PRODUCTIVE, ECONOMIC AND GREENHOUSE GASES MODELLING OF TYPICAL BEEF COW-CALF SYSTEMS IN THE FLOODING PAMPAS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive economic performance and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in typical cow-calf farms in the Flooding Pampas, Argentina. A dynamic, bio-economic and environmental “whole-farm” model (SIMUGAN) and regional data were used to evaluate two contrasting scenarios obtained from the 4 systems identified in a previous study. Two scenarios were taken as baseline: medium-scale traditional farmer (Tr) and large-scale local technified enterprise (Te). Both scenarios were intensified with the inclusion of two levels of fescue pasture under good management practices (5 or 10% of the farm area), and the anticipation of the first service of heifers (from 27 to 15 months age) for the scenarios with 10% of fescue pasture. The GHG intensity emissions (IE) varied accordingly to the intensification level in a similar trend for Tr and Te scenarios (between 16.4 and 19.9 kg CO2 eq kg LW-1). The additive effect for the 10% of fescue pasture incorporation combined with early mating of heifers reduced IE up to 17%. Results suggest that it is feasible to reduce IE by the adoption of available technologies. Although further experimental research is required, this study provides useful information about GHG for policy makers and farmers in order to promote a higher promotion/adoption of technologies based on their economic response.