The Dingo as a management tool on a beef cattle enterprise in western Queensland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus Emmott
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Public Debate ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Cattle Producer ◽  
Feral Pig

ABSTRACT The advantages of maintaining Dingoes as a management tool on a beef cattle enterprise in western Queensland are discussed. As elsewhere Dingoes reduce kangaroo and feral pig populations and eradicate feral goats. This is of significant economic importance to our family business. As a cattle producer interested in sustainability nationally, I am concerned that the current research and public debate fail to discuss the economic and environmental benefits of maintaining Dingo populations.

PSVII-13 Performance and environmental benefits from biochar supplementation in beef cattle grazing systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 448-449
Author(s):  
Emily Conlin ◽  
Herbert Lardner ◽  
Jennifer L Ellis ◽  
Ira B Mandell ◽  
Katharine M Wood
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Stable Form ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Rapid City

Abstract Worldwide, beef production systems represent a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG), and enteric methane (CH4) emissions are the primary concern. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether biochar (Oregon Biochar Solution, White City, OR) supplementation can reduce CH4 emissions from grazing beef cows. Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced through the pyrolysis of organic matter (typically forestry waste). Sixty-four cows and their calves were blocked by cow body weight and calf age, and randomly allocated to 8 paddocks, each with 8 cow-calf pairs. Using a crossover design, each paddock was assigned to one of two treatments: (1) biochar supplemented at approximately 3% of estimated dry matter intake (DMI) or (2) control (no biochar). Biochar was incorporated into a pellet containing 45% biochar, 42.5% wheat midds, 10% canola oil, and 2.5% dry molasses and fed in a portable trough once daily. Each period consisted of 28 days: 21 days for biochar adaptation and 7 days for data collection. Enteric gas emissions from each paddock were measured using C-Lock GreenFeed trailers (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA) with pasture DMI estimated using paddock entry/exit quadrats during each sampling week. Enteric CH4 emissions expressed as g CH4/d were 249 and 260 ± 50.3 g (P ≥ 0.37) for control and biochar, respectively. Similarly, g CH4/kg DM and g CH4/kg BW were not affected (P ≥ 0.44) by biochar supplementation on pasture. Biochar supplementation did not affect estimated DMI or cow/calf body weights (P ≥ 0.15). Results suggest that biochar was ineffective for reducing methane emissions from grazing beef cows; however, measures of animal performance were not affected by biochar consumption. Further work is required to determine if type or higher inclusions of biochar can reduce CH4 emissions from beef cattle.

Influencing sustainability by controlling future brownfields in Africa: a case study of Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikiale Gebreslase Gebremariam ◽  
Yuming Zhu ◽  
Naveed Ahmad ◽  
Dawit Nega Bekele
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Brownfield Redevelopment ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The increasing African population and economic growth leading to urbanisation continues to increase the need to redevelop brownfields as a strategy of encouraging sustainable development of cities, in particular in Ethiopia. However, the adoption of brownfield redevelopment in Ethiopia is at initial stage. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the framework based on grey-incidence decision-making approach to manage brownfields in African countries by taking Ethiopia as case example. The grey-incidence decision-making model integrates multiple factors such as economic, social, environmental, technical and associated risks and provides an effective decision-making and management tool for environmental practitioners and government agencies. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were used to collect data on terms and definitions of brownfield. The questions were prepared on the basis of currently used definitions developed by a number of developed countries. Moreover, this study utilises a grey-incidence decision-making approach to help in management and decision-making for the implementation of brownfield redevelopment projects (BRPs) in the remediated sites. Findings Standard definition of brownfield and essential guidelines for brownfield redevelopment is proposed for Ethiopian context. The research findings were tested and verified using literature data and survey from major stakeholders. In addition, the grey-incidence decision-making approach is applied for the evaluation of BRPs in the remediated sites. A framework is proposed to control future brownfields for African countries by taking Ethiopia as a case example. Originality/value This research stresses the significance of an urban structure to address sustainable development, and the need to consider redevelopment of brownfields and identify the potential for a specific government policy framework. This research provides the best opportunity for Ethiopia by devising an urban land policy and create a strategy to contribute social, economic, financial and environmental benefits. It also provides a foundation to solve environmental issues by involving all major stakeholders, including community citizens, environmentalists and government agencies, and it also serves as guidelines to transform brownfields into Greenfields; and finally, it contributes to achieve the 2030 UN global goals.

Methane output from beef cattle fed different high-concentrate diets

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 46-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Martin ◽  
H. Dubbroeucq ◽  
D. Micol ◽  
J. Agabriel ◽  
M. Doreau
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Animal Development ◽  
Finishing Diets ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Animal Product ◽  
Nutritional Benefits

Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas of which the release into the atmosphere is directly linked with animal agriculture, particularly ruminant production. CH4 emissions from ruminant also represent a loss in productive energy for the animal. Development of effective strategies to mitigate these methane emissions will have not only environmental benefits for the planet but also nutritional benefits for the animal. It has been shown that concentrate-rich diets result in a decrease in methanogenesis per unit of animal product (milk, meat). However, some of these diets may have adverse effects on the efficiency of production, e.g. due to risk of acidosis. Our study focused on measuring methane emissions on young bulls fed three contrasting finishing diets characteristics of three intensive levels of production in France.

scholarly journals Integration of Virtual Programming into Beef Cattle Producer and Extension Agent Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 6-7
Author(s):  
Ashley K Edwards ◽  
A Lee Faulk ◽  
Vincent Deshotel ◽  
Jason Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
State University ◽  
Extension Agent ◽  
Louisiana State University ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Cattle Producer ◽  
Management Recommendations

Abstract Field days and workshops are fundamental to fostering communication and demonstrating management techniques. However, when faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, Extension agents turned to alternative platforms for providing educational opportunities. In April 2020, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter) agents hosted a live webinar entitled “Sustainability during Turbulent Markets” to bring beef cattle producers information on management strategies during a time of instability. This initial webinar included 41 live participants and an additional 40 views within one week of posting the recording. Event responses prompted creation of the Beef Brunch Educational Series, an online series designed to maintain engagement and allow agents to present timely management recommendations and industry news to producers. Live webinars occur at 10:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Webinars are also recorded for online distribution through the LSU AgCenter website, LSU AgCenter-Livestock YouTube channel, and podcast platforms. Bi-weekly news updates are released on the same platforms. News updates feature weather and pasture conditions, market outlooks, management tips, events, and current industry topics. Webinar engagement on all platforms averages 233 viewers with a growth range of 81 to 859 since April. News updates average 87 views with a growth range of 29 to 270 participants. When asked, 85% of viewers strongly agreed or agreed that information learned in webinars would be applied to their operations. Extension agents utilize this program for professional development, with 75% strongly agreeing or agreeing that webinars increased confidence to apply presented knowledge and 70% stating they have or plan to incorporate news update content in their programming. Thus, increased views, positive feedback, and requests for more information illustrate relevance in continuing the Beef Brunch Educational Series beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and optimistically developing it into a leading informational source for beef cattle producers in Louisiana.

PSXIV-7 Performance and environmental benefits from biochar supplementation in beef cattle grazing systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 475-476
Author(s):  
Emily Conlin ◽  
Herbert Lardner ◽  
Jennifer L Ellis ◽  
Ira B Mandell ◽  
Katharine M Wood
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Stable Form ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Ch4 Emissions

Abstract Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from beef cattle production systems has continuously been recognized as an important strategy to help mitigate climate change. This experiment was conducted to determine the optimum inclusion level of biochar (Oregon Biochar Solution, White City, OR) in the diet to reduce enteric methane (CH4) emissions from beef cows. Biochar is a stable form of carbon produced through low-oxygen and high-temperature pyrolysis of organic matter (typically forestry waste). Using a 4 x 4 Latin square design, pregnant beef cows (n = 8) of similar weight and stage of pregnancy were supplemented with biochar daily at 0, 1, 2, or 3% of total dry matter intake (DMI). Biochar was added to a pellet containing 45% biochar, 42.5% wheat midds, 10% canola oil, and 2.5% dry molasses to facilitate ease of feeding and encourage biochar consumption. Each 21-day period consisted of 14 days for diet adaptation and 7 days for data collection. Enteric gas emissions were measured using C-Lock GreenFeed trailers (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD, USA) and DMI was collected using Insentec feeders (Insentec, Voorsterweg, The Netherlands). Enteric CH4 emissions expressed in g CH4/day, g CH4/kg DM, and g CH4/kg BW were not affected by biochar supplementation (P ≥ 0.41), although the 3% inclusion was numerically lowest. For all parameters expressing CH4 emissions, linear and quadratic effects for inclusion rate were not significant (P ≥ 0.19). Dry matter intake and cow body weights were not affected by biochar supplementation (P ≥ 0.34). These results suggest that biochar was ineffective for reducing CH4 emissions from beef cows fed a high forage diet (50% haylage, 30% straw, 17% corn silage) with no effects on animal performance. Further research should investigate whether type of biochar or higher inclusion levels of biochar can reduce CH4 emissions from beef cattle.

Factors affecting beef cattle producer perspectives on feed efficiency1

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 3749-3758 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Wulfhorst ◽  
J. K. Ahola ◽  
S. L. Kane ◽  
L. D. Keenan ◽  
R. A. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cattle Producer

scholarly journals PSI-1 Management and Risk of Nitrate Toxicity in Annual Forages: Results of a Beef Cattle Producer Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 160-160
Author(s):  
Mary E Lenz ◽  
Jaymelynn K Farney ◽  
Mary E Drewnoski
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Past Experience ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
The Future ◽  
Cattle Producer

Abstract When utilizing annual forages, one challenge beef cattle producers may face is nitrate toxicity. To understand how often producers cope with and test for high nitrates in annual forages, an online survey was distributed through the “UNL Beefwatch” newsletter and participants of extension meetings in Kansas and Nebraska were encouraged to fill out the survey. Most respondents were from the Midwest (n = 107/115; 93%) and indicated that the issue of nitrate toxicity when feeding annual forages is important to them (70%). The majority of the respondents (85%) indicated that they utilize annual forages in three or more years out of five. Producers were more (P = 0.02) likely to test annual forages fed as hay (53%) than grazed (38%). However, there was a tendency (P = 0.09) for more producers to respond that they have had toxicity issues with annual forage pasture (34%) than with hay (24%). Producers were not more likely to test annual forage pasture (P = 0.28) or hay (P = 0.94) if they previously experienced a nitrate toxicity issue. A producer’s past experience with toxicity also did not impact the likelihood that they would graze (P = 0.31) or feed hay (P = 0.28) that tested high in nitrate in the future. The majority of producers responded that they “rarely” or “almost never” used the forage if a pasture (14%) or hay (36%) tested high. Though producers indicate concern about nitrate toxicity in annual forages, most have not experienced issues (62%) and those that have do not appear to make different management decisions based on that experience.

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