scholarly journals Sustainability of Livestock Systems in the Pampa Biome of Brazil: An Analysis Highlighting the Rangeland Dilemma

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13781
Author(s):  
João Garibaldi Almeida Viana ◽  
Rafaela Vendruscolo ◽  
Vicente Celestino Pires Silveira ◽  
Fernando Luiz Ferreira de Quadros ◽  
Mariana Patricia Mezzomo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Pampa Biome ◽  
Livestock Systems ◽  
Livestock System

The objective of this study was to analyse the sustainability of different livestock systems in the Brazilian Pampa biome, from the perspective of the rangeland dilemma. We used the indicator-based framework for evaluating the sustainability of natural resource management systems (MESMIS). These were constructed for social, economic and environmental dimensions, and they were measured across a study suite of 115 establishments, representing the rangeland livestock system (RLS), intensive livestock system, and livestock–agricultural system (ALS). Indicator averages were compared between three systems via ANOVA and Tukey test. The results allocated a higher level of sustainability to RLS. When the three land-use systems were analysed across the dimensions, significant differences were found in their environmental sustainability, with the ALS presenting poorer results. Within each dimension, there were significant differences in the indicators for production systems, social participation and capital flow. We discussed two main points: the results found through the concept of the rangeland dilemma, by exploring its conditions, in addition to exposing the concept of functional integrity. In conclusion, an approach to develop policies for the Pampa is to recognize the rangeland as a “common good”, to generate income and stimulate the local economy.

Quantifying the contribution of livestock health issues to the environmental impact of their production systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 81-114
Author(s):  
Stephen G. Mackenzie ◽  
◽  
Ilias Kyriazakis ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Livestock Health ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Livestock Systems

The focus of this chapter is on the environmental impact consequences of endemic livestock health challenges that lead to deterioration in animal health, and on the potential impacts arising from their mitigations. The first part of the chapter concentrates on the potential of animal health to affect the environmental impact of livestock systems. Subsequently, it reviews the literature to date which has quantified the impact of health challenges for the environmental impacts of livestock systems. The potential of successful health interventions to mitigate negative environmental impacts represents a point of synergy between concerns around environmental sustainability and animal welfare, both of which represent 'hot topics' in the discourse surrounding the livestock industry and its sustainability. The challenges associated with modelling health interventions and their potential to mitigate environmental impacts constitute the last section in the chapter.

scholarly journals A Review of Precision Technologies for Optimising Pasture Measurement on Irish Grassland

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 600
Author(s):  
Darren J. Murphy ◽  
Michael D. Murphy ◽  
Bernadette O’Brien ◽  
Michael O’Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Precise Measurement ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Optimal Sampling ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
Grassland Production

The development of precision grass measurement technologies is of vital importance to securing the future sustainability of pasture-based livestock production systems. There is potential to increase grassland production in a sustainable manner by achieving a more precise measurement of pasture quantity and quality. This review presents an overview of the most recent seminal research pertaining to the development of precision grass measurement technologies. One of the main obstacles to precision grass measurement, sward heterogeneity, is discussed along with optimal sampling techniques to address this issue. The limitations of conventional grass measurement techniques are outlined and alternative new terrestrial, proximal, and remote sensing technologies are presented. The possibilities of automating grass measurement and reducing labour costs are hypothesised and the development of holistic online grassland management systems that may facilitate these goals are further outlined.

Networking, strategic positioning and creative knowledge in industrial districts

2000 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Pilotti
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Division Of Labour ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Industrial Districts ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Useful Knowledge ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Industrial Leadership ◽  
Differentiated Learning

This work is the last part of a unitary framework of analysis, the first part of which was published in HSM, Special Issue, Vol. 18, No. 2. The principal aim of the analysis is the pattern of transformation of local production systems. They are discussed as a complex institutional form of the division of labour and knowledge between firms by means of institutions and meta-organisers as actors of a post-Fordist local economy. A specific production system is defined as a peculiar governance form of interrelations, mediated by cognitive resources such as internal/external competencies of a population of firms localised in a sharing context. In this way there emerges a process of internalisation of competencies through evolutionary networking in which efficiency is not simply an output but a fundamental input for both growth and innovation. Our aim is to describe the peculiarity of the institutional networking system in the Italian case of Northeast industrial districts, assuming that a specific industrial economy evolves on the basis of differentiated learning capacities according to a complex system of economic and social relations, encouraging the circulation of useful knowledge and information for the economic enlargement based on industrial leadership and firm networks: they form a complex and dynamic Multilevel Neural Network. Two main types of district emerge: the evolutionary district (e.g., Montebelluna, specialised in ski-boot production) and non evolutionary static and adaptive districts (e.g., Maniago, specialised in knife production), where we find limited leadership and limited division of labour between firms.

An integrated approach to identifying and characterising resilient urban food systems to promote population health in a changing climate

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 2498-2508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah W James ◽  
Sharon Friel
Keyword(s):  
Population Health ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Urban Food Systems

AbstractObjectiveTo determine key points of intervention in urban food systems to improve the climate resilience, equity and healthfulness of the whole system.DesignThe paper brings together evidence from a 3-year, Australia-based mixed-methods research project focused on climate change adaptation, cities, food systems and health. In an integrated analysis of the three research domains – encompassing the production, distribution and consumption sectors of the food chain – the paper examines the efficacy of various food subsystems (industrial, alternative commercial and civic) in achieving climate resilience and good nutrition.SettingGreater Western Sydney, Australia.SubjectsPrimary producers, retailers and consumers in Western Sydney.ResultsThis overarching analysis of the tripartite study found that: (i) industrial food production systems can be more environmentally sustainable than alternative systems, indicating the importance of multiple food subsystems for food security; (ii) a variety of food distributors stocking healthy and sustainable items is required to ensure that these items are accessible, affordable and available to all; and (iii) it is not enough that healthy and sustainable foods are produced or sold, consumers must also want to consume them. In summary, a resilient urban food system requires that healthy and sustainable food items are produced, that consumers can attain them and that they actually wish to purchase them.ConclusionsThis capstone paper found that the interconnected nature of the different sectors in the food system means that to improve environmental sustainability, equity and population health outcomes, action should focus on the system as a whole and not just on any one sector.

Estratégias para promoção do diálogo de saberes entre agricultores familiares e educandos sobre o bioma Pampa

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-201
Author(s):  
Ketlin Vitoria Espinosa Sandim ◽  
Stefany Areva Severo ◽  
Cláudio Becker ◽  
Adriana Carla Dias Trevisan
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Family Farmers ◽  
Pampa Biome ◽  
Local Species ◽  
Young Students ◽  
Ecological Importance

Este estudo buscou promover a disseminação de informações entre distintos sujeitos sociais sobre a importância ecológica da paisagem nos sistemas produtivos, tendo como tema gerador o conhecimento e reconhecimento de espécies botânicas nativas pelos agricultores familiares e educandos em Sant’Ana do Livramento-RS. Foram realizadas dezesseis entrevistas com os agricultores, que, depois de sistematizadas, delimitaram as estratégias de disseminação dos conteúdos aos jovens educandos. Os resultados demonstram que os agricultores entendem a importância da conservação do Pampa para seus cultivos e criação animal, percebem e utilizam o potencial econômico das espécies em sistemas tradicionais e agroflorestais. Quanto aos jovens educandos, foi possível avaliar a importância de oportunizar novos conteúdos e novas práticas pedagógicas. Além disso, os resultados permitem a reflexão da importância de conectar a pesquisa com a extensão universitária, bem como os saberes de adultos do campo com os saberes de jovens da cidade. Conclui-se que a troca de saberes é uma estratégia de valorização e conservação do bioma Pampa. Palavras-chave: Agroecologia; Biodiversidade; Juventude; Agroflorestas   Strategies for promoting knowledge dialogue between family farmers and students about the Pampa biome Abstract: This study sought to promote the dissemination of information between distinct social subjects about the ecological importance of the local flora in production systems. The generative theme is knowledge and recognition of native botanic species by family farmers and students in Santana do Livramento in the Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil). Interviews with sixteen farmers were systematized and used to align strategies to disseminate content to young students. The results show that the farmers understand the importance of conservation of the Pampa for their crops and animal husbandry, perceiving the economic potential of various local species in traditional and agroforestry systems. In terms of the young students, it was possible to evaluate the importance of offering new pedagogical content and practices. The results allow a reflection on the importance of connecting research with university extension and linking the knowledge of adult farmers with young urban students. It was concluded that knowledge exchange is an important strategy for valorizing and conserving the Pampa biome. Keywords: Agroecology; Biodiversity; Youth; Agroforests

Ecoagriculture for a Sustainable Food Future

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Chalmer
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Constant Input ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
European Farming

Global food security is dependent on ecologically viable production systems, but current agricultural practices are often at odds with environmental sustainability. Resolving this disparity is a huge task, but there is much that can be learned from traditional food production systems that persisted for thousands of years. Ecoagriculture for a Sustainable Food Future describes the ecological history of food production systems in Australia, showing how Aboriginal food systems collapsed when European farming methods were imposed on bushlands. The industrialised agricultural systems that are now prevalent across the world require constant input of finite resources, and continue to cause destructive environmental change. This book explores the damage that has arisen from farming systems unsuited to their environment, and presents compelling evidence that producing food is an ecological process that needs to be rethought in order to ensure resilient food production into the future. Cultural sensitivity Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context.

scholarly journals Soil macrofauna under integrated crop-livestock systems in a Brazilian Cerrado Ferralsol

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1011-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robélio Leandro Marchão ◽  
Patrick Lavelle ◽  
Leonide Celini ◽  
Luiz Carlos Balbino ◽  
Lourival Vilela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Systems ◽  
Soil Biology ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Arable Crops ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Livestock Systems ◽  
Diptera Larvae

The objective of this work was to assess the effects of integrated crop-livestock systems, associated with two tillage and two fertilization regimes, on the abundance and diversity of the soil macrofauna. Four different management systems were studied: continuous pasture (mixed grass); continuous crop; two crop-livestock rotations (crop/pasture and pasture/crop); and native Cerrado as a control. Macrofauna was sampled using a modified Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility method, and all individuals were counted and identified at the morphospecies level for each plot. A total of 194 morphospecies were found, distributed among 30 groups, and the most representative in decreasing order of density were: Isoptera, Coleoptera larvae, Formicidae, Oligochaeta, Coleoptera adult, Diplopoda, Hemiptera, Diptera larvae, Arachnida, Chilopoda, Lepidoptera, Gasteropoda, Blattodea and Orthoptera. Soil management systems and tillage regimes affected the structure of soil macrofauna, and integrated crop-livestock systems, associated with no-tillage, especially with grass/legume species associations, had more favorable conditions for the development of "soil engineers" compared with continuous pasture or arable crops. Soil macrofauna density and diversity, assessed at morphospecies level, are effective data to measure the impact of land use in Cerrado soils.

scholarly journals A partial life cycle assessment approach to evaluate the energy intensity and related greenhouse gas emission in dairy farms

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lelia Murgia ◽  
Giuseppe Todde ◽  
Maria Caria ◽  
Antonio Pazzona
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Feeding Management

Dairy farming is constantly evolving towards more intensive levels of mechanization and automation which demand more energy consumption and result in higher economic and environmental costs. The usage of fossil energy in agricultural processes contributes to climate change both with on-farm emissions from the combustion of fuels, and by off-farm emissions due to the use of grid power. As a consequence, a more efficient use of fossil resources together with an increased use of renewable energies can play a key role for the development of more sustainable production systems. The aims of this study were to evaluate the energy requirements (fuels and electricity) in dairy farms, define the distribution of the energy demands among the different farm operations, identify the critical point of the process and estimate the amount of CO2 associated with the energy consumption. The inventory of the energy uses has been outlined by a partial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, setting the system boundaries at the farm level, from cradle to farm gate. All the flows of materials and energy associated to milk production process, including crops cultivation for fodder production, were investigated in 20 dairy commercial farms over a period of one year. Self-produced energy from renewable sources was also accounted as it influence the overall balance of emissions. Data analysis was focused on the calculation of energy and environmental sustainability indicators (EUI, CO2-eq) referred to the functional units. The production of 1 kg of Fat and Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) required on average 0.044 kWhel and 0.251 kWhth, corresponding to a total emission of 0.085 kg CO2-eq). The farm activities that contribute most to the electricity requirements were milk cooling, milking and slurry management, while feeding management and crop cultivation were the greatest diesel fuel consuming operation and the largest in terms of environmental impact of milk production (73% of energy CO2-eq emissions). The results of the study can assist in the development of dairy farming models based on a more efficient and profitable use of the energy resources.

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