa over the last two decades. A 'decomposition' method of analysis is used to examine the change in total beef production during this period, attributable to changes in herd size, in the proportion of cattle slaughtered and in productivity per head of cattle. Sub-regional aggregations are complemented with similar analyses for individual countries to demonstrate the diverse patterns of change in beef production and consumption. The results reveal an overall increase in total beef production (due mainly to an increase in cattle numbers and in the percentage of slaughtered cattle, rather than to productivity gains), a stagnation in per capita production, and an overall increase in the total consumption of beef and a decline in per capita consumption (due mainly to faster population growth and urbanisation, and a decline in per capita income, respectively).

Steer performance grazing hybrid bromegrass pastures

Producers in Saskatchewan require grazing information on new grass cultivars to improve production and quality of existing forage stands. Animal data are ultimately needed to validate the performance of these new varieties under grazed conditions. A 2-yr field experiment was conducted (2000–2001) to determine steer performance and species utilization when grazing crested wheatgrass (Agropyron pectiniforme R. &amp; S.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) compared to hybrid bromegrass (Bromus riparius × Bromus inermis) pasture on an Orthic Black soil in east central Saskatchewan. Weight gain (kg d-1) was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for steers grazing hybrid bromegrass pasture than crested wheatgrass pasture in the first year. However, in 2001, steers grazing crested wheatgrass pastures had greater (P &lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) than those grazing other pasture types. Total beef production (TBF) was greatest in both years (160 and 185 kg ha-1) from the hybrid bromegrass pastures. The greatest (P &lt; 0.05) animal grazing days (AGD) were observed on hybrid bromegrass pastures. These results suggest that AC Knowles hybrid bromegrass is a suitable species for pasture use in Saskatchewan. Key words: Grazing, utilization, steer, grass pasture

Effects of twinning on postpartum reproductive performance in cattle selected for twin births.

The effects of twinning, dystocia, retained placenta, and body weight on postpartum reproduction were evaluated for 3,370 single and 1,014 twin births. Females were bred by AI for 40 d followed by 20 or 30 d of natural service with equal numbers bred and calved in spring and fall. Percentage of dams cyclic by the end of the AI period was lower (P<.05) for dams birthing and nursing a single calf (92.4%) than for dams birthing twins and nursing zero (98.7%) or two (94.7%) calves. Whereas the interval from parturition to first estrus was shorter (P<.01) for dams birthing and nursing a single (56.9 d) than for dams birthing twins and nursing one (68.5 d) or two (69.6 d) calves, length of the interval was further reduced by dystocia in nonlactating dams of either twins or singles (type of birth x dystocia, P<.05). Ensuing pregnancy rates were also affected by type of birth and dystocia. Without dystocia, dams birthing and nursing a single calf had a higher pregnancy rate (79.2%) than dams birthing twins and nursing one (61.7%) or two (66.3%) calves, whereas the lower ensuing pregnancy rates associated with dystocia in dams of singles (71.9%) resulted in similar rates among dams of singles and twins with dystocia (type of birth x dystocia; P<.01). Having a retained placenta resulted in a lower incidence of (93.5 vs. 96.4%, with vs. without; P<.05) and a longer interval to (64.7 vs. 59.2 d; P<.01) estrus while reducing subsequent pregnancy rates (X = 9.6%) in 3 of the 7 yr evaluated (retained placenta x year, P<.01). Because all parous females were bred during the same calendrical period, the shorter gestation length for twin calves (275.6 vs. 281.3 d) resulted in a longer interval from parturition to conception for twin births, whereas means for conception date differed by only 2 d between dams of twins and singles. Furthermore, a reduction (P<.01) in the interval to conception occurred with dystocia in dams of singles (89.3 vs. 85.0 d, without vs. with dystocia) and of twins nursed by zero (116.9 vs. 83.5 d), one (100.2 vs. 92.8 d), or two (96.1 vs. 97.2 d) calves. Another detriment to fertility was the higher incidence of fetal mortality or abortions associated with twin vs. single pregnancies (12.4 vs. 3.5%; P<.01). However, despite the lower conception rates for dams of twins, the increased prolificacy provides an opportunity to increase total beef production with a twinning technology.

Forage Growth and Steer Performance on Kentucky Bluegrass vs. Sequentially Grazed Kentucky Bluegrass-Switchgrass

In the north central USA, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) pastures often become semi-dormant with low forage supply in summer. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a cool-warm-cool season pasture system for improving animal performance in Wisconsin compared with season-long stocking of Kentucky bluegrass pasture. The coolwarm-cool season pasture system consisted of Kentucky bluegrass in the spring and fall with «Blackwell» switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) over summer. The study was conducted in central Wisconsin in 1990 and 1991. The cool-season graft pastures were on a soil predominantly Roscommon muck (mixed, frigid Mallic Psammaquents) having 3% or less slope. The warm-season grass pastures were on a soil predominantly Newsom loamy sand (mixed, frigid Humaqueptic Psammaquent) with no slope and Okee loamy sand (loamy, mixed, mesic Arenic Hapludalf) with 2 to 6% slope. Experimental animals were Hereford×Angus×Charolais beef steers (Bos taurus) weighing approximately 550 Ib at the initiation of the trial. There was no difference between the two grazing systems for seasonlong average daily gain (mean of 1.3 Ib/d). Gain per acre was also similar for the sequential grazing system and the continuous Kentucky bluegrass pasture (mean of 92 Ib/acre). In this experiment, no summer decline in forage production or beef steer performance occurred on season-long Kentucky bluegrass pasture. Sequential grazing of cool-warm-cool season grass pasture did not show any advantage over season-long Kentucky bluegrass pasture for increasing beef gain per acre or animal performance in central Wisconsin

Pasture management and animal production in Quebec: A review

Twenty percent of forage farmland was devoted to seeded and native pastures in 1991. Common white clover is widely found in native pastures but ladino clover is the main legume recommended. Timothy is the most popular grass for seeded pasture and its yield is increased by N fertilization. More than 30% ladino in pasture decreases the N fertilizer requirement. High fertilization of pasture where beef steers are kept at high stocking rates and moderately fertilized pasture where beef steers are kept at low stocking rates result in similar average daily gains. Excessive steer stocking rates can result in decreased herbage production at the end of the growing season which results in decreased weight gain. However, feeding concentrate can compensate for herbage shortage and maintain weight gain of steers with a high stocking rate similar to that of unsupplemented animals on pasture with a low stocking rate. The difference in total beef production per hectare between heavily and moderately fertilized pastures is only 10% higher for the former when herbage surpluses conserved as silage and hay are fed to steers during winter. When herbage allowance is not limiting, there appears to be no advantage in supplementing grazing cattle with concentrate or protein. Key words: Pasture, grazing, dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep

Stocker Cattle Performance and Vegetation Response to Intensive-Early Stocking of Cross Timbers Rangeland

A 4-year study was conducted on Cross Timbers range in north-central Oklahoma. Conventional seasonlong grazing (SLS) of stocker cattle was compared to intensive-early season stocking (IES). Stocking density was increased 2-fold on the IES system but stocking rate was the same relative to SLS. Grazing treatments were applied in a manner that allowed each pasture to be grazed under each management system. Midseason standing crop of grazed residue was lower under IES but there was no difference in end-of-season standing crop. In July, tallgrass residue and forb residue were lower on IES pastures while residue of little bluestem and other grasses was not affected by grazing treatment. End-of-season standing crop of tallgrass residue was similar because of late-season regrowth under IES and continued defoliation under SLS. Distribution of utilization was not improved by IES. Cattle gains (kg/head) during the early-season were similar for both grazing programs. Total beef production was increased 19% by IES as a result of increased stocking density. Our results indicate that IES can be utilized to improve cattle production from Cross Timbers ranges.

BEEF CATTLE NUTRITION AND PERFORMANCE ON SEEDED CLEARCUTS IN SOUTHERN INTERIOR BRITISH COLUMBIA

The nutrient content of diets consumed, using a bite count technique, and the performance of beef cows and their calves grazing spruce and pine clearcuts in the southern interior rangelands of British Columbia on continuously and rotationally grazed pasture systems were evaluated in a 3- to 5-yr study. Forage species and plant parts ingested by cows were collected by hand clipping to simulate the diet. Nutrient composition of each sample forage was determined chemically and the nutrient levels of cattle diets were estimated from the bite counts of forages consumed and the chemical composition of the clipped samples. Dietary deficiencies, based on estimates of dietary intake of cows and chemical composition of samples, were noted for protein and phosphorus during August and September (rotational grazing); sodium during September; iodine, copper and zinc throughout the grazing season with the exception of zinc in the September diet of rotationally grazed cows. Selenium was adequate to excessive in the diet. Cow diets consisted of from 50 to 72% grass, from 23 to 42% forbs and from 4 to 20% shrubs. The diversity of diet components maintained nutrient levels of the diet above those provided by grass alone. Weight gains of cows and calves were obtained at monthly intervals for 3 yr and seasonally for 5 yr. There were no significant differences in cow performance among years or between grazing treatments. Cows gained an average of 0.22 kg d−1 over a 90-d grazing period. Average daily gains of cows decreased from 0.55 kg in July to −0.21 kg in September. Calf gains were significantly different between treatments over 5 yr. Calf gains averaged 0.92 kg−1 d on the continuously grazed pastures vs. 0.83 kg d−1 on those rotationally grazed. Total beef production of saleable beef (calves) under the continuous and rotational grazing system was 72.7 kg ha−1 and 65.3 kg ha−1, respectively. Key words: Beef cattle, production, nutrition, clearcuts, daily gains

Sulfur or Sulfur Plus Nitrogen Increases Beef Production on California Annual Range

A 6-year study was conducted to evaluate the response of California annual range to triennial applications of sulfur only and sulfur plus nitrogen fertilizer. Range response was evahtated in terms of length of the green season, steer weight gain, total beef production and steer days of grazing/ha. Neither fertilization treatment consistently lengthened the green season nor infhtenced steer weight gain compared to nonfertilized range. Steer days of grazing and total beef production/ha were greatest on sulfur plus nitrogen-treated range, intermediate on sulfur only-fertilized range and least on nonfertilized range. Sulfur only-fertilized range increased beef production about 60 kg/ha compared to nonfertilized range, and range fertilized with sulfur plus nitrogen increased beef production nearly 50 kg/ha more than sulfur onlyfertilized range. On California’s annual range, most of the herbage is produced between early February and mid-April, when soil moisture is generally abundant and rising temperatures foster rapid plant growth. Forage selected by cattle during this time of the year is well balanced nutritionally and produces the most rapid animal weight gains. However, as annual herbage matures and dries, generally during mid-June, the rate of animal weight gain drops rapidly. Wagnon et al. (1958) found that without supplements, weaner and yearling steers gained weight only during the green season; they maintained weight through the dry-forage season and lost weight during the winter season. Conrad (1950) and Martin (1958) reported a widespread sulfur deficiency in several soils derived from a wide variety of parent materials at many locations throughout California. Bentley (1946) found that pit-run gypsum increased herbage production on the San Joaquin Experimental Range. Fertilization with sulfur every third year increased annual herbage yields, grazing capacities (Bentley et al. 1958), and steer gains (Wagnon et al. 1958) over those on nonfertilized range. Bentley and Green (1954) noted the first marked response to sulfur fertilization was a stimulation of legume growth. Grass production increased the year after stimulation of legumes and the beneficial effects held over for a few years after sulfur fertilization. Martin (1958) reported that soil nitrogen deficiency was at least as widespread in California as sulfur deficiency. The first year after treatment, cattle weight gains were greater on nitrogen-fertilized range than on nonfertilized range, but less than where both nitrogen and sulfur had been provided (Martin and Berry 1970). Similar though reduced responses were reported the second year after treatment. Triennial applications of sulfur or sulfur plus nitrogen increased herbage yields and grazing capacity of annual ranges (Conrad et al. 1966). Woolfolk and Duncan (1962) reported that herbage production, grazing use, and animal weight gain were greatest on annual range fertilized with sulfur and nitrogen. Fertilization with sulfur alone was less beneficial. Benefits of range fertilization included earlier range readiness, increased herbage production, and increased herbage protein content (McKell et al.

Cattle as competitors for biomass energy

Crop residues represent a biomass source that have been extensively studied as a potential energy source. Fuel use would produce competitive demands for this resource to the cattle industry. A linear programming model of the United States beef production systems which maximized beef production was used to evaluate the potential contribution of crop residues to the support of beef cattle. Changes in the resource inputs of land, feed supplies and energy were determined along with beef output volume and quality. The scenarios studied included decreases of 25% from the current feeding systems in: (1) corn grain; or (2) silage; or (3) grazed forage; (4) corn grain and silage; (5) corn grain, silage and grazed forage; and (6) total elimination of corn grain and silage. Each scenario examined the system with and without crop residues. In addition to the maximize beef production objective function, the baseline scenario was run with another objective function which minimized energy use. Crop residues served to replace most of forage from grazing or silage. When corn grain was reduced beef production and beef quality declined. Land requirements were automatically reduced by feeding crop residues because land use was charged only to grain production. In all cases feeding residues reduced the energy requirement per kg of beef produced. Energy minimization resulted in a decline from an input of 95.0 to 47.7 × 10 9 Mcal while total beef production remained the same although quality grade was lower. When the feeding value of residues was compared to other energy production alternatives for biomass sources, such as gasification or direct combustion, with the manure produced from the cattle used for methane and the residue used as fertilizer, this alternative provided 3,020 Mcal of energy at a dollar substitution of $45.60 per ton.

Alternative Cow-Calf and Stocker Production Systems in the Georgia Piedmont Area

Highlight: Economic analyses indicated that costs and returns were closely related to age of cattle, quality of forage, and cattle market prices in the Southeast. Brood cow-calf and stocker calf operations performed best when annual winter grazing was included in the production systems. Returns per acre to capital, land, and management during the 1966-1970 period were $18.37 for the winter cow-calf system with annual winter grazing and $10.87 for the summer Cowcalf unit. Returns per acre to capital, land, and management during the 1963-1970 period were estimated at $6.46 for the summer stocker calf system and $41.00 for the winter stocker calf system with annual winter grazing. The summer cow-calf system and the winter stocker calf system were the best combination of systems to increase total beef production for the Piedmont area.