Summary
This paper synthesises evidence from a global platform of research farms to identify key traits and management strategies that could enhance the sustainability of ruminant livestock systems under climate change. The authors address the tension between ruminant production's role in food security and nutrient density provision, against concerns regarding feed conversion efficiency and methane emissions. The study proposes research-led breeding and feeding approaches tailored to diverse regional and cultural production contexts.
UK applicability
The findings are likely applicable to UK pastoral and mixed farming systems, particularly regarding grassland-based ruminant production. UK research farms may have contributed to this global platform, and recommendations for genetic selection and nutritional optimisation would be relevant to British livestock sectors seeking to improve environmental performance.
Key measures
Genetic traits, nutritional strategies, feed conversion efficiency, enteric methane production, and system-specific sustainability indicators across diverse production systems
Outcomes reported
The study collated information from a global network of research farms representing diverse ruminant production systems and identified key genetic and nutritional approaches that could improve sustainability. The findings drew out region-specific recommendations for optimising ruminant livestock systems in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.