Researchers at Michigan State University are looking for efficient ways to raise cattle, while controlling greenhouse gas emissions. After four years of research, they say implementing controlled cattle grazing may be a viable solution.
The researchers measured the beef produced, the overall emissions it took to produce that beef, and the amount of carbon absorbed into the ground. They said the results measured a positive net carbon sink, meaning more CO2 was absorbed than the cattle produced.
Jason Rowtree is an associate professor of animal science at MSU. He said adaptive multi-paddock grazing, or AMP, which essentially means moving the cattle before they can eat all the grass, allows the plants to recover.
“By doing that the roots are getting deeper, we’re getting more production in those forages, there’s more CO2 getting sucked down, we’re seeing more biology being stimulated in the soil, and all those thing are about as close to a free paycheck as anybody’s ever going to get”.
Rowtree said currently about 95 percent of beef produced in the United States is raised in high methane emitting feedlots, mostly due to cost. However, he said some beef producers are beginning to see the environmental benefits grazing management may make.
“Now, inherently if we have less emissions we should be potentially more efficient and if we’re more efficient hopefully we can be more competitive from a cost mechanism”.
Rowtree said by implementing efficient grazing strategies it appears possible to achieve sustainable yet optimal beef production.