The increased concentration of greenhouse gas (GHG ) in the atmosphere is a global concern.Coordenador Roberto Giolo de Almeida. II SIGEE

FARIA, B. M. de

FASIABEN, M. do C. R.

GENRO, T. C. M.

LAMPERT, V. do N.

LUCAS, M. A. K.

RUVIARO, C. F.

SANTOS, J. L. S. dos

English

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410Changes in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattleproduction systems on natural grassland in southern BrazilChanges in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattle production systems on natural grassland in southern   BrazilVinícius do Nascimento LAMPERT*1, Jorge Luiz Sant’Anna os SAN-TOS1, Bruna Moscat de FARIA1, Clandio Favarini RUVIARO2, Marco Antonio Karam LUCAS1, Teresa Cristina Moraes GENRO1, Maria do Carmo Ramos FASIABEN 1.1 Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Brazil ; 2 Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), BrazilEmail address of presenting author *: vinicius.lampert@embrapa.brIntroductionThe increased concentration of greenhouse gas (GHG ) in the atmosphere is a global concern. Starting in the last decade, studies and debates about the contribution of beef cattle production to greenhouse gases have intensified, mobilized by different institutions; among them, universities, farmers associations, public figures, the media in general, as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Some recent studies have demonstrated that higher or lower methane production depends fundamentally on the conditions of the production system (Genro et al., 2014; Moscat,  2015).In addition, the interest sparked by this topic has fostered the necessity for mitigation systems evaluations that integrate economic and environmental  performance.  These evaluations have the goal of determining if systems that are capable of mitigating the emission of greenhouse gases are also economically feasible. The tools and strategies that are expected to be utilized by producers should be economically sustainable, otherwise, they run the risk of not being implemented (Berndt,  2010).411Changes in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattleproduction systems on natural grassland in southern BrazilThe objective of this study was to analyze the economic and environmental performance of pasture production systems with different levels of intensification in backgrounding and finishing cattle in southern Brazil in 2015 and 2016. This information will be able to provide important guidelines for farmers making decisions on greenhouse gas mitigation systems and understand its evolution over  time.Material and MethodsThe experiment was conducted in an area belonging to  Embrapa  South  Livestock, located in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul--under the purview of Pecus Network-- during 2013. Economic analysis used current (May 2015) fat cattle prices (R$ 5,40 kg LW-1 and costs. Nine paddocks , approximately seven hectares in size, located in a grassland area were used. Three paddocks were assigned to each of three treatments: natural grassland  field  (NG); natural grassland with nitrogen fertilizer (NGF); natural grassland with nitrogen fertilizer and overseeding of two hibernal species: ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) (NGFS). In all the treatments, the pasture was managed in order to maintain the fodder supply at 12% (12 kg of dry matter/100 kg live weight). For this, three Hereford steers were used in each paddock, where methane emission evaluations were conducted.  In addition, sufficient animals were used to maintain the forage supply at 12%. The average annual capacity of the paddock,  including the regulator animals,  was  nine animals  (NG),    12 animals (NGF) and 13 animals (NGFS). Methane emissions by the animals were measured using the sulphur hexaflouride marker technique, over a five day period, in all seasons of the year (starting on January 21, June 5, July 22, and October 28). Methane samples were collected in the proximity of the animals’ noses with the assistance of regulatory air intake valves, and stored in stainless steel tubes. Data relative to pasture management and animal health conditions were collected in the same fashion during the experimental period. The economic analysis of the emissions was obtained by relating the gross margin and  the methane emission per hectare. This emission/benefit relation allowed for the measurement 412Changes in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattleproduction systems on natural grassland in southern Brazilof economic return for each gram of methane emission in each of the three studied systems, taking into consideration the effective operational costs and payments to outsourced mechanized services.Results and ConclusionsLower methane emissions by area occurred in the NF system with lower  meat production per hectare, with a value of 97.32 kg of CH4/ha/year. However, if we analyze the methane production per kilo of live weight gain (LWG), the lowest observed value was in systems with higher intensification (Table 1). This demonstrates that methane emission per kilo of LWG is lowered with system intensification (Genro et al., 2014). animals (NGF) and 13 animals (NGFS).  Methane emissions by the animals were measured using the sulphur hexaflouride mark r technique, over a five day period, in all seasons of the year (starting on January 21, June 5, July 22, and October 28).  Methane samples were collected in the proximity of the animals’ noses with the assistance of regulatory air intake valves, and stored in stainless steel tubes. Data relative to pasture management and animal health conditions were collected in the same fashion during the experimental period.  The economic analysis of the emissions was obtained by relating the gross margin and the methane emission per hectare.  This emission/benefit relation allowed for the measurement of economic return for each gram of methane emission in each of the three studied systems, taking into consideration the effective operational costs and payments to outsourced mechanized services.  Results and Conclusions Lower methane emissions by area occurred in the NF system with lower meat production per hectare, with a value of 97.32 kg of CH4/ha/year.  However, if we analyze the methane production per kilo of live weight gain (LWG), the lowest observed value was in systems with higher intensification (Table 1).  This demonstrates that methane emission per kilo of LWG is lowered with system intensification (Genro et al., 2014).  Table 1. Stocking rate values (kg LW ha-1), live weight gain per area (kg LW ha-1 year-1), methane emission by live weight gain (g CH4 kg LWG-1 day-1), gross margin per area (R$ ha-1 year-1) in each of the three systems in 2015 and 2016.  Stocking rate  (kg LW ha-1) Weight gain  (kg LWG ha-1 year-1) CH4 emission  (g CH4 kg LWG-1 day-1) Gross Margin  (R$ ha-1 year-1) 2015 Gross Margin  (R$ ha-1 year-1) 2016 NG 423 123 0.79 103,90 133,00 NGF 583 228 0.49 201,50 184,20 NGFS 628 310 0.43 416,00 307,00   Figure 1. Comparison the changes the Benefit/Emission relation (R$ kg CH4-1) in natural grassland field (NG); natural grassland with nitrogen fertilizer (NGF); natural grassland with nitrogen fertilizer and overseeding of two hibernal species (NGFS) between 2015 and 2016. Table 1. Stocking rate values (kg LW ha-1), live weight gain per area (kg LW ha-1 year-1), methane emission by live weight gain (g CH4 kg LWG-1 day-1), gross margin per area (R$ ha-1 year-1) in each of the three systems in 2015 and 2016.Figure 1. Comparison the changes the Benefit/Emission relation (R$ kg CH4-1) in natural grassland field (NG); natural grassland with nitrogen ferti-lizer (NGF); natural grassland with nitrogen fertilizer and overseeding of two hibernal species (NGFS) between 2015 and 2016.413Changes in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattleproduction systems on natural grassland in southern BrazilThe   improvement   in   environmental  performance  obtained   with   intensification  also resulted in an improvement in economic performance. There was an increase in economic return per hectare with fertilization and enhancement of natural grassland as compared to NG. The relation between financial benefit and the emission of one kg of methane is better to NGFS. If a farmer sought the same profit, but decided not to invest in increasing productivity, on average, this decision would double the amount of methane emissions for the same meat production. It should be noted that the advantages of intensification may be even greater when the soil carbon balance is considered in the economic analyses (Berndt, 2010). However, due to rising costs although there was an increase in prices received by producers the advantage of NGF and NGFS systems  decreasedThe use of fertilization and the introduction of hibernal species to native grasslands has been shown to be sustainable both in terms of methane  emission per  kilo  of live weight,  as well as in productive and economic terms per hectare and in terms of the cost/benefit re-lation of emissions. However, an important research topic is to unders-tand how is the relationship between prices received and prices paid by producers and emissions in different  systems. Perhaps there is a limit, a relationship between inputs and products that stimulate or not to intensify systems.ReferencesBERNDT, Alexandre. 2010. Impacto da pecuária de corte brasileira sobre os gases do efeito estufa. Posted on Brazilian Agricultural Research Organization (Embrapa). Available in: http://ainfo.cnptia.embrapa.br/digital/bitstream/item/125797/1/PRO-DI-2010.00331.pdf.GENRO, T.C.M., FARIA,  B., SILVA, M. da;  AMARAL, G.;  CEZIMBRA,  I., SAVIAN,   J., BERNDT, A., BAYER, C. and CARVALHO, P et al. 2014. Methane emission by beef steers on natural grassland in Southern Brazil. In Livestock, Climate Change and Food Security Conference, Madrid, Spain. Proceedings... 48.414Changes in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattleproduction systems on natural grassland in southern BrazilMOSCAT, F. B. 2015.Emissão de metano e comportamento ingestivo de bovinos de corte em pastagem natural com diferentes níveis de intensificação. Tese (Doutorado) - Programa de Pós- Graduação em Zootecnia, Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre. 138f. Available in: http://www.bibliotecadigital.ufrgs.br/da.php?nrb=000976331&loc=2015&l=4a1ad1954e4a03ae

Changes in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattle production systems on natural grassland in southern Brazil.

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Changes in the economic and environmental performance assessment of beef cattle production systems on natural grassland in southern Brazil.

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