ING 2015 · 2016-01-28 · the concentration of organic material and maintenance of soil phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels. The rotational grazing system resulted

A cAse study on pilot of good prActices of cAttle breending in the cerrAdo And pAntAnAl biomes

2015

STUDYING

WWF - Cartilha Promove2

edited byFabio Ramos

editing coordinator and interviewerFabio Ramos

text revisionThaís Lima Letícia Campos

graphic design and editingEduardo Guimarães

orthographic revisionThaís LimaLetícia Campos

revisão técnicaIvens Domingos

cover photo@ Adriano Gambarini / WWF-Brazil

A case study on pilot of good practices of cattle breending in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. Brasília - DF, 2015: WWF-Brasil. 16 p.: il. Color.: 21x29,7 cm. Type of support : INTERNET

Bibliografia[ISBN: 978-85-5574-014-5]

1. Case study; 2. WWF-Brasil; 3. Cattle breending.

A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomesPB A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes 1

WWF – Brazil

December, 2015

a case stuDy on pilot oF gooD practices oF cattle BreenDing in the cerraDo anD pantanal Biomes

2 A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes2 A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes 3

A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes2 A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes 3

inDex1 BacKgrounD 5

2 summary oF the pilot proJects 6

2.1 Fazenda Vó tereza 6

2.1.1 property description 6

2.1.2 project objective and summary 7

2.1.3 results 8

2.1.4 economic indicators 9

2.2 Fazenda millenium 11

2.2.1 property description 11

2.2.2 project objective and summary 12

2.2.3 results 12

2.2.4 economic indicators 13

3 Final comments 15

3.1 lessons learned and challenges 15

3.2 technology potential and replication 15

3.3 environmental benefits 16

3.4 conclusion 16

@ A

driano Gam

barini / WW

F-Brasil

@ A

driano Gam

barini / WW

F-Brasil

1. BacKgrounD Between 2008 and 2009, WWF-Brasil joined forces with the beef industry to contribute to the development of best practices for beef production with the aim of promoting positive environmental impacts.

This pioneering initiative was targeted at supporting and disseminating best practices for beef production based on the results of studies and the development of technologies, cost benefit relationships, impacts on natural resources and replicability of agroecological practices1.

The workshop “Definition of Best practices in Beef Production Systems in the Cerrado and Pantanal”, held in 2009, was a milestone in the integration of environmental concerns into beef production. With the presence of various organisations representing the beef industry, this workshop provided an unprecedented forum for discussion in which various actors came together to think about a sustainable beef production model, forge a partnership and define an agenda for future activities.

In 2010, with the publication of “Conserving Water and Soil: beef cattle production in the Cerrado”, WWF–Brasil established a strategic partnership with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) - through its National Centre for Beef Cattle Research (CNPGC) and Centre for Advanced Research on the Pantanal (CNPP) - aimed at integrating scientific and technical research with production. Subsequently, in 2012, the study “Conserving Pastures and Landscapes: beef cattle production in the Pantanal”, the result of the first phase of this work, was published. These actions were followed by case studies of the pilot projects “Best practices for Beef Production in the Cerrado and Pantanal”.

the pilot proJectsThe objective of this paper is to present the results of two pilot projects to promote best practices for sustainable beef production in the Alto Paraguay River Basin. These projects began in July 2010 and were implemented over a period of four years in four major phases: identification of cattle farms (Fazenda Millenium located in the municipality of Maracaju, in the Cerrado, and Fazenda Vó Tereza in the municipality of Rio de Verde in the Pantanal floodplain; both in the States of Mato Grosso do Sul), discussions with the owners about the best practices adopted in the demonstration units, project planning and implementation, and follow up and monitoring.

The focus of the implementation and monitoring phases was to prove the hypothesis that beef production models based on best practices result in improved livestock production and productivity, are economically feasible and promote the conservation of natural resources at farm level.

The subsequent phase consisted of developing a strategy to disseminate replicable best practices adopted in the demonstration units in the respective regions.

1 Técnicas agroecológicas – tecnologias baseadas nos princípios da agroecologia, caracterizadas como tecnologias de baixo impacto ao meio ambiente. Agroecologia é uma ciência dedicada ao estudo das relações produtivas homem-natureza objetivando a sustentabilidade ecológica, econômica, social, cultural, política e ética.

pilot proJects in the state oF mato grosso Do sul

Estudo de Caso sobre os Projetos Pilotos de Boas Práticas Pecuárias no Cerrado e Pantanal 5A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes


2. summary oF the pilot proJects2.1 Fazenda Vó tereza 2.1.1 Property description

FAZENDA VÓ TEREZALocation Municipality of Rio Verde Coordinates 18º 40’ 06” S - 55º 08’28” OArea of pasture (hectares) 560Number of head of cattle 630Herd management Fattening/raising

the numBer oF heaD cattle is 630 animals

!.

CORUMBÁ

COXIM

AQUIDAUANA

SONORA

CAMAPUÃ

RIO VERDE DE MATO GROSSOFIGUEIRÃO

PEDRO GOMES

CORGUINHO BANDEIRANTES

SÃO GABRIEL DO OESTE

RIO NEGRO

ROCHEDO

JARAGUARI

ALCINÓPO

TERENOS

RIBAS DO RIO

CAMPO GRANDEDOIS IRMÃOS DO BURITI

Fazenda Vó Tereza


2.1.2 Project objective and summary

The objective of the project was to improve management by adopting sustainable beef production practices, focussing on improvements in soil and pasture management through optimizing stocking rate and pasture carrying capacity.

Practices adopted in the Fazenda Vó Tereza demonstration unit focussed on the implementation of a rotational grazing system and soil, forage and paddock management, consisting of the following activities:

• Body condition index monitoring: pasture conditions, salt intake, rainfall data versus pasture conditions, and weighing of lots;

• Improvements in grazing infrastructure to improve herd management and animal well-being: installation of water troughs and subdivision fences, adjustments in feeder trough space and construction of a feeding area;

• Soil analysis: monitoring of the fertility of the soil of the rotational grazing system.

• Forage management, including the introduction of legumes;

• Readjustment of stocking rate to reflect the increase in the carrying capacity of the areas used in the rotational grazing system.

oBJectiVeto improVe management By aDopting sustainaBle

BeeF proDuction practices

Arquivo Fazenda V

ó Tereza


2.1.3 Results

This section presents the results in the form of technical indicators of soil and pasture management, pasture carrying capacity, and livestock production and productivity.

Soil and pasture management

Soil and pasture management consisted of a transition from an extensive to intensive system through the implementation of rotational grazing. Results showed an increase in the concentration of organic material and maintenance of soil phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels.

The rotational grazing system resulted in adequate periods of grazing and rest period between grazing and an increase in pasture carrying capacity from 0.73 Animal Units2 (AU) per hectare to 1.2 AU per hectare.

Stocking rate and support capacity

Year N° of head of cattlehead of cattle per

hectareAU per hectare

2010 525* 0.9 0.732011 290** 1.0 0.812012 655 1.1 0.892013 490 2.2 0.772014 499 2.3 1.20

* Average calculated based on data provided by owners based on a total area dedicated to pasture of 560 hectares. ** Use of area - 216 hectares of pasture; Fazenda Vó Tereza 2009/2014.

The following table shows that the performance of the system is above the national average and equivalent to Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA)/EMBRAPA indicators.

Comparison of results between Fazenda Vó Tereza and references

IndicatorStocking rate

(AU per hectare)Stocking rate

(Head of cattle per hectare)

Fazenda Vó Tereza 1,2 2,3 MAPA/Embrapa* 1,29 2,06National average* 0,6 0,9

* Source: MAPA (2003), Technical report, 101, EMBRAPA;

2 Animal unit is a unit of measurement equivalent to a live weight of 450 kilogrammes and is used to represent the ratio of live weight to unit area of occupied land (one hectare = 10,000m²)..

the results presents in the Formoh technical inDicators oF soil anD pasture management,

pasture carrying capacity, anD liVestocK

proDuction anD proDuctiVity

Arquivo Fazenda V

ó Tereza


The rotational grazing system comprising 216 hectares of pasture subdivided into five paddocks resulted in an average of 40 to 50 grazing days and 70 to 80 days of rest in each period of 110 to 130 days.

Livestock production and productivity

Productivity results, based on arrobas3 per hectare, were derived from monitoring animal weight, stocking rate and animal unit per hectare.

Average daily gain (ADG)4 increased by 45.8% and, despite a significant decrease in AU per hectare, there was an increase in productivity (arroba per hectare).

2.1.4 Economic indicators

During the course of the project, R$20,865 was invested in grazing infrastructure at Fazenda Vó Tereza. The increase in productivity resulting from the implementation of the rotational grazing system led to an increase in income of R$23,189.59 as shown in the table below.

Financial indicators - investmentIndicadores Production in arrobas per hectare

2011/2012 2012/2013 TotalProduction in arrobas (area of 560 hectares) 1728 1949 221

Increase in income (R$) 181.462,56 204.646,15 23.183,59

Investment (R$) 20.865,00Source: Fazenda Vó Tereza; Rondom Consultoria 2014;

3 Arroba is a standard measure adopted in Brazil to describe the weight of livestock and is equivalent to 15 kilogrammes.

4 Average daily gain is the rate of weight gain of an animal per day over a specified period.

it Was inVesteD in grazing inFrastructure

at FazenDa Vó tereza

0,230

0,90

0,73

0,303

0,82

0,66

0,335

0,89

0,59

0,000

0,100

0,200

0,300

0,400

0,500

0,600

0,700

0,800

0,900

1,000

GMD (g/day) stocking rate (head of cattle per hectare)

stocking rate (AU per hectare)

2009-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

2,519

3,086 3,480

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,000

1,500

1,000

0,500

2,500

0,000

2013 2012 2011


0,230

0,90

0,73

0,303

0,82

0,66

0,335

0,89

0,59

0,000

0,100

0,200

0,300

0,400

0,500

0,600

0,700

0,800

0,900

1,000

GMD (g/day) stocking rate (head of cattle per hectare)


2009-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

2,519

3,086 3,480

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,000

1,500

1,000

0,500

2,500

0,000

2013 2012 2011



The financial indicators show that the system resulted in a liquid gain of R$180 per hectare per year and is therefore economically viable

Technical and financial indicators

Category Initial weight (arrobas)

Final weight (arrobas) Gain (arrobas)

Category Initial weight (arrobas)

Final weight (arrobas) Gain (arrobas)

R$ 600,00 1.200,00 600,00Custo @ 3 3 3Ganho @ 3 3 3

R$ /ha / ano 90,00 180,00 180,00*ADG = 300g/day; R$100/arroba; rotational grazing system of 216 hectares; lot 400 head of cattle.

General farm management efficiency improved with the implementation of grazing infrastructure (water troughs, salt and feed supplement troughs, and corral), pasture management and implementation of the 216 hectare rotational grazing system.

general Farm management eFFiciency

improVeD With the implementation oF

grazing inFrastructure, pasture management

anD implementation

Arquivo Fazenda V

ó Tereza


2.2 Fazenda millenium2.1.1 Property description

FAZENDA MILLENIUMLocation Municipality of Maracaju Coordinates 21°47`30” S – 55°13`30” WArea of pasture (hectares) 863 Number of head of cattle 1,385Herd management Breeding/raising/fattening

JA

BONITO

!.

Fazenda Millenium

MARACAJU

NIOAQUE SIDROLÂNDIA

RIO BRILHANTERDIM

PONTA PORÃ

NOVA ALVORADA DO SUL

ITAPORÃ

STA

GUIA LOPES DA LAGUNA

ANASTÁCIO

DOURADOS

CAMPO GRANDE

DOURADOSDOURADINA

DOIS IRMÃOS DO BURITI

BELA VI

in municipality oF maracaJu

@ G

eralda Magela / W

WF-B

rasil


2.2.2 Project objective and summary

The objective of this project was to develop a management model focussing on improvements in soil and pasture management to increase pasture carrying capacity and herd production efficiency with the aim of maintaining and enhancing biodiversity at farm level.

To this end, the project focussed on best production practices related to soil, grazing and herd management and monitoring technical and financial performance, consisting of the following activities:

• Definition of criteria for validating soil, grazing and forage management technologies.

• Monitoring of livestock production and productivity indexes: pasture management, subdivision of paddocks, pasture fertilisation programme using biofertiliser, stocking and pasture carrying capacity, weaning and slaughter weight and age;

• Management and technical and financial feasibility assessment of activities and analysis of financial performance.

2.2.3 Results

This section presents the results based on data from Fazenda Millenium for the period 2007 to 2013 and including the project period (2010 to 2014) in the form of technical indicators of soil and pasture management, pasture carrying capacity, livestock production and productivity, salt intake and financial performance.

Soil and pasture management

A rotational grazing system was adopted using a number of pasture management practices, including organic fertiliser application using biofertilisers enriched with effective microorganisms (EM), minerals and substances with phytotherapeutic properties.

Soil management using agroecological practices resulted in an increase in organic material and levels of micro minerals, including copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in forage, contributing to improved herd nutrition due to the quality of the pasture.

Weight gain increased between 2010 and 2014 indicating an improvement in the production system and keys indicators of livestock production and productivity. For example, there was a consistent increase in adjusted weaning weight throughout the period

the proJect Was to DeVelop a management

moDel Focussing on improVements

in soil anD pasture management to

increase pasture carrying capacity

anD herD proDuction eFFiency With the aim

oF maintaining anD enhancing BioDiVersity

at Farm leVel

Fazenda Millenium


(52% among cows, from 137 to 209 kg, and 51% for bulls, from 149 to 225 kg, equivalent to 7.5 arrobas, which is above the national average of 6.0 arrobas).

The live weight of cows in the pre-slaughter phase increased by 7.2%, reaching a final weight of 385 kg per cow, which is equivalent to 12.8 arrobas, above the national average of 12 arrobas. The pre-slaughter live weight of bulls increased by 4.4%, resulting in a final weight of 500 kg, which is equivalent to 16.6 arrobas. Production based on number of arrobas sold was 6 arrobas per hectare per year.

Increase in carrying capacity: the new management model resulted in a carrying capacity of 1.2 animal units per hectare, with year-round good pasture conditions.

Technical indicatorsIndicators Values

Head per hectare 1.5AU per hectare 1.2

Total number of head of cattle 1,259

Arroba per hectare 4.3

Livestock production and productivity

Nutritional management (pastures + mineralisation) associated with prevention management (herd health practices, homeopathy, Schüssler salts, phytotherapy), resulted in livestock production and productivity above the national average.

Herd mineral mix intake decreased throughout the period by 34% in comparison to EMBRAPA figures. Results showed a 44 g reduction in salt intake per animal between the beginning and end of the project (2011 to 2014).

Agroecological herd management based on the use of homeopathic medications, Schüssler salts and phytotherapy, which were orally administered or added to the mineral mix (source: Fazenda Millenium, 2011) helped reduce calf mortality rate to zero over the period - an ideal rate for a beef production system.

The reproductive management of the herd, based on animal health, resulted in a 95% calving rate. The pregnancy rate in cows with calves at foot increased 25%, reaching 84%, which is above the national average.

The length of the breeding season5 reduced from six to three months at the end of the four-year period, demonstrating improvements in reproductive management and good fertility and calving rates.

The time interval between calving remained stable over the period; the average interval was 12.3 months, which is within the expected standards of sustainable beef production and well above the national average for the herd that ranges between 15 and 18 months.

The offtake rate6 increased by 32.4% over the six-year period, which comprises a 19% increase since the implementation of the demonstration unit. The 24.5% offtake rate is greater than the national average of 23.6%.

2.2.4 Economic indicators

Investments in system infrastructure were not considered for this demonstration unit. The amounts included consisted of input costs, labour, monitoring and consultant’s fees.

5 The breeding season is the period in which cows and heifers are mounted by bulls or are artificially inseminated.6 The offtake rate is the relationship between the number of animals sold and total herd size, demonstrating the

efficiency of the production system.

proDuction costs incluDeD laBour, inputs, material,

Vaccines anD homeopathic anD

phytotherapeutic meDications


Production costs included labour, inputs, material, vaccines and homeopathic and phytotherapeutic medications (with an average cost of R$1.00 per animal per year) and other administrative costs. The following table compares the costs incurred at Fazenda Millenium with typical beef production costs according to EMBRAPA.

Project system costs compared to EMBRAPA’s national systemObserved items 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Fazenda % 10 0,9 0,6 0,3 0Cost of production in

arrobas (%) % 32,1 40 nd 61,7 47,1

Source: Fazenda Millenium, 2013.

The cost of production per arroba per hectare of the system adopted at Fazenda Millenium gradually reduced in comparison to the average typical beef production costs according to EMBRAPA.

Economic indicatorsIndicadores Valores

R$ per hectare per year 2,268.94Net R$ per hectare

per year 450.21

Fazenda Millenium


3.1 lessons learned and challengesThe results of these pilot projects involving the adoption of best practices in sustainable beef production in demonstration units on two certified organic farms in the Alto Paraguay River Basin confirm that production practices based upon of agroecological principles are technically and financially feasible.

Sustainable beef production is possible through effective planning, the implementation of best soil, pasture, nutritional, health and reproduction practices, and the effective control and monitoring of the production system.

Based on these foundations and the results obtained from the demonstration units, we suggest that this technology should be disseminated and recommend the promotion of further technical and scientific research to consolidate best soil and pasture management practices integrated with livestock production and productivity.

The challenges of implementing best practices revolve around rural extension and technical assistance, which are essential to disseminating sustainable management principles and practices that have a positive impact on natural resources.

3.2 technology potential and replicationBest soil and pasture management practices involving rotational grazing systems should be developed in different regions and adapted to specific local conditions.

The rotational grazing system as a best practice in sustainable beef production is a viable alternative for the region, where overgrazing and mismanagement has led to pasture degradation, both in terms of soil compaction and loss of natural fertility, and impacted water resources.

The main thrust of research and dissemination activities is soil and pasture management. With a clear understanding of soil management in the region and pasture management at farm level it is possible to develop a more sustainable production system based on sound soil fertility management strategies (forage and pastures).

Sound science-based pasture management must consider the management of native forage plants and the use of leguminous plants to enhance forage quality.

A living soil is a soil with a high level of faunal activity, with the presence of various organisms such as protozoa, nematodes, mites, springtails, centipedes, ants, beetles, insect larvae, worms and molluscs, which provide the ideal conditions for plant growth and development even under adverse seasonal conditions. Methods such as Shannon diversity index (H) and/or Pielou’s evenness index (E) are recommended for accurate measurement of these soil properties.

the challenges oF implementing Best

practices resolVe arounD rural extension anD

technical assistance, Which are essential to

Disseminating sustainaBle management principles

anD practices that haVe a positiVe impact on

natural resources

3. Final comments

16 A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes16 A case study on pilot projects of good practices of cattle breeding in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes PB

3.3 3.4 environmental benefitsAccording to the farm owners, the environmental benefits of this system for the region and at farm level are evident, particularly water and forest conservation.

This integrated pasture management system complies with current environmental legislation, guaranteeing the protection of water sources and contributing to the conservation of local biodiversity and the natural habitats of local fauna, thus safeguarding the natural conditions necessary for the reproduction of wild animals.

Conservation practices, such as the use of green manure, zero tillage and agroforestry systems have a positive effect on populations of soil fauna and are important for maintaining the diversity of macro fauna to ensure soil fertility and structure.

Water management based on a system that distributes water to artificial troughs economises the use of water by meeting the real demands of the herd, thus avoiding waste.

Soil and pasture management based on rotational grazing promotes the conservation of native forage species to complement animal diet and maintain the diversity of forage plants in the production area, thus enhancing animal nutrition and the control of pests and pasture diseases.

Soil management based on agroecological practices, including the maintenance of organic material and use of biofertilisers, leads to improved soil fertility, microbiological balance and soil carrying capacity.

There is a positive direct association between adequate soil and pasture management and preservation of native plant species. Tree and shrub species are maintained in silvopastoral systems, thus contributing to the maintenance of biodiversity and conservation and biological balance of the soil (nitrogen input from leguminous plants), while at the same time promoting animal well-being by providing shade and wind protection.

3.4 conclusionThe results of these pilot projects confirm that this model of sustainable beef production directly benefits both farmers and the environment.

Apart from generating positive environmental impacts, the system enhances livestock production and productivity and its technical and financial feasibility make it an attractive alternative for farmers.

The findings show that the adoption of this model is associated with a number of environmental gains at farm level.

Initial benefits include compliance with environmental legislation at farm level, followed by improvements in pasture management and the guarantee of fertile and well-balanced soils (sustainability).

there is a positiVe Direct association BetWeen

aDequate soil anD pasture management

anD preserVation oF natiVe plant species

WWF - Cartilha Promove3

A case study on pilot of good practices of cattle breending in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes

PILOT PROJECT

RESULTSTWO CERTIFIED

OBJECTIVE

@ A

driano G

amb

arini / WW

F-Brasil

WWF.ORG.BR

To improve management by adopting sustainable beef production practices, focussing on improvements in soil and pasture management through optimizing stocking rate and pasture carrying capacity

In the form of technical indicators of soil and pasture management, pasture carrying capacity, and livestock production and productivity

Organic farms in the Alto Paraguay River Basin

In the state of Mato Grosso do Sul

wwf.org.br

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A case study on pilot of good practices of cattle breending inthe Cerrado and Pantanal biomes

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ING 2015 · 2016-01-28 · the concentration of organic material and maintenance of soil phosphorous, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels. The rotational grazing system resulted