Sustainable intensification of livestock systems using forage legumes in the anthropocene

Authors: DUBEUX, JOSE - University Of Florida; Jaramillo, David; SANTOS, ERICK - University Of Alberta; QUEIROZ, LUANA - University Of Florida; BRETAS, IGOR - University Of Florida; SOUZA, CLEBER - University Of Florida; TRUMPP, ROGER - University Of Florida; GARCIA, LIZA - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Grass and Forage Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sustainable intensification of livestock systems implies greater efficiency in resource utilization resulting in greater output of products and other ecosystem services per unit of resource input. Integrating forage legumes into livestock systems is a viable way to reduce input of industrial nitrogen fertilizer, reducing the use of fossil fuels and helping to mitigate global warming, which is a major problem during the Anthropocene. Forage legumes have potential to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from eructation and excreta, and enhance animal performance through improved forage nutritive value. This results in greater production of animal products per unit of input. Shortening the production cycle and improving cattle reproductive efficiency could have major impact reducing the overall carbon footprint of the system. Grazing systems with more diversified plant species are typically more resistant and resilient, adapting to current climate changes during the Anthropocene. Novel technologies might accelerate the development of the future grazing systems using forage legumes as a key component. Breeding efforts for the next-generation legumes must focus on adaptation and potential use for mitigation of negative environmental impacts. There are examples of successful integration of forage legumes into livestock systems in different regions of the world, with major reduction in off-farm inputs and maintaining the system productive. These successful examples must be used to increase adoption and to improve the efficiency of current livestock systems.

Technical Abstract: Sustainable intensification of livestock systems implies greater efficiency in resource utilization resulting in greater output of products and other ecosystem services per unit of resource input. Integrating forage legumes into livestock systems is a viable way to reduce input of industrial N fertilizer, reducing the use of fossil fuels and helping to mitigate global warming, a major problem during the Anthropocene. Some forage legumes have greater concentration of secondary compounds such as condensed tannins that might reduce emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from eructation and from excreta. Furthermore, forage legumes might enhance cattle performance because of greater nutritive value, resulting in greater beef production per unit of GHG released. In fact, shortening the production cycle and improving cattle reproductive efficiency could have major impact reducing the overall carbon footprint of the system. Grazing systems with more diversified plant species are typically more resistant and resilient, adapting to current climate changes during the Anthropocene. Novel technologies might accelerate the development of the future grazing systems using forage legumes as a key component. Breeding efforts for the next-generation legumes must focus on adaptation and potential use for mitigation of negative environmental impacts. There are examples of successful integration of forage legumes into livestock systems in different regions of the world, with major reduction in off-farm inputs and maintaining the system productive. These successful examples must be used to increase adoption and to improve the efficiency of current livestock systems.