Use of Indicators to Evaluate Sustainability of Animal Production Systems

SUMMARY – Few indicators for sustainability are used in studying animal production systems. Sustainability of these systems should be evaluated in a dynamic and multidisciplinary manner, and those indicators used should allow for detecting the systems' most relevant properties, as well as the tendency of those systems to change. Indicators proposed by FAO provide information regarding all attributes of sustainability, although in a manner which is overly focused on technical and economic indicators at the expense of social and environmental factors. In order to use these indicators to evaluate sustainability, it is necessary to: (i) integrate and reduce the number of indicators, balancing them for all sustainability attributes; (ii) generate indicators which show system sustainability in relation to the economic, environmental and social context; and (iii) design indicators which show system evolution and the influence of this process on that system’s sustainability.RESUME – "Utilisation d'indicateurs pour évaluer la durabilité des systèmes de production animale". Les indicateurs permettant de caractériser la durabilité des systèmes de production animale sont peu développés. L'évaluation de la durabilité de ces systèmes doit être dynamique et multidisciplinaire et les indicateurs utilisés doivent permettre de détecter les caractéristiques les plus importantes des systèmes et leur évolution. Les indicateurs proposés par la FAO servent à informer sur tous les attributs liés à la durabilité, mais d’une façon non équilibrée et trop centrée sur le système de production. Pour rendre possible l’utilisation des indicateurs FAO en tant qu'évaluateurs de la durabilité des systèmes, il conviendra de: (i) réduire le nombre d'indicateurs obtenus à partir des données de l’exploitation, en cherchant un équilibre entre le nombre d’indicateurs qui correspondent à chaque attribut de la durabilité ; (ii) générer des indicateurs représentatifs de la durabilité des systèmes liés à l'environnement, aussi bien physique, économique que social ; et (iii) créer des indicateurs qui renseignent sur l’évolution du système et de sa durabilité

Classification, characterisation and strategies for improvement of cattle and sheep pasture systems in marginal areas of Southern Chile

Pasture-based livestock systems in farms with medium or low size are especially important in less favored areas and are valuable for society. For these systems to survive, it is necessary to obtain an acceptable level of productivity and ensure commercialization of the products. This study was carried out in the district of Rio Ibáñez, General Carrera Province, in the XI (Aysén) Region of Chile. The sample consisted of 28 small-scale livestock farmers with dual-purpose cattle production; 16 of them also produced sheep for meat. The empirical data produced 55 variables which were subjected to multivariate analysis; three main components were obtained which explain 72.1 % of the variance. By cluster analysis it was obtained four groups with characteristics which varied by farm size, age and personal situation of farmers, farm management and farm profitability. The principal problems found are low productivity in the herds and the poor marketing channels of animals produced. In two groups, due to the low size and poor management, the profitability of the farms is very low and this may compromise their future. To improve production systems, the training and advice of farmers should be strengthened, investment should be supported, especially for young people, and the farmer partnership should be promoted. There is also a need to diversify the families' sources of income (sale of other farm products or handicrafts and touristic activities).Ministerio de Economía de Chile Innova-CORFO Project 11 NTEC 1279

Classification, characterisation and strategies for improvement of cattle and sheep pasture systems in marginal areas of Southern Chile

Pasture-based livestock systems in farms with medium or low size are especially important in less favored areas and are valuable for society. For these systems to survive, it is necessary to obtain an acceptable level of productivity and ensure commercialization of the products. This study was carried out in the district of Rio Ibáñez, General Carrera Province, in the XI (Aysén) Region of Chile. The sample consisted of 28 small-scale livestock farmers with dual-purpose cattle production; 16 of them also produced sheep for meat. The empirical data produced 55 variables which were subjected to multivariate analysis; three main components were obtained which explain 72.1 % of the variance. By cluster analysis it was obtained four groups with characteristics which varied by farm size, age and personal situation of farmers, farm management and farm profitability. The principal problems found are low productivity in the herds and the poor marketing channels of animals produced. In two groups, due to the low size and poor management, the profitability of the farms is very low and this may compromise their future. To improve production systems, the training and advice of farmers should be strengthened, investment should be supported, especially for young people, and the farmer partnership should be promoted. There is also a need to diversify the families' sources of income (sale of other farm products or handicrafts and touristic activities).Ministerio de Economía de Chile Innova-CORFO Project 11 NTEC 1279

Proposal of environmental indicators of sustainability for ruminant pastoral production system

Este artículo es la continuación de un estudio previo presentado por los autores en el Seminario FAO-CIEHAM (Organización para la Agricultura y la Alimentación- Centro Internacional de Altos Estudios Agronómicos Mediterráneos) celebrado en Sevilla, España, en 2005, en el cual se realizó un análisis preliminar acerca del uso de los indicadores de la FAO-CIEHAM para evaluar la sustentabilidad de granjas con pequeños rumiantes. El artículo que se presenta ofrece una lista de 48 indicadores ambientales genéricos, adaptada a las granjas con pequeños rumiantes con relación a ocho aspectos: prácticas agrícolas, suelo, agua, paisaje, energía, residuos, bienestar animal y biodiversidad. Se necesita trabajo adicional para completar y perfeccionar esta lista, la cual se ha obtenido a partir de la consulta a expertos y de una revisión de metodologías existentes.This paper is the continuation of a previous study presented by the authors in the FAO-CIEHAM (Food and Agriculture OrganizationInternational Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies) seminar in Seville in 2005, in which, a preliminary analysis was made of the use of FAO-CIHEAM indicators to evaluate sustainability of small ruminant farms. The paper presented provides a list of 48 generic environmental indicators adapted to small ruminant farms with respect to eight aspects: agricultural practices, soil, water, landscape, energy, residues, animal welfare, and biodiversity. Further work is necessary to complete and perfect this list which has been obtained from a review of methodologi

Botanical Composition and Nutritive Value of Grazing Lands from Organic and Conventional Agrosilvopastoral Production Systems of Tropical Southeastern Mexico

In the current situation of agriculture, organic livestock farming has been not only adapted to ameliorate undesirable impacts on environment but also it is challenged to hold or improve agricultural yields obtain-ed by conventional agriculture. In the Mesoamerican biological corridor, a region recognized with an abundant diversity, almost all animal husbandry is based on extensive grazing and traditional agrosilvopastoral systems (Nahed-Toral et al. 2009; Nahed et al. 2010). Furthermore, the conversion of natural jungle areas to new farmland through deforestation is a prevalent problem for biological conservation. Therefore, precise knowledge for suitable agriculture and livestock product-ion are needed to stop the ecological damage while the economic and social aspects are attended. The present study aims to investigate the relative frequency of botanical species for ruminant production in organic and conventional systems in south-eastern Mexico. The study would help to describe forage availabilities and nutritive potential of species that can be use as basis to plan more efficient agrosilvopastoral systems while preserving ecological and sustainable farming practices

Evaluating mountain goat dairy systems for conversion to the organic model, using a multicriteria method

Organic farming conserves natural resources, promotes biodiversity, guarantees animal welfare and obtains healthy products from raw materials through natural processes. In order to evaluate possibilities of increasing organic animal production, this study proposes a farm-scale multicriteria method for assessing the conversion of dairy goat systems to the organic model. In addition, a case study in the Northern Sierra of Seville, southern Spain, is analysed. A consensus of expert opinions and a field survey are used to validate a list of potential indicators and issues for assessing the conversion, which consider not only the European Community regulations for organic livestock farming, but also agroecological principles. As a result, the method includes 56 variables integrated in nine indicators: Nutritional management, Sustainable pasture management, Soil fertility and contamination, Weed and pest control, Disease prevention, Breeds and reproduction, Animal welfare, Food safety and Marketing and management. The nine indicators are finally integrated in a global index named OLPI (Organic Livestock Proximity Index). Application of the method to a case study with 24 goat farms reveals an OLPI value of 46.5% for dairy goat farms located in mountain areas of southern Spain. The aspects that differ most from the agroecological model include soil management, animal nutrition and product marketing. Results of the case study indicate that the proposed method is easy to implement and is useful for quantifying the approximation of conventional farms to an organic model

Organic and conventional dairy goat production systems in Andalusian mountainous areas

Organic goat production is poorly developed in Spain. Conventional dairy goat production systems located in Andalusian mountainous areas greatly depend on pasturing which implies that its transformation to organic model is not difficult. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the viability of organic dairy goat farms –as compared to conventional–, and to study the possibilities of transitioning from conventional to organic goat production. This study was carried out in 2006 in Sierra de Cádiz (Andalusia) with the autochthonous breed Payoya. To monitor technico-economic aspects of goat farms, FAO-CIHEAM method was implemented. Results indicate that organic farms are economically viable, due mainly to low costs of external feeds and income from European Union subsidies. For transitioning from conventional to organic dairy goat production a reduction of consumption of concentrates per animal and per year and/or cultivate grain on the farm are necessary.La production caprine biologique est encore peu développée en Espagne. Les systèmes caprins laitiers dans les zones de montagne de l’Andalousie disposent de grandes surfaces pour le pâturage, et, par conséquent, il est assez facile de transformer ces systèmes en systèmes biologiques. L’objectif de ce travail est d’évaluer la viabilité des systèmes caprins biologiques par rapport aux systèmes caprins conventionnels et d’étudier les possibilités de conversion des systèmes conventionnels en systèmes biologiques. L’étude a été réalisée en 2006 dans la Sierra de Cádiz (Andalousie) avec une race autochtone (Payoya). On a utilisé la méthodologie FAO-CIHEAM pour le suivi technico-économique des exploitations caprines. Les résultats montrent que les systèmes biologiques sont économiquement viables compte tenu surtout des moindres coûts alimentaires par rapport aux systèmes conventionnels et des aides de l’Union Européenne. Pour réussir la transformation des systèmes laitiers caprins conventionnels en systèmes biologiques, il faut réduire l’apport de concentrés et essayer de les produire dans l’exploitation.Junta Andalucí

Social indicators for evaluating sustainability of goat livestock farms: methodological approach

Currently, sustainability is an objective for any economic activity or development process. Many studies with theoretical reflections relating to the concept of sustainability exist, but few methodological contributions adequately quantify and evaluate the level of sustainability of agraricultural systems, specifically with respect to small ruminant. The level of sustainability of these systems should be estimated taking into account not only economic and environmental aspects, but also social ones. Despite its importance to the functioning of agraricultural systems, the social dimension has been little addressed, and is frequently ignored in studies of this nature. Then, the objective of this study is to carry out methodological reflections based on identification and quantification of social indicators applied to goat livestock farms. Furthermore, this study forms part of a broader comparative study on sustainable development of animal systems in Andalusia (Spain) and Chiapas (Mexico), in which economic, environmental, and social indicators are used in an integrated manner. The methodology used to obtain indicators is based on the authors´ knowledge of the functioning of goat livestock systems, focus groups and opinions of experts in the field, and revision of the available bibliography. As a result of the study, we propose a group of indicators made up of several variables based on the logical-mathematical principals of different scales of measurement as well as on multicriteria analysis. The social indicators proposed refer to several themes: i) multi-functionality; ii) membership in professional associations; iii) implication for local life; iv) social well-being (quality of life, especially that related to work); and v) continuity of the goats livestock activity

Laboratorios interactivos para el aprendizaje experiencial y el manejo integrado del parasitismo gastrointestinal de ovinos y caprinos

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of interactive laboratories in generating meaningful learning, modifier of parasite control practices. Interactive laboratories are a methodology for the building of knowledge that facilitate the interaction of sheep and goat farmers with laboratory techniques, on their own farm, to enrich their perceptions about the parasitic process. The research was conducted in the Cauto River Valley, Cuba, in the municipalities of Jiguaní and Bayamo. Fifty sheep and goat farmers were studied. From an interpretative approach, the effect of the activities implemented with the methodology of interactive laboratories on the learning of farmers regarding gastrointestinal strongylosis of small ruminants was evaluated. The participating farmers showed a limited initial understanding of the processes of parasitic infestation based on the lack of previous perceptions about them. The interactive laboratories allowed the creation of key perceptions of the parasitic process, such as etiological agents, sources of infestation and transmission mechanisms; based on a new semantic network with concepts assimilated from visual and lived experience. This allowed the conceptual differentiation of gastrointestinal strongyles with respect to other etiological agents, as well as different stages of the life cycle of these parasites. As a consequence, there was meaningful learning with effective changes in parasite control practices, consistent with preventive strategies.El objetivo fue evaluar la efectividad de los laboratorios interactivos en la generación de un aprendizaje significativo, modificador de las prácticas de control parasitario. Los laboratorios interactivos son una metodología para la construcción de saberes que facilitan la interacción de los criadores de ovinos y caprinos con técnicas de laboratorio, en su propia finca, para enriquecer sus percepciones sobre el proceso parasitario. La investigación se desarrolló en el Valle del Río Cauto, Cuba, en los municipios de Jiguaní y Bayamo. Se estudiaron 50 criadores de ovinos y caprinos. Desde un enfoque interpretativo, se evaluó el efecto de las actividades implementadas con la metodología de laboratorios interactivos sobre el aprendizaje de los criadores respecto a la estrongilosis gastrointestinal de los pequeños rumiantes. Los criadores participantes mostraron un entendimiento inicial limitado de los procesos de infestación parasitaria a partir de la falta de percepciones previas sobre los mismos. Los laboratorios interactivos permitieron la creación de percepciones clave del proceso parasitario, tales como agentes etiológicos, fuentes de infestación y mecanismos de transmisión; sustentadas en una nueva red semántica con conceptos asimilados a partir de la experiencia visual y vivencial. Esto permitió la diferenciación conceptual de los estrongílidos gastrointestinales con respecto a otros agentes etiológicos, así como diferentes estadios del ciclo de vida de estos parásitos. Como consecuencia, se produjo un aprendizaje significativo con cambios efectivos en las prácticas de control parasitario, consistentes con estrategias preventivas

Evaluación de la proximidad de sistemas ovinos de la raza Segureña a un modelo de producción agroecológico

La sociedad europea demanda cada vez más que la producción de alimentos sea respetuosa con el medio ambiente, cuidando además su calidad nutritiva. Muchos de los sistemas pastorales de pequeños rumiantes presentes en España cumplen con la mayoría de los criterios de sostenibilidad. Los sistemas de la raza Segureña se basan en un modelo pastoral en una de las zonas más desfavorecidas del territorio español. Con el presente trabajo se pretende valorar la cercanía que dichos sistemas tienen a un modelo agroecológico optimizado. Los resultados muestran un valor de cercanía o proximidad del 64,4%, pudiendo este valor aumentar realizando algunas modificaciones funcionales o de manejo. El manejo alimentario es el aspecto que tiene una mayor proximidad, en cambio los factores relacionados con la sanidad son los que presentan menores valores de proximidad. Potenciar los aspectos agroecológicos que favorezcan la sostenibilidad a través de criterios que sean fácilmente comprensibles por los consumidores, mejora las posibilidades de comercialización de los productos de estos sistemas en nichos de mercado especializados