Combining beef cattle and sheep in an organic system. I. Co-benefits for promoting the production of grass-fed meat and strengthening self-sufficiency
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journalArticle
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Titre
Combining beef cattle and sheep in an organic system. I. Co-benefits for promoting the production of grass-fed meat and strengthening self-sufficiency
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Titre anglais
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Id
4TUK8KJK
Version
6754
Date ajout
27 mars 2023 12:15
Date modification
27 mars 2023 13:26
Résumé
Numerous advantages of combining cattle and sheep have been demonstrated at the grazing-season
level, but the effects of this practice on system self-sufficiency require system-level and longer-term
studies. We established three grassland-based organic systems as separate farmlets: one mixed system
combining beef cattle and sheep (MIX) and two specialised systems, beef cattle (CAT) and sheep (SH),
to serve as reference points. These farmlets were managed for 4 years, to assess the benefits of combining
beef cattle and sheep in promoting the production of grass-fed meat and strengthening system self-
sufficiency. The ratio of cattle to sheep livestock units in MIX was 60:40. The surface area and stocking
rate were similar across all systems. Calving and lambing were adjusted to grass growth to optimise graz-
ing. Calves were pasture-fed from 3 months old on average until weaning in October, fattened indoors
with haylage and slaughtered at 12–15 months. Lambs were pasture-fed from 1 month old on average
until slaughter; if lambs were not ready for slaughter when the ewes mated, they were stall-finished with
concentrates. The decision to supplement adult females with concentrate was based on the achievement
of a target body condition score (BCS) at key periods. The decision to treat animals with anthelmintics
was based on mean faecal egg excretion remaining below a certain threshold. A higher proportion of
lambs were pasture-finished in MIX vs SH (P < 0.001) due to a higher growth rate (P < 0.001) which
led to a lower age at slaughter (166 vs 188 days, P < 0.001). Ewe prolificacy and productivity were higher
in MIX vs SH (P < 0.02 and P < 0.065, respectively). The levels of concentrate consumption and number of
anthelmintic treatments in sheep were lower in MIX vs SH (P < 0.01 and P < 0.08). Cow productivity, calf
performance, carcass characteristics and the level of external inputs used did not differ between systems.
However, cow BW gain during the grazing season was higher in MIX vs CAT (P < 0.05). These outcomes
validated our hypothesis that the association of beef cattle and sheep promoted the self-sufficient pro-
duction of grass-fed meat in the sheep enterprise. It also promoted better ewe and cow BCS and BW at
key stages of the reproduction cycle and better development of the females used for replacement, which
may enhance animal and system resilience.
Note
None
CRAW tags
- AB - Spécifique
- beef
- mixed livestock system
- sheep
WEB tags
Titre de la publication
Animal
Volume
17
Pages
15
Date caractères
avril 2023
Date publication
2 avril 2023
Doi
10.1016/j.animal.2023.100758
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