Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4
200
3
150
2
100
1
50
2468 0 2
Reduction in CH
4
emissions
(% from BASEM)
Fig. 6.2.
Shadow prices of the methane restriction constraint of the model with predetermined emission
reductions (REDM) versus respective reductions in methane emissions from the baseline scenario
(13.5% was the maximum reduction in methane emissions for a feasible model solution). Note: BASEM
represents the baseline scenario. From Moraes
et al
. (2012).
can be used by producers and policy makers in
examining the effects of regulatory policies on
the production system and in identifying strate-
gies that mitigate environmental impacts in an
optimal manner. As a result, management deci-
sions, which comply with sustainable practices,
can be identified and production systems in
which minimal environmental impacts are gen-
erated can be established.
cost of generating environmental impacts. For
compliance with new standards, decision making
models must incorporate the effects of environ-
mental policies on producer utility, system sus-
tainability and profitability. Feeding costs play a
key role in profitability because they represent a
substantial proportion of the total cost in a live-
stock production system. The selection of feeds,
the purchasing of feeds and the formulation of
diets are important activities involved in the feed-
ing of livestock. Elements affecting any of these
factors, such as feed prices, milk demand and
regulatory policies, should be considered in feed
management. Diet optimization models that
incorporate environmental information can be
used in the selection of the feed mix that mini-
mizes environmental impact at minimal cost. In
this study we present a variety of diet optimiza-
tion modelling techniques and, most importantly,
their applications addressing the environmental
impacts in an optimization scenario. An example
of the formulation of diets for a dairy herd, when
environmental policies are enforced, is presented
and the results are discussed to provide an appli-
cation of model solutions and sensitivity analysis
in examining mitigation strategies. In the sce-
nario examined, enforcing a reduction of meth-
ane emissions from dairy cattle greatly increased
diet costs, and mineral and nitrogen excretion
were substantially altered.
Summary
The livestock industry has received increasing
pressure from society to deliver animal products
at minimal environmental cost. Methane emis-
sions from livestock, especially from ruminants,
are listed as a substantial agricultural source of
GHG emissions. Mineral and nitrogen excretions
from livestock are now regulated in several coun-
tries. The livestock industry will be required to
adapt to new regulations and shape its produc-
tion system to meet the demands set by regula-
tory policies. The decision maker, either at the
planning or at the operational level, will be
required to make decisions that optimize animal
production at minimal environmental cost. New
standards will be set by consumers, increasing
the demand for products from sustainable
production systems and, thereby, increasing the
