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Highlights • Analysis of two public policies for beef cattle production. • Public policies for rural credit to develop beef cattle production in southern Brazil. • Beef cattle production can foster economic and environmental sustainability. • Southern Brazilian farms are dependent from rural credit for improvement of production system. • Technical production options for greenhouse gasses mitigation. Abstract This study aims to evaluate the impact of two complementary public policies, one federal, Low Carbon Agriculture program (ABC), and one from Santa Catarina state, the cattle beef development program of Santa Catarina. By the official rural credit of the ABC program, the federal government aims the sustainability of beef cattle by production practices with potential mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG). The Santa Catarina state program subsidizes federal program interest. In order to evaluate the impact of these public policies, it was evaluated 170 beef cattle farms in Santa Catarina. The evaluation consisted of visits and application of quantitative and qualitative forms. The farms were distributed in the regions of North plateau, Itajaí Valley, Mountain range, Midwest and West Santa Catarina. The evaluation period was from January 2012 to December 2016, covering the origin of the application of the resources, zootechnical indexes and economic analysis. It was found that 45% of ABC resources were used in pasture establishment and recovery, 18% in paddock subdivisions, 32% in adaptations of management centers and the remainder resources in animal genetic improvement and technical assistance. The evolution of the herd showed 21% increase in the number of animals (P = 0.0016), 44% increase in the number of females (P < 0.001), and a slaughter age reduction in 12 months (P = 0.0022). The relationship between the value of the projects and the value applied in pastures was positive linear (P < 0.001). There was improvement in knowledge on pasture management and on zootechnical indexes by the farmers after the five years of the programs implementation (P < 0.001). Farmers who joined the program reported unanimity regarding improvements in technical knowledge and management of the activity. It is concluded that public policies have had a positive impact in beef cattle production. Furthermore, the investment on production practices such pasture implantation and recovery, suitable pasture management, reduction on animals slaughter age presents potential to GHG mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Integrated crop–livestock systems in the Brazilian subtropics are highly diverse. [•] Livestock reduce the vulnerability of crops in rain-fed systems. [•] Crops in rotation with livestock may produce more. [•] Livestock improve many physical, chemical and biological attributes of soil. [•] Integrating crops and livestock is a unique approach to ecological intensification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing for resilience in agriculture will be required to overcome future challenges such as growing food demand, climatic uncertainty, scarce raw materials and economic instability. Identifying resilience-enhancing practices is therefore fundamental for developing sustainable agroecosystems. We aimed to assess the resilience of two agricultural systems with different levels of diversification in southern Brazil: a specialized soybean (Glycine max) system and an integrated soybean-beef cattle system. We assessed the robustness and the adaptive capacity of these systems when facing climate hazards and price volatility. The study was based on a long-term trial that has been carried out since 2001, composed of an annual rotation of no-till soybean production during the summer and grazing of mixed black oat (Avena strigosa) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture in the winter. Treatments consisted of four grazing intensities in the integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), defined by sward heights: 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm plus an ungrazed control representing the specialized cropping system (CS). The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. We analysed system results over five years using two methods: i) a downside risk analysis to estimate the expected losses of yield and gross value added; and ii) the Ecological Network Analysis, which was applied to each treatment and year, for the assessment of the resilience of nitrogen (N-Ɍ flow) and phosphorus (P-Ɍ flow) flows. Both methods showed that co-located crop-livestock production in an ICLS was more resilient than the specialized soybean system and had improved nutrient cycling and resource-use efficiency. The effects of grazing management on system resilience depended on the output: beef yields were more stable under lower grazing intensities, but the risk of falling below a target economic threshold was inversely proportional to grazing intensity and null when the highest grazing intensity was adopted. The ecological network analysis did not reveal differences in resilience of nutrient flows among grazing management treatments. Our study suggests that Ɍ flow (N or P) is a useful proxy for assessing the robustness and adaptability of agroecosystems. Our comprehensive resilience analysis of nutrient and economic flows provides evidence that system diversification through the integration of grazing animals into specialized cropping systems is a good strategy towards the sustainable intensification of agriculture. It would be relevant, however, to consider further studies comparing more complex system configurations and levels of diversification. • Downside risk and ascendency analyses are useful indicators of resilience. • Livestock integration into specialized soybean systems increase system resilience. • Crop-livestock integration improved nutrient recycling and land-use efficiency. • System diversification and grazing management are resilience-enhancing practices. • Both nitrogen and phosphorus flow analysis are useful to assess system resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Diversity in agriculture systems drives the productivity-environment trade-off. [•] Grasslands couple C–N cycles and reduce environmental fluxes. [•] Crop–livestock integration diversifies landscape mosaics enhancing biodiversity. [•] Crop–livestock systems should provide both high productivity and ecosystem services. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of P and K fertilization strategies with and without N-fertilization on soil quality and crop yields in integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) in the Brazilian Cerrado. The treatments included various fertilization strategies, such as applying P and K during either the cropping phase (conventional fertilization) or the pasture phase (system fertilization), with or without N-fertilization during the pasture phase. Soil samples were collected two years after the experiment was initiated from the 0–10 cm layer, and soybean yields were determined at the end of the crop cycle. Soil carbon (C) stocks remained largely unaffected by the different fertilization strategies. However, soil nitrogen (N) stocks, as well as C and N within the microbial biomass, were lower when conventional fertilization and 0 kg ha−1 of N were used in pastures compared to other treatments. Enzyme activity also decreased with conventional fertilization and 0 kg ha−1 of N in pastures. Scores for Nutrient Cycling and Nutrient Storage were higher with 100 kg ha−1 compared to 0 kg ha−1 of N in the case of conventional fertilization, marking an increase of 22% and 18% for Nutrient Cycling and Nutrient Storage , respectively. For soil function associated with Nutrient Supply , there was no difference between the treatments. Within the 0 kg ha−1 of N group, system fertilization was 12% and 24% higher compared to conventional fertilization. The soil quality index (SQI FERTBIO) was higher with 100 kg ha−1 (0.83) compared to 0 kg ha−1 of N (0.77), showing an 8% increase. Soybean yield was 3% higher with system fertilization and 7% higher with 100 kg ha−1 of N, compared to conventional fertilization with 0 kg ha−1 of N. In conclusion, even in the short term, adopting a system fertilization strategy and applying N-fertilization in pastures benefits soybean yields in ICLS under no-till. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foraging behavior studies have supported innovations in sward management, making pastoral systems more sustainable and competitive. Based on this, we evaluated the sheep's ingestive behavior responses and the changes in sward structure during four stages of grazing down in rotational stocking, indicating the threshold level of grazing down for sheep grazing in the reproductive stage of annual ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) managed under two grazing intensities (low and moderate). We found evidence that the two grazing intensities each promoted a grazing down at approximately 45% of the non-limiting pre-grazing sward height. However, during grazing down at the end of the sward reproductive stage, the leaves frequency remained lower than that of inflorescences, indicating a restrictive situation for animals in each of the two grazing intensities evaluated. The sheep's ingestive behavior patterns were constrained by the modifications in sward structure. There was observed a decrease in grazing time and bite rate, and a gradual increase in the number of steps between feeding stations during the grazing down stages. Therefore, sheep's behavioral responses during the grazing down of annual ryegrass depend on: (i) grazing intensity, (ii) period of the sward reproductive stage, and (iii) forage structural and chemical composition during grazing down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the hypothesis that the best sward structure in the grazing management strategy based on animal behaviour, called “Rotatinuous” stocking, results in higher nutrient intake and lower methane emission and intensity by sheep grazing Italian ryegrass pastures, two grazing management strategies were studied: the traditional rotational stocking (RT) with pre- and post-grazing sward target heights of 25 and 5 cm, respectively and, “Rotatinuous” stocking (RN) with pre- and post-grazing sward target heights of 18 and 11 cm, respectively. Male castrated sheep were used. The experiment was carried out in 2014 and 2015 in southern Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates. The RN treatment had better herbage chemical composition in terms of quality than that of the RT treatment, with greater (P < 0.05) crude protein and lower neutral and acidic detergent fibre. The ideal sward structure and greater chemical composition of Italian ryegrass pastures found under RN treatment resulted in greater herbage digestibility and intake of organic matter and metabolizable energy by grazing sheep than under the RT treatment. Our study highlights that management is the key strategy to reduce the environmental impact of grazing through lower CH 4 emissions in livestock grazing systems. “Rotatinuous” stocking was the more efficient grazing management strategy for mitigation of CH 4 emissions and intensity by grazing sheep, with 64% less CH 4 production per area and 170% less CH 4 emission per unit of animal product when compared to the RT treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Model typical of crop livestock systems from subtropics. [•] Managing mixed oats and annual ryegrass pastures at 20cm lead to overall soil–plant–animal. [•] Equilibrium between animal performance and no-till crop demand for soil cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We evaluated the effect of management practices on establishment of Italian ryegrass. [•] We tested pasture's ability to re-establish following a year without seed production. [•] Grazing intensity is the first factor affecting subsequent pasture establishment. [•] Pasture establishment by self-seeding relies on the annual seed replacement. [•] Grazing must be managed to allow sufficient reproductive tiller production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In natural grasslands, plant species preferred by grazing animals are intermixed with less preferred species. We hypothesise that increasing proportion of Eragrostis plana Nees tussocks, a non-preferred diet item in natural grassland, will constrain the accessibility of the preferred diet item for grazing animals, and sheep would be less restricted than cattle. The experimental paddocks contained approximately 0, 25, 50 and 75% E. plana, in vegetative stage. Inter-tussock areas were proportionally maintained at a non-limiting forage allowance. Records were made every 1-min of the stratum (tussock, inter-tussock or intra-tussock) grazed by each of four beef heifers or four ewes. Short-term intake rate was calculated for each 45-min grazing session by weighing the animals before and after grazing, and correcting for insensible weight losses (evaporative and gaseous losses). Beef heifers reduced grazing time on the inter-tussock areas by 0.60% per each 1% increment in tussock cover, whilst ewes exhibited a smaller reduction of 0.36% (P <0.05). Virtually all of beef heifers’ reduction in inter-tussock grazing time was replaced by tussock grazing. However, the ewes were more selective and attempted to find preferred food in the intra-tussock stratum. Ewes adjusted their foraging strategies and maintained a constant short-term intake rate regardless of percentage of tussock cover. Beef heifers exhibited the highest short-term intake rate with 34% tussock cover. Beef heifers bite mass decreased when tussock cover increased over 44%, whereas no trend was detected for ewes. Tussocks may act as a vertical and/or horizontal barrier interfering with the process of bite formation and affecting bite mass of beef heifers. Conversely, ewes were able to adapt their grazing behaviour with increasing tussock cover, so that no effects on the measures taken in this study were observed. This response is consistent with the finer resolution of grazing selectivity by ewes and with the allometry of short-term intake rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We aimed to evaluate the effect of different grazing management strategies on carcass characteristics traits, meat quality and CH 4 intensity and yield of lambs grazing Italian ryegrass pastures in Southern Brazil. A grazing trial was performed (2014 and 2015) in a randomized complete block design with two grazing management targets and four replicates. Treatments were traditional rotational stocking (RT), with pre- and post-grazing sward heights of 25 and 5 cm, respectively, and 'Rotatinuous' stocking (RN), with pre- and post-grazing sward heights of 18 and 11 cm, respectively. Castrated crossbred Texel and Polwarth lambs were used. Results indicated that diet cost per kg of dry matter (p = 0.001) and per hectare (p < 0.001) were lower for RN than for RT treatment. Final live weight (p = 0.022) and hot and cold carcass weight (p = 0.006) were greater for the RN treatment. All commercial cuts were greater for RN than for RT treatment. The RN treatment presented greater (p < 0.001) production of carcass, edible food and crude protein. Feed efficiency and feed cost conversion were better for RN than for RT treatment. CH 4 intensity per kg of carcass, edible food and crude protein gain were 2.6, 2.7 and 2.1 times lower (p < 0.001) for RN. Moreover, CH 4 yield was lower (p = 0.014) for RN than for RT treatment, with an average of 7.6 and 8.3% of the gross energy intake, respectively. We conclude that the 'Rotatinuous' stocking results in a greater carcass production, carcass quality and lower diet cost, and CH 4 intensity and yield of grazing lambs. Adopting this grazing management strategy could enhance both lamb production and mitigation of CH 4 intensity and yield in grazing ecosystems, which could be considered a good example of climate-smart livestock production. Unlabelled Image • Sward management determines lamb carcass yield and associated environmental impact. • Quality and production of carcass are greater in 'Rotatinuous' stocking approach. • 'Rotatinuous' stocking mitigate CH 4 carcass intensity • 'Rotatinuous' stocking promotes feed efficiency while reducing feed costs. • This approach can be a wide-suitable example of climate-smart livestock production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We studied the effect of grazing intensities on steers performance and pasture production. • Plant growth is maximized to the detriment of animal production when sward height is managed above 30 cm. • Animal production is maximized rather than plant growth when sward height is managed under 20 cm. • To maximize both plant and animal production sward height should be managed between 20 and 30 cm. To improve our knowledge on the effects of different grazing intensities on integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) and thus define solid management goals to maximize plant and animal responses in these systems, we analyzed 16 years of data regarding to herbage mass, daily herbage accumulation, total herbage production, stocking rate, individual average daily gain and live weight gain per hectare from a long-term ICLS in southern Brazil. Treatments consisted of different grazing intensities (defined by the sward heights of 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) by steers on mixed black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures under continuous stocking. Herbage mass was consistently correlated to sward height, increasing by 88.7 kg DM ha−1 for each centimeter of sward height. The sward management heights of 20, 30 and 40 cm were similar with an average of 1.08 kg LW-1 animal-1 day−1, decreasing at a rate of 0.03 kg LW animal-1 day−1 for each cm decrease under 19 cm following a segmented equation. Stocking rate and live weight gain per area responded linearly decreasing by 35.8 kg LW ha−1 and 12.1 kg LW ha−1 for each cm increase in sward height, respectively. The long-term pasture and animal production presented a consistent pattern over the 16 experimental years, showing that swards managed under 19 cm are detrimental to animal individual performance despite of increases in the live weight gain per area. We conclude that managing the sward heights between 20 and 30 cm (moderate grazing intensities) maximize both plant and animal production and should be adopted as the management goal for mixed black oat and Italian ryegrass pastures within an ICLS meeting the global demand for increased food production and sustainability of the agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]