Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Key traits for ruminant livestock across diverse production systems in the context of climate change: perspectives from a global platform of research farms

M. Jordana Rivero, N. López‐Villalobos, A.C.O. Evans, A. Berndt, Andrew D. Cartmill, Andrew L. Neal, A. McLaren, Anne A. Farruggia, Catherine Mignolet, D. R. Chadwick, David Styles, D. I. McCracken, Dennis Busch, Graeme B. Martin, Hannah Fleming, Helen Sheridan, James Gibbons, Lutz Merbold, Mark C. Eisler, N.R. Lambe, Pablo Rovira, Paul Harris, Paul Murphy, Philip E. Vercoe, Prysor Williams, R. Machado, Taro Takahashi, Thomas Puech, T.M. Boland, Walter Ayala, Michael R. F. Lee

Reproduction Fertility and Development · 2021

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Summary

This multi-institutional review synthesises findings from a global platform of research farms to identify critical traits and management approaches for ruminant livestock systems across diverse production contexts. The authors address the dual challenge of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and improving production efficiency whilst maintaining the nutritional and soil health benefits of ruminant-based agriculture. The paper proposes targeted genetic and nutritional interventions tailored to different regional production systems to support more sustainable future livestock farming.

UK applicability

The findings are directly applicable to UK ruminant systems, particularly temperate pasture-based dairy and beef production. UK research farms likely contributed to this global network, and recommendations on breeding selection and feeding strategies can inform UK livestock improvement programmes and climate adaptation policy.

Key measures

Feed conversion efficiency, enteric methane emissions, nutrient density of ruminant products, soil organic matter returns, breeding traits for climate adaptation

Outcomes reported

The study collated information from a global network of research farms to identify key genetic and nutritional approaches that could enhance the sustainability of diverse ruminant production systems. It drew recommendations for animal breeding and feeding strategies relevant to different production contexts and regions.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Livestock nutrition & meat quality
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Pasture-based livestock
DOI
10.1071/rd20205
Catalogue ID
BFmovi1swh-38nyio

Topic tags

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