Greenhouse gas balance and carbon footprint of pasture-based beef cattle production systems in the tropical region (Atlantic Forest biome).

The production of beef cattle in the Atlantic Forest biome mostly takes place in pastoral production systems. There are millions of hectares covered with pastures in this biome, including degraded pasture (DP), and only small area of the original Atlantic Forest has been preserved in tropics, implying that actions must be taken by the livestock sector to improve sustainability. Intensification makes it possible to produce the same amount, or more beef, in a smaller area; however, the environmental impacts must be assessed. Regarding climate change, the C dynamics is essential to define which beef cattle systems are sustainable. The objectives of this study were to investigate the C balance (t CO2e./ha per year), the intensity of C emission (kg CO2e./kg BW or carcass) and the C footprint (t CO2e./ha per year) of pasture-based beef cattle production systems, inside the farm gate and considering the inputs. The results were used to calculate the number of trees to be planted in beef cattle production systems to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The GHG emission and C balance, for 2 years, were calculated based on the global warming potential (GWP) of AR4 and GWP of AR5. Forty-eight steers were allotted to four grazing systems: DP, irrigated high stocking rate pasture (IHS), rainfed high stocking rate pasture (RHS) and rainfed medium stocking rate pasture (RMS). The rainfed systems (RHS and RMS) presented the lowest C footprints (-1.22 and 0.45 t CO2e./ha per year, respectively), with C credits to RMS when using the GWP of AR4. The IHS system showed less favorable results for C footprint (-15.71 t CO2e./ha per year), but results were better when emissions were expressed in relation to the annual BW gain (-10.21 kg CO2e./kg BW) because of its higher yield. Although the DP system had an intermediate result for C footprint (-6.23 t CO2e./ha per year), the result was the worst (-30.21 CO2e./kg BW) when the index was expressed in relation to the annual BW gain, because in addition to GHG emissions from the animals in the system there were also losses in the annual rate of C sequestration. Notably, the intensification in pasture management had a land-saving effect (3.63 ha for IHS, 1.90 for RHS and 1.19 for RMS), contributing to the preservation of the tropical forest.

The effect of grazing system intensification on the growth and meat quality of beef cattle in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of four levels of intensification of grazing systems: 1) degraded pasture - DP; 2) irrigated pasture with high stocking rate - IHS; 3) dryland pasture with high stocking rate - DHS; 4) dryland pasture with moderate stocking rate - DMS; on growth, muscle development and meat quality of Nellore steers (271±2.2kg of live body weight - BW; 15months old) during two consecutive periods (17 and 15months). The final BW, the average daily BW gain, the hot carcass weight and the dress percentage were greater (P<0.0001), and the ribeye area tended to be greater (P=0.085), in the intensified systems compared to the degraded system. Animals in all systems presented similar back fat. Muscle development increased with the intensification of the grazing systems and meat quality was not affected.

Sugarcane silage treated with calcium hydroxide in feedlot cattle diet: animal performance and meat quality / Desempenho e qualidade da carne de novilhos confinados alimentados com silagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com hidróxido de cálcio

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar silagem de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L) tratada com hidróxido de cálcio - Ca(OH)2 - (cal hidratada) como único volumoso em ração para confinamento de gado de corte, com respeito ao desempenho e qualidade da carne dos animais. Quarenta e cinco novilhos Canchim (22 meses de idade, 345 kg de peso vivo- PV) foram distribuídos, em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, em três tratamentos (rações totais - RTs - com 35% de volumoso): T1 - RT com cana-de-açúcar fresca; T2 - RT com silagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com hidróxido de cálcio (10 g Ca(OH)2/kg de forragem fresca); T3 - RT com silagem de milho. Foram avaliados o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), consumo de MS digestível (CMSD), consumo de proteína bruta (CPB), eficiência alimentar (EA), ganho médio diário (GMD) e rendimento de carcaça (RC). A carne foi avaliada quanto a parâmetros de qualidade (pH, capacidade de retenção de água, perdas no cozimento, cor e força de cisalhamento) e de análise sensorial descritiva. Os novilhos alimentados com a silagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com hidróxido de cálcio apresentaram similares (P>0.05) CMS (10,8 kg/d), CMSD (8,5 kg/d) e RC (52,6%); mais alto (P0.05) (1,5 kg PV/d e 0,15 kg PV/kg CMS, respectivamente). As diferentes rações não afetaram (P>0.05) os parâmetros de qualidade e os atributos sensoriais da carne, com exceção da cor da gordura e sabor estranho na carne. Concluiu-se que o hidróxido de cálcio pode ser indicado como um eficiente aditivo para...

This study aimed to evaluate sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L) silage treated with calcium hydroxide - Ca(OH)2 - (slacked lime) as the only roughage source in a feedlot ration, regarding animal performance and meat quality. Forty five Canchim steers (22 months old, 345 kg body weight - BW) were assigned, in a complete randomized block design, to three treatments (total mixed rations - TMRs - with 35% roughage): T1- TMR with fresh sugarcane; T2 - TMR with sugarcane silage treated with calcium hydroxide (10 g Ca(OH)2/kg of fresh forage); T3 - TMR with corn silage. Dry matter intake (DMI), digestible DM intake (DDMI), crude protein intake (CPI), feed efficiency (FE), average daily gain (ADG) and dressing percentage (DP) were evaluated. Meat was analyzed for quality parameters (pH, water holding capacity, cooking loss, color and shear force) and sensory attributes. Steers fed the silage treated with calcium hydroxide presented similar (P>0.05) DMI (10.8 kg DM/d), DDMI (8.5 kg/d) and DP (52.6%); higher CPI (1.8 vs. 1.4 kg/d) and lower (P0.05) ADG and FE (1.5 kg BW/d and 0.15 kg BW/kg DMI, respectively). The different rations did not affect (P>0.05) meat quality parameters and sensory attributes, except for fat color and off flavor sensory attribute. It was concluded that calcium hydroxide can be indicated as an efficient additive for sugarcane ensilage. Feedlot cattle fed TMR containing sugarcane silage treated with Ca (OH)2, as the only roughage source, presented adequate performance and meat quality.

Sugarcane silage treated with calcium hydroxide in feedlot cattle diet: animal performance and meat quality / Desempenho e qualidade da carne de novilhos confinados alimentados com silagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com hidróxido de cálcio

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar silagem de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L) tratada com hidróxido de cálcio - Ca(OH)2 - (cal hidratada) como único volumoso em ração para confinamento de gado de corte, com respeito ao desempenho e qualidade da carne dos animais. Quarenta e cinco novilhos Canchim (22 meses de idade, 345 kg de peso vivo- PV) foram distribuídos, em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, em três tratamentos (rações totais - RTs - com 35% de volumoso): T1 - RT com cana-de-açúcar fresca; T2 - RT com silagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com hidróxido de cálcio (10 g Ca(OH)2/kg de forragem fresca); T3 - RT com silagem de milho. Foram avaliados o consumo de matéria seca (CMS), consumo de MS digestível (CMSD), consumo de proteína bruta (CPB), eficiência alimentar (EA), ganho médio diário (GMD) e rendimento de carcaça (RC). A carne foi avaliada quanto a parâmetros de qualidade (pH, capacidade de retenção de água, perdas no cozimento, cor e força de cisalhamento) e de análise sensorial descritiva. Os novilhos alimentados com a silagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com hidróxido de cálcio apresentaram similares (P>0.05) CMS (10,8 kg/d), CMSD (8,5 kg/d) e RC (52,6%); mais alto (P<0.05) CPB (1,8 vs. 1,4 kg/d) e menor (P<0.05) GMD (1,58 vs. 1,81 kg PV/d) comparados aos que receberam silagem de milho. Comparados aos animais alimentados com cana-de-açúcar fresca, os novilhos alimentados com silagem de cana-de-açúcar tratada com hidróxido de cálcio apresentaram maior (P<0.05) CMS (10,9 vs. 9,4 kg MS/d), CMSD (8,70 vs. 7,4 kg/d), CPB (1,8 vs. 1,1 kg/d) e RC (52,7 vs. 51,2%), mas o GMD e EA foram similares (P>0.05) (1,5 kg PV/d e 0,15 kg PV/kg CMS, respectivamente). As diferentes rações não afetaram (P>0.05) os parâmetros de qualidade e os atributos sensoriais da carne, com exceção da cor da gordura e sabor estranho na carne. Concluiu-se que o hidróxido de cálcio pode ser indicado como um eficiente aditivo para...(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L) silage treated with calcium hydroxide - Ca(OH)2 - (slacked lime) as the only roughage source in a feedlot ration, regarding animal performance and meat quality. Forty five Canchim steers (22 months old, 345 kg body weight - BW) were assigned, in a complete randomized block design, to three treatments (total mixed rations - TMRs - with 35% roughage): T1- TMR with fresh sugarcane; T2 - TMR with sugarcane silage treated with calcium hydroxide (10 g Ca(OH)2/kg of fresh forage); T3 - TMR with corn silage. Dry matter intake (DMI), digestible DM intake (DDMI), crude protein intake (CPI), feed efficiency (FE), average daily gain (ADG) and dressing percentage (DP) were evaluated. Meat was analyzed for quality parameters (pH, water holding capacity, cooking loss, color and shear force) and sensory attributes. Steers fed the silage treated with calcium hydroxide presented similar (P>0.05) DMI (10.8 kg DM/d), DDMI (8.5 kg/d) and DP (52.6%); higher CPI (1.8 vs. 1.4 kg/d) and lower (P<0.05) ADG (1.58 vs. 1.81 kg BW/d) and FE (0.15 vs. 0.17 kg BW/kg DMI) in comparison to those receiving corn silage. Compared to animals fed the fresh sugarcane, steers fed sugarcane silage treated with calcium hydroxide presented higher (P<0.05) DMI (10.9 vs. 9.4 kg DM/d), DDMI (8.7 vs. 7.4 kg/d), CPI (1.8 vs. 1.1 kg/d) and DP (52.7% vs. 51.2%) but similar (P>0.05) ADG and FE (1.5 kg BW/d and 0.15 kg BW/kg DMI, respectively). The different rations did not affect (P>0.05) meat quality parameters and sensory attributes, except for fat color and off flavor sensory attribute. It was concluded that calcium hydroxide can be indicated as an efficient additive for sugarcane ensilage. Feedlot cattle fed TMR containing sugarcane silage treated with Ca (OH)2, as the only roughage source, presented adequate performance and meat quality.(AU)

Chemical composition, fermentation profile and apparent digestibility of sugarcane silage treated with chemical additives / Composição química, perfil fermentativo e digestabilidade aparente de silagens de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com aditivos químicos

The aim of this study was the indication of an additive for the ensilage of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). In a laboratory trial, nine treatments were applied (g of additive/kg of fresh forage - FF) to the sugarcane (RB867515), before ensiling in minisilos (15 x 30 cm PVC tubes) during 78 days: untreated; urea (5) + sodium benzoate (0.5); urea (7.5) + benzoate (0.5); urea (5) + benzoate (0.75); urea (7.5) + benzoate (0.75); sodium propionate (1, 2 and 4); calcium hydroxide (10). Urea + benzoate in the lowest doses, propionate in the higher concentration and calcium hydroxide were selected, considering the ethanol content (26.5, 27.2 and 7.4 g/kg DM, respectively), total DM loss (88, 46 and 58 g/kg DM, respectively) and digestibility (541, 496 and 516 g/kg DM, respectively) of the silages. Silages treated with these doses of additives and the untreated silage (80 d of storage) were fed (nine + seven d) to 16 castrated male sheep (Santa Inês) housed in metabolic cages. The silage with calcium hydroxide presented coefficients of apparent digestibility of DM (0.44), of NDF (0.4) and DM intake (20 g/kg live weight) in the higher levels. Calcium hydroxide was superior to propionate and urea + benzoate, considering alcoholic fermentation control and reduction of losses in the silage and the forages nutritional value.

O objetivo deste estudo foi indicar um aditivo para a ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.). Em um ensaio de laboratório, nove tratamentos foram aplicados (g de aditivo/kgde forragem fresca - FF) à cana-de-açúcar (RB867515) antes da ensilagem em minisilos (tubos de PVC de 15 x 30 cm) durante 78 d: sem tratamento; uréia (5) + benzoato de sódio (0,5); uréia (7,5) + benzoato (0,5); uréia (5) + benzoato (0,75); uréia (7,5) + benzoato (0,75); propionato de sódio (1, 2 e 4); hidróxido de cálcio (10). Uréia + benzoato nas doses mais baixas, propionato na dose mais alta e hidróxido de cálcio foram selecionados, considerando a concentração de etanol (26,5; 27,2 e 7,4 g/kgMS, respectivamente), perda total de MS (88, 46 e 58 g/kg MS, respectivamente) e digestibilidade (541, 496 e 516 g/kg MS, respectivamente) das silagens. Silagens tratadas com estas dosagens dos aditivos e silagem não tratada (80 d estocagem) foram fornecidas (nove + sete d) a 16 carneiros (Santa Inês) machos castrados mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas. A silagem com hidróxido de cálcio apresentou coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS (0,44), da FDN (0,40) e de ingestão da MS (20 g/kg peso vivo) nos níveis mais altos. Hidróxido de cálcio foi superior ao propionato e à uréia + benzoato, considerando-se o controle da fermentação alcoólica, a redução de perdas e o valor nutritivo da silagem.

Chemical composition, fermentation profile and apparent digestibility of sugarcane silage treated with chemical additives / Composição química, perfil fermentativo e digestabilidade aparente de silagens de cana-de-açúcar tratadas com aditivos químicos

The aim of this study was the indication of an additive for the ensilage of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). In a laboratory trial, nine treatments were applied (g of additive/kg of fresh forage - FF) to the sugarcane (RB867515), before ensiling in minisilos (15 x 30 cm PVC tubes) during 78 days: untreated; urea (5) + sodium benzoate (0.5); urea (7.5) + benzoate (0.5); urea (5) + benzoate (0.75); urea (7.5) + benzoate (0.75); sodium propionate (1, 2 and 4); calcium hydroxide (10). Urea + benzoate in the lowest doses, propionate in the higher concentration and calcium hydroxide were selected, considering the ethanol content (26.5, 27.2 and 7.4 g/kg DM, respectively), total DM loss (88, 46 and 58 g/kg DM, respectively) and digestibility (541, 496 and 516 g/kg DM, respectively) of the silages. Silages treated with these doses of additives and the untreated silage (80 d of storage) were fed (nine + seven d) to 16 castrated male sheep (Santa Inês) housed in metabolic cages. The silage with calcium hydroxide presented coefficients of apparent digestibility of DM (0.44), of NDF (0.4) and DM intake (20 g/kg live weight) in the higher levels. Calcium hydroxide was superior to propionate and urea + benzoate, considering alcoholic fermentation control and reduction of losses in the silage and the forages nutritional value.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi indicar um aditivo para a ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum L.). Em um ensaio de laboratório, nove tratamentos foram aplicados (g de aditivo/kgde forragem fresca - FF) à cana-de-açúcar (RB867515) antes da ensilagem em minisilos (tubos de PVC de 15 x 30 cm) durante 78 d: sem tratamento; uréia (5) + benzoato de sódio (0,5); uréia (7,5) + benzoato (0,5); uréia (5) + benzoato (0,75); uréia (7,5) + benzoato (0,75); propionato de sódio (1, 2 e 4); hidróxido de cálcio (10). Uréia + benzoato nas doses mais baixas, propionato na dose mais alta e hidróxido de cálcio foram selecionados, considerando a concentração de etanol (26,5; 27,2 e 7,4 g/kgMS, respectivamente), perda total de MS (88, 46 e 58 g/kg MS, respectivamente) e digestibilidade (541, 496 e 516 g/kg MS, respectivamente) das silagens. Silagens tratadas com estas dosagens dos aditivos e silagem não tratada (80 d estocagem) foram fornecidas (nove + sete d) a 16 carneiros (Santa Inês) machos castrados mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas. A silagem com hidróxido de cálcio apresentou coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS (0,44), da FDN (0,40) e de ingestão da MS (20 g/kg peso vivo) nos níveis mais altos. Hidróxido de cálcio foi superior ao propionato e à uréia + benzoato, considerando-se o controle da fermentação alcoólica, a redução de perdas e o valor nutritivo da silagem.(AU)