Greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions, land and water use associated with feedlot catt... more Greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions, land and water use associated with feedlot cattle ( n = 40 hd treatment−1 trial−1) treated with or without productivity-enhancing technologies were modelled for a multiyear study ( n = 4). Heifers (H) were assigned to the following treatments: (1) implanted (HTBA); (2) provided with melengestrol acetate (HMGA); (3) nonimplanted control, weight-adjusted (CON_Adj) to achieve the same final carcass weight (CW) as 1 (HCON_AdjTBA); or (4) CON_Adj to achieve the CW as 2 (HCON_AdjMGA). Steers (S) were assigned as follows: (1) implanted (STBA); (2) implanted and provided with ractopamine hydrochloride (SRAC; conducted in the last 2 years); (3) CON_Adj to achieve the same CW as 1 (SCON_AdjTBA); or (4) CON_Adj to achieve the same CW as 2 (SCON_AdjRAC). The GHG and NH3 emissions from HTBA, HMGA, STBA, and SRAC were 3.8%, 3.0%, 10.1%, and 8.5% lower and 4.3%, 2.9%, 7.4%, and 7.6% lower, respectively, than the respective control cattle. The land ...
Food waste is a global dilemma with environmental, social and economic consequences. Environmenta... more Food waste is a global dilemma with environmental, social and economic consequences. Environmental impacts of wasted food are substantial as it comprises the single largest category of organic matter in municipal landfills. Therefore, redirection of food waste from landfills is necessary to improve global food security and environmental sustainability issues. Livestock, with their capacity to “up-cycle” relatively low-quality feedstuffs into high quality protein, are an essential element of this solution. However, challenges regarding utilization of food waste for livestock production include regulatory restrictions, safety concerns and logistics associated with collection, transport and handling. Moreover, identifying industries with significant loss and waste resources along the supply chain, quantifying availability, and effective communication and coordination are necessary steps for large-scale diversion of food loss and waste to livestock feed. In Canada, Loop Resources is a o...
This study evaluated the impact of nitrogen (N) application rate and forage species of intercropp... more This study evaluated the impact of nitrogen (N) application rate and forage species of intercropped corn for potential grazing of beef cattle in late fall/early winter. A split plot design (4 replicates/treatment) was used at 2 experimental sites in Manitoba, Canada with 2 treatment factors: 1) N application rate as the main plot and 2) forage intercrop species as the sub plot. Nitrogen application rates were 45 kg N/ha and 112 kg N/ha. Forage species were: italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), graza forage radish (Raphanus sativus), red clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and a mix of all 4 forages. Intercropped treatments were compared with corn only control treatments with no intercrop at both N rates. Plots were seeded in 2019 with corn from May 8-10 and intercrops seeded from June 17-25. Chemical composition of intercropped forages and corn were determined in early October. Averaged over sites and intercrop treatment, increasing N application increased (...
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using conventional productivity-enhanc... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using conventional productivity-enhancing technologies (PETs) with or without other natural PETs on the growth performance, carcass traits, and environmental impacts of feedlot cattle. A total of 768 cross-bred yearling steers (499 ± 28.6 kg; n = 384) and heifers (390 ± 34.9 kg; n = 384) were offered a barley grain-based basal diet and divided into implanted or non-implanted groups. Steers were then allocated to diets that contained either: (i) no additive (control); natural feed additives including (ii) fibrolytic enzymes (Enz), (iii) essential oil (Oleo), (iv) direct-fed microbial (DFM), (v) DFM + Enz + Oleo combination; conventional feed additives including (vi) Conv (monensin, tylosin, and beta-adrenergic agonists [βAA]); or Conv with natural feed additives including (vii) Conv + DFM + Enz; (viii) Conv + DFM + Enz + Oleo. Heifers received one of the first three dietary treatments or the following: (iv) probiotic (Citr); ...
Global drivers such as the growing human population, evolving consumer preferences, globalization... more Global drivers such as the growing human population, evolving consumer preferences, globalization, and climate change have put pressure on the agri-food sector to produce more livestock products with less land, feed, and water. Taste, nutritional value, cost, convenience, source, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability of food are criteria upon which purchasing decisions are made. In response, an environmental footprint analysis composed of greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient and water use efficiency, water quality, carbon storage, and biodiversity has been completed for many commodities. However, as livestock production systems occur within complex agro-ecosystems, it is extremely challenging to formulate a single overall sustainability metric. There is no “silver bullet” to solve the environmental concerns of all livestock production systems as they operate under different constraints on different landscapes, with different water and nutrient cycles, and soil types. Furthe...
This study estimated movement of feed between regions of Alberta to meet the needs of the beef se... more This study estimated movement of feed between regions of Alberta to meet the needs of the beef sector in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, and included barley and wheat grain, grass hay and grass-legume hay, which can be cost-effectively transported. Feed demands of beef and other livestock (i.e., dairy cattle, chickens, pigs, sheep, bison, horses, turkeys and other poultry) were estimated using county-level inventories from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and Statistics Canada, and aggregated to 7 land-use regions: Lower Athabasca, Upper Athabasca, Lower Peace, Upper Peace, North Saskatchewan, Red Deer and South Saskatchewan. Feed requirements were sourced from literature and expert opinion pertinent to Canadian context, and feed demand estimated using annualized feeding days and dry matter (DM) intake. Feed available for beef production was estimated from crop yields minus other livestock feed use. Average feed demand for beef production across Alberta was (tons of DM) 2.71 M, ...
This study evaluated the impact of adding biochar to a grass hay-based diet on in vitro dry matte... more This study evaluated the impact of adding biochar to a grass hay-based diet on in vitro dry matter disappearance (DMD), total gas production (GP), methane production (CH4), volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration. Treatments were arranged in a factorial design with 7 biochar products differing in origin (pine or coconut-based) and physical properties (course, fine or loose spheres) at 2 inclusion levels (2.25% and 4.5% of DM) and a grass hay-only control. On each three successive weeks, rumen fluid was collected from 2 ruminally cannulated beef heifers fed a grass hay-based diet, pooled and mixed with a buffer solution (1:2) and treatments incubated in triplicate for 48 h. Gas pressure was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h of incubation, and gas was collected at each time to measure CH4. At 48 h, pH was measured and the supernatant sampled for determination of VFA and NH3-N, while the residue was used to estimate DMD. Dry matter disappearance ...
Greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions, land and water use associated with feedlot catt... more Greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions, land and water use associated with feedlot cattle ( n = 40 hd treatment−1 trial−1) treated with or without productivity-enhancing technologies were modelled for a multiyear study ( n = 4). Heifers (H) were assigned to the following treatments: (1) implanted (HTBA); (2) provided with melengestrol acetate (HMGA); (3) nonimplanted control, weight-adjusted (CON_Adj) to achieve the same final carcass weight (CW) as 1 (HCON_AdjTBA); or (4) CON_Adj to achieve the CW as 2 (HCON_AdjMGA). Steers (S) were assigned as follows: (1) implanted (STBA); (2) implanted and provided with ractopamine hydrochloride (SRAC; conducted in the last 2 years); (3) CON_Adj to achieve the same CW as 1 (SCON_AdjTBA); or (4) CON_Adj to achieve the same CW as 2 (SCON_AdjRAC). The GHG and NH3 emissions from HTBA, HMGA, STBA, and SRAC were 3.8%, 3.0%, 10.1%, and 8.5% lower and 4.3%, 2.9%, 7.4%, and 7.6% lower, respectively, than the respective control cattle. The land ...
Food waste is a global dilemma with environmental, social and economic consequences. Environmenta... more Food waste is a global dilemma with environmental, social and economic consequences. Environmental impacts of wasted food are substantial as it comprises the single largest category of organic matter in municipal landfills. Therefore, redirection of food waste from landfills is necessary to improve global food security and environmental sustainability issues. Livestock, with their capacity to “up-cycle” relatively low-quality feedstuffs into high quality protein, are an essential element of this solution. However, challenges regarding utilization of food waste for livestock production include regulatory restrictions, safety concerns and logistics associated with collection, transport and handling. Moreover, identifying industries with significant loss and waste resources along the supply chain, quantifying availability, and effective communication and coordination are necessary steps for large-scale diversion of food loss and waste to livestock feed. In Canada, Loop Resources is a o...
This study evaluated the impact of nitrogen (N) application rate and forage species of intercropp... more This study evaluated the impact of nitrogen (N) application rate and forage species of intercropped corn for potential grazing of beef cattle in late fall/early winter. A split plot design (4 replicates/treatment) was used at 2 experimental sites in Manitoba, Canada with 2 treatment factors: 1) N application rate as the main plot and 2) forage intercrop species as the sub plot. Nitrogen application rates were 45 kg N/ha and 112 kg N/ha. Forage species were: italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), graza forage radish (Raphanus sativus), red clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and a mix of all 4 forages. Intercropped treatments were compared with corn only control treatments with no intercrop at both N rates. Plots were seeded in 2019 with corn from May 8-10 and intercrops seeded from June 17-25. Chemical composition of intercropped forages and corn were determined in early October. Averaged over sites and intercrop treatment, increasing N application increased (...
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using conventional productivity-enhanc... more The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using conventional productivity-enhancing technologies (PETs) with or without other natural PETs on the growth performance, carcass traits, and environmental impacts of feedlot cattle. A total of 768 cross-bred yearling steers (499 ± 28.6 kg; n = 384) and heifers (390 ± 34.9 kg; n = 384) were offered a barley grain-based basal diet and divided into implanted or non-implanted groups. Steers were then allocated to diets that contained either: (i) no additive (control); natural feed additives including (ii) fibrolytic enzymes (Enz), (iii) essential oil (Oleo), (iv) direct-fed microbial (DFM), (v) DFM + Enz + Oleo combination; conventional feed additives including (vi) Conv (monensin, tylosin, and beta-adrenergic agonists [βAA]); or Conv with natural feed additives including (vii) Conv + DFM + Enz; (viii) Conv + DFM + Enz + Oleo. Heifers received one of the first three dietary treatments or the following: (iv) probiotic (Citr); ...
Global drivers such as the growing human population, evolving consumer preferences, globalization... more Global drivers such as the growing human population, evolving consumer preferences, globalization, and climate change have put pressure on the agri-food sector to produce more livestock products with less land, feed, and water. Taste, nutritional value, cost, convenience, source, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability of food are criteria upon which purchasing decisions are made. In response, an environmental footprint analysis composed of greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient and water use efficiency, water quality, carbon storage, and biodiversity has been completed for many commodities. However, as livestock production systems occur within complex agro-ecosystems, it is extremely challenging to formulate a single overall sustainability metric. There is no “silver bullet” to solve the environmental concerns of all livestock production systems as they operate under different constraints on different landscapes, with different water and nutrient cycles, and soil types. Furthe...
This study estimated movement of feed between regions of Alberta to meet the needs of the beef se... more This study estimated movement of feed between regions of Alberta to meet the needs of the beef sector in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, and included barley and wheat grain, grass hay and grass-legume hay, which can be cost-effectively transported. Feed demands of beef and other livestock (i.e., dairy cattle, chickens, pigs, sheep, bison, horses, turkeys and other poultry) were estimated using county-level inventories from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and Statistics Canada, and aggregated to 7 land-use regions: Lower Athabasca, Upper Athabasca, Lower Peace, Upper Peace, North Saskatchewan, Red Deer and South Saskatchewan. Feed requirements were sourced from literature and expert opinion pertinent to Canadian context, and feed demand estimated using annualized feeding days and dry matter (DM) intake. Feed available for beef production was estimated from crop yields minus other livestock feed use. Average feed demand for beef production across Alberta was (tons of DM) 2.71 M, ...
This study evaluated the impact of adding biochar to a grass hay-based diet on in vitro dry matte... more This study evaluated the impact of adding biochar to a grass hay-based diet on in vitro dry matter disappearance (DMD), total gas production (GP), methane production (CH4), volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration. Treatments were arranged in a factorial design with 7 biochar products differing in origin (pine or coconut-based) and physical properties (course, fine or loose spheres) at 2 inclusion levels (2.25% and 4.5% of DM) and a grass hay-only control. On each three successive weeks, rumen fluid was collected from 2 ruminally cannulated beef heifers fed a grass hay-based diet, pooled and mixed with a buffer solution (1:2) and treatments incubated in triplicate for 48 h. Gas pressure was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h of incubation, and gas was collected at each time to measure CH4. At 48 h, pH was measured and the supernatant sampled for determination of VFA and NH3-N, while the residue was used to estimate DMD. Dry matter disappearance ...
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