Uncertainty analysis of greenhouse gas emissions estimates of alternative whole-farm beef production systems

RICCI, P.; WILSON, R.; WATERHOUSE, A.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; 37° Congreso Argentino de Producción Animal ? 2nd Joint Meeting ASAS-AAPA ? XXXIX Congreso de la Sociedad Chilena ? SOCHIPA; 2014

Asociación Argentina de Producción Animal

Agriculture contributes a significant amount to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At a farm level, there is considerable variation in the factors driving these emissions (IPCC, 2006), such as the quality, quantity and utilization of grasslands, with subsequent impacts on both animal performance and GHG emissions. The aim of this study was to illustrate the effect of biased assumptions on the predicted GHG emissions and productivity of beef systems under alternative management options. To represent alternative management options in the UK, a series of contrasting farming systems were created around this baseline system as paired alternatives, namely; focusing the breeding herd on hill land (Hill) vs. lowland grazing with low utilization of hill (Lowland); finishing steers in 14 months (high-concentrate diet; 14) vs. 24 months (low-concentrates; 24); and using a hardy hill cattle breed (Luing, LUI) vs. a more efficient (Aberdeen Angus x Limousin, AxL). Although assuming the same variation on emission factors, performance and digestibility, the uncertainty of GHG estimates varies largely between alternative farming systems. The same mitigation option (e.g. shorter finishing) led to different emission intensities depending on the management previously applied.