scholarly journals A Review of Beef Production Systems for the Sustainable Use of Surplus Male Dairy-Origin Calves Within the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi H. Rutherford ◽  
Francis O. Lively ◽  
Gareth Arnott
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Welfare Benefits ◽  
Market Requirements ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

The UK dairy herd is predominantly of the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed, with a major emphasis placed on milk yield. Subsequently, following years of continued single-trait selection, the beef production potential of dairy bred calves has declined. Thus, male HF calves are commonly seen as a by-product of the dairy industry. Limited markets, perceived low economic value and high rearing costs mean that these surplus calves are often euthanised shortly after birth or exported to the EU for further production. Welfare concerns have been raised regarding both euthanasia and long distance transportation of these calves. Furthermore, total UK beef consumption increased by 8.5% from 2009 to 2019. Thus, in light of this growing demand, beef from the dairy herd could be better utilized within the UK. Therefore, the potential for these calves to be used in a sustainable, cost-effective beef production system with high welfare standards within the UK requires investigation. Thus, the aim of this review was to evaluate both steer and bull beef production systems, examining the impact on performance, health, welfare, and economic potential to enable a sustainable farming practice, while meeting UK market requirements. The principal conclusions from this review indicate that there is the potential for these calves to be used in UK based production systems and meet market requirements. Of the steer production systems, a 24 month system appears to achieve a balance between input costs, growth from pasture and carcass output, albeit the literature is undecided on the optimum system. The situation is similar for bull beef production systems, high input systems do achieve the greatest gain in the shortest period of time, however, these systems are not sustainable in volatile markets with fluctuating concentrate prices. Thus, again the inclusion of a grazing period, may increase the resilience of these systems. Furthermore, production systems incorporating a period at pasture are seen to have animal welfare benefits. The main welfare concern for surplus dairy bred calves is often poor colostrum management at birth. While in steer systems, consideration needs to be given to welfare regarding castration, with the negative impacts being minimized by completing this procedure soon after birth.

Future suckler beef production systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 39-39
Author(s):  
M.J. Drennan
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Total Meat ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Eu

A feature of EU beef production following the introduction of milk quotas in 1984 has been the decrease in calf supplies from the dairy herd and increased supplies from the suckler herd. As a result, suckler cows have increased from 20% of the cow herd in 1984 to 32% in 1993. Corresponding increases for Ireland were 21 to 42% and for the UK 29% to 39%.A major concern has been the decline in beef consumption in recent years (Food and Drink Information Service 1994). Although total meat consumption per capita in the EU 12 increased from 80.2 kg in 1987 to 82.6 kg in 1993 beef consumption declined from 17.0 to 15.1 kg over the same period. While price may have been a contributing factor to the decline, other factors are also involved. These factors can collectively be described as meat quality. Quality factors which are measurable include leaness, tenderness, flavour and colour.

Future suckler beef production systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 39-39
Author(s):  
M.J. Drennan
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Total Meat ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Eu

A feature of EU beef production following the introduction of milk quotas in 1984 has been the decrease in calf supplies from the dairy herd and increased supplies from the suckler herd. As a result, suckler cows have increased from 20% of the cow herd in 1984 to 32% in 1993. Corresponding increases for Ireland were 21 to 42% and for the UK 29% to 39%.A major concern has been the decline in beef consumption in recent years (Food and Drink Information Service 1994). Although total meat consumption per capita in the EU 12 increased from 80.2 kg in 1987 to 82.6 kg in 1993 beef consumption declined from 17.0 to 15.1 kg over the same period. While price may have been a contributing factor to the decline, other factors are also involved. These factors can collectively be described as meat quality. Quality factors which are measurable include leaness, tenderness, flavour and colour.

114 What Is the Impact of Dairy Influence Cattle on the Traditional Beef Industry Structure?

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 38-39
Author(s):  
Bradley J Johnson ◽  
Luke Fuerniss
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
The United States ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Industry Structure ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The U.S. cow inventory includes approximately 31 million beef cows and 9 million dairy cows, so flow of cattle from dairies into beef production influences the traditional beef industry structure. Dairy-influenced cattle have historically entered the beef supply chain as cull cows and calf-fed Holstein steers. Culled dairy cows account for approximately half of the cows harvested in the United States annually. Fed steers and heifers of dairy influence are estimated to account for 15% of annual steer and heifer slaughter. Advancements in data availability, genomics, and reproductive technologies have enabled more precise selection of dairy replacement heifers and more pregnancies to be allocated to a terminal sire. Recently, the use of beef semen to breed dairy cows that are not desirable for producing replacement heifers has become more widespread. Beef-on-dairy calves are often moved to calf ranches shortly after birth where they are weaned and grown before transitioning to traditional grow yards or feedlots. In comparison to traditional range beef production, calves of dairy origin are weaned at a younger age, have more restricted mobility early in life, and are fed a delivered ration for a greater number of days. While carcasses of dairy-originated fed cattle excel in subcutaneous leanness and marbling, calves originating from dairies typically experience greater morbidity, poorer feed conversion, and poorer dressed yields compared to native fed cattle. Future opportunities to optimize beef production from the dairy herd include refining sire selection to consistently produce high quality calves, reducing variation in calfhood management, and identifying optimal nutrition and growth technology programs for calves from dairies.

scholarly journals Sheep scab spatial distribution: the roles of transmission pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Joanne Nixon ◽  
Ellen Brooks-Pollock ◽  
Richard Wall
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Infected Sheep ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Psoroptes Ovis ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Sheep Scab ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is a highly pathogenic contagious infection caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis. Following 21 years in which scab was eradicated in the UK, it was inadvertently reintroduced in 1972 and, despite the implementation of a range of control methods, its prevalence increased steadily thereafter. Recent reports of resistance to macrocyclic lactone treatments may further exacerbate control problems. A better understanding of the factors that facilitate its transmission are required to allow improved management of this disease. Transmission of infection occurs within and between contiguous sheep farms via infected sheep-to-sheep or sheep–environment contact and through long-distance movements of infected sheep, such as through markets. Methods A stochastic metapopulation model was used to investigate the impact of different transmission routes on the spatial pattern of outbreaks. A range of model scenarios were considered following the initial infection of a cluster of highly connected contiguous farms. Results Scab spreads between clusters of neighbouring contiguous farms after introduction but when long-distance movements are excluded, infection then self-limits spatially at boundaries where farm connectivity is low. Inclusion of long-distance movements is required to generate the national patterns of disease spread observed. Conclusions Preventing the movement of scab infested sheep through sales and markets is essential for any national management programme. If effective movement control can be implemented, regional control in geographic areas where farm densities are high would allow more focussed cost-effective scab management. Graphical Abstract

scholarly journals Land and Water Usage in Beef Production Systems

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Broom
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Silvopastoral Systems ◽  
Water Usage ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Cattle Feed ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Intensive Rearing ◽  
The Impact

This analysis, using published data, compared all land and conserved water use in four beef production systems. A widespread feedlot system and fertilised irrigated pasture systems used similar amounts of land. However, extensive unmodified pasture systems used three times more land, and semi-intensive silvopastoral systems used four times less land, so the highest use was 13 times the lowest. The amount of conserved water used was 64% higher in feedlots with relatively intensive rearing systems than in fertilised irrigated pasture; in extensive unmodified pasture systems, it was 38% and in semi-intensive silvopastoral systems, it was 21% of the fertilised irrigated pasture value, so the highest use was eight times the lowest. If there was no irrigation of pasture or of plants used for cattle feed, the feedlot water use was 12% higher than the fertilised pasture use and 57% higher than that in semi-intensive silvopastoral systems. These large effects of systems on resource use indicate the need to consider all systems when referring to the impact of beef or other products on the global environment. Whilst the use of animals as human food should be reduced, herbivorous animals that consume food that humans cannot eat and are kept using sustainable systems are important for the future use of world resources.

scholarly journals Impact of Universal Credit in North East England: a qualitative study of claimants and support staff

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e029611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Cheetham ◽  
Suzanne Moffatt ◽  
Michelle Addison ◽  
Alice Wiseman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Welfare Benefits ◽  
North East ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Sector ◽  
Roll Out

ObjectivesTo understand the impact of the roll-out of Universal Credit (UC) from the perspectives of claimants and staff supporting them in North East England.DesignQualitative study comprising interviews and focus groups.SettingGateshead and Newcastle, two localities in North East England characterised by high levels of socioeconomic deprivation, where the roll-out of UC started in 2017 as a new way to deliver welfare benefits for the UK working age population.Participants33 UC claimants with complex needs, disabilities and health conditions and 37 staff from local government, housing, voluntary and community sector organisations.ResultsParticipants’ accounts of the UC claims process and the consequences of managing on UC are reported; UC negatively impacts on material wellbeing, physical and mental health, social and family lives. UC claimants described the digital claims process as complicated, disorientating, impersonal, hostile and demeaning. Claimants reported being pushed into debt, rent arrears, housing insecurity, fuel and food poverty through UC. System failures, indifference and delays in receipt of UC entitlements exacerbated the difficulties of managing on a low income. The threat of punitive sanctions for failing to meet the enhanced conditionality requirements under UC added to claimant’s vulnerabilities and distress. Staff reported concerns for claimants and additional pressures on health services, local government and voluntary and community sector organisations as a result of UC.ConclusionsThe findings add considerable detail to emerging evidence of the deleterious effects of UC on vulnerable claimants’ health and wellbeing. Our evidence suggests that UC is undermining vulnerable claimants’ mental health, increasing the risk of poverty, hardship, destitution and suicidality. Major, evidence-informed revisions are required to improve the design and implementation of UC to prevent further adverse effects before large numbers of people move on to UC, as planned by the UK government.

scholarly journals Influence of Beef Production System Technology on Calpain-1 Autolysis and Troponin-T Degradation

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Johnson ◽  
J. K. Grubbs ◽  
K. R. Underwood ◽  
M. J. Webb ◽  
A. D. Blair
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Troponin T ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Myofibrillar Proteins ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesBeef production systems utilize implants and β-agonists to improve beef cattle feed efficiency and promote muscle growth. Warner-Bratzler shear force values can be greater in strip loin steaks from cattle treated with implants or β-agonists. Calpain-1 degrades myofibrillar proteins post-mortem, thus altering calpain-1 activation or autolysis which can influence meat tenderness and proteolysis. The objective of this study was to determine the impact beef production system technologies on calpain-1 autolysis and troponin-T degradation as an indicator of tenderness formation and postmortem proteolysis.Materials and MethodsFrom a larger study, beef striploins (n = 16, n = 4/treatment) from cattle finished utilizing four different production systems were collected for analysis: 1) no antibiotics (NA; receiving no technology); 2) non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC; fed 300 mg monensin and 90 mg tylosin during the finishing phase); 3) implant (IMPL; same technologies as NHTC and administered a series of three implants including a low- potency calf implant [36 mg zeranol], a moderate-potency initial feedyard implant [80 mg trenbolone acetate and 16 mg estradiol], and a high potency finishing implant [200 mg of trenbolone acetate and 20 mg estradiol]; and 4) all previous technologies plus fed a β-agonist (IMBA; same technologies as IMPL and fed 200 mg ractopamine hydrochloride per steer per d). Striploins were vacuum packaged, aged for 7 d, and frozen. Western Blots were conducted for calpain-1 autolysis and troponin-T degradation (30 kDa). Abundance of calpain-1 bands and troponin-T degradation product was normalized by a reference on each gel. Treatments were evaluated in PROC MIXED of SAS 9.2 where least squares means and SEM were computed and separated using least significant differences (PDIFF) when tests for fixed effects were significant at P < 0.05 and trending P ≤ 0.10.ResultsCalpain-1 autolysis differed (P < 0.05) in the IMPL group compared to the NHTC group for both active, 78 kDa band, and the fully autolyzed, 76 kDa band. The IMPL group had a greater percentage (P = 0.0048) of active calpain-1 and a lower percentage (P = 0.0048) of fully autolyzed calpain-1 compared to the NHTC group. Also, a trend was detected when comparing both the active, 78 kDa band, and fully autolyzed, 76 kDa band, in the IMBA and IMPL group where the IMPL group had a greater percentage (P = 0.0727) of active calpain-1 and a lower percentage (P = 0.0727) of fully autolyzed calpain-1. Production system did not influence (P > 0.05) 30 kDa troponin-T product abundance.ConclusionThese data indicate level of technology may play a role in the activation and autolysis of calpain-1 from the 80 kDa inactive form to the 78 kDa active product and finally to the 76 kDa autolyzed product. Calpain-1 autolysis was not measured; however, these data suggest calpain-1 autolysis in the IMPL group may be limited compared with NHTC and IMBA groups. Consequently, calpain-1 may remain in the 78 kDa active form in the implanted cattle, actively degrading myofibrillar proteins. However, production system did not influence troponin-T 30 kDa degradation products. Further analysis of the rate of calpain-1 autolysis and troponin-T degradation at different days of postmortem aging could provide further evidence that different beef production technologies impact calpain-1 autolysis and postmortem proteolysis.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on digital data practices in museums and art galleries in the UK and the US

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Noehrer ◽  
Abigail Gilmore ◽  
Caroline Jay ◽  
Yo Yehudi
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
The United States ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Art Galleries ◽  
Data Practices ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In the first quarter of 2020, the doors of museums around the world shut and their operations at physical sites were reduced in line with necessary security measures. This heralded the beginning of an uncertain future for museums and galleries as the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the only means to stay ‘open’ was to turn towards the digital. In this paper, we investigate how the physical closure of museum buildings due to lockdown restrictions caused shockwaves within their digital strategies and changed their data practices potentially for good. The methodology of the research involves a review of the impact of COVID-19 on the museum sector, based on literature and desk research, with a focus on the implications for three museums and art galleries in the United Kingdom and the United States, and their mission, objectives, and digital data practices. We also present analysis of ten qualitative interviews with expert witnesses working in the sector, representing different roles and types of institutions, undertaken between April and October 2020. Our research finds that digital engagement with museum content and practices around data in institutions have changed and that digital methods for organising and accessing collections for both staff and the general public have become more important. We present evidence that strategic preparedness influenced how well institutions were able to transition during closure and that metrics data became pivotal in understanding this novel situation. Increased engagement online changed traditional audience profiles, challenging museums to find ways of accommodating new forms of engagement in order to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic environment. Our findings point to a longer term shift in the operating models for museums and the need to realise economic value and diversify income streams through digital means, which have not yet been clearly established. The research suggests that the unprecedented situation brought on by the pandemic will shape future museum audiences and their interactions with institutions virtually and physically, posing challenges to museums and their constituents that require structural changes and adaptations, but also present opportunities to successfully survive in an ever-more connected world.

Life-cycle assessment of the intensity of production on the greenhouse gas emissions and economics of grass-based suckler beef production systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 714-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. CLARKE ◽  
P. BRENNAN ◽  
P. CROSSON
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Bioeconomic Model ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
N Application ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYIn Ireland, the largest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is agriculture. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of stocking intensities of beef cattle production systems on technical and economic performance and GHG emissions. A bioeconomic model of Irish suckler beef production systems was used to generate scenarios and to evaluate their technical and economic performance. To model the impact of each scenario on GHG emissions, the output of the bioeconomic model was used as an inventory analysis in a life-cycle assessment model and various GHG emission factors were integrated with the production profile. All the estimated GHG emissions were converted to their 100-year global warming potential carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). The scenarios modelled were bull/heifer and steer/heifer suckler beef production systems at varying stocking intensities. According to policy constraints, stocking intensities were based on the excretion of organic nitrogen (N), which varied depending on animal category. Stocking intensity was increased by increasing fertilizer N application rates. Carcass output and profitability increased with increasing stocking intensity. At a stocking intensity of 150 kg N/ha total emissions were lowest when expressed per kg of beef carcass (20·1 kg CO2e/kg beef) and per hectare (9·2 tCO2e/ha) in the bull/heifer system. Enteric fermentation was the greatest source of GHG emissions and ranged from 0·49 to 0·47 of total emissions with increasing stocking intensity for both production systems. The current study shows that increasing stocking intensity via increased fertilizer N application rates leads to increased profitability on beef farms with only modest increases in GHG emissions.

scholarly journals Environmental Sustainability in Beef Production and Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool for Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-25
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Presumido ◽  
Fernando Sousa ◽  
Artur Gonçalves ◽  
Tatiane Cristina Dal Bosco ◽  
Manuel Feliciano
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Conservation Of Natural Resources ◽  
Intuitive Method ◽  
The Impact

The sustainability of meat production systems has been highlighted by the impact on the environment and the conservation of natural resources. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a specific review of the environmental sustainability of beef production in a life cycle assessment (LCA) context. Questions about the main environmental impacts caused by beef production were discussed. The phases of the LCA were detailed as well as the main functional units, boundaries of the systems and categories of impacts used in recent studies. LCA is a fast, easy and intuitive method that correlates human activities and their environmental performance in different sectors, such as beef production.

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