Silvopastoral system as a climate-smart alternative for beef production: Enteric methane emission neutralization and animal thermal comfort increase

Author(s)

Brunetti, Henrique B. ; Oliveira, Patricia P. A. ; Pezzopane, Jose R. M. ; Bernardi, Alberto C. de C. ; Garcia, Alexandre R. ; Berndt, Alexandre ; Pedroso, Andrede F. ; Lelis, Ana L. J. ; Medeiros, Sergio R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS; v. 225, p. 11-pg., 2025-04-01.

Abstract

CONTEXT: Climate-smart agricultural systems must mitigate climate change and adapt to it. OBJECTIVES: (i) test the ability of a silvopastoral system (SPS) in Brazil to neutralize the CH4 enteric emission by tree carbon (C) assimilation, considering solely the stem-C destined to Products with Higher Added Value (HVAP) and furniture as valid, due to their long-term stability; (ii) test the SPS ability to provide increased animal thermal comfort and; (iii) compare the SPS productivity, animal thermal comfort and CH4 emission with a full sun system (FS). METHODS: The systems had four areas managed under rotational stocking with beef cattle and were established with Piata palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha Stapf cv. BRS Piata] in 2007. In the SPS, eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus urograndis clone GG100) were planted in 2011, in single east-west oriented rows, with a 15 m x 2 m spacing, and thinned to 15 m x 4 m spacing in 2016. Microclimate data were collected in weather stations to determine the Black Globe and Humidity Index (BGHI). The CH4 enteric emission was estimated using the Tier-2 equation (IPCC Methodological Guide - 2019). Tree height and diameter at breast height were measured every six months from October/2017 to April/2019 to estimate the stem biomass using an allometric equation. The stem biomass was multiplied by its carbon content and by 40 % to consider the break-through yield in sawmill. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: BGHI was lower in the SPS than in the FS. Even considering the stem-C appropriate for HVAP and furniture in a SPS with a stocking rate 256 % greater than the Brazilian average, 77 % of the CH4 enteric emission was offset. When considering all the stem-C, the net C balance was-14.28 Mg CO2 eq. ha- 1 year- 1. SIGNIFICANCE: SPS are interesting alternatives to mitigate climate change while providing satisfactory animal production and increased animal thermal comfort. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/02444-5 - Understanding intensified and integrated production systems: from the quantum world to low-carbon agriculture
• Grantee: Ladislau Martin Neto
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/04528-6 - From the sky to the cells: a multidimensional study of thermal comfort of animals raised on crop-livestock-forest integrated systems (CLFS)
• Grantee: Alexandre Rossetto Garcia
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 24/12895-7 - Simulation of future scenarios for pastures in Brazil: strategies for minimizing climate risks
• Grantee: Henrique Bauab Brunetti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors