Summary
This life cycle assessment evaluated four rotational crop-livestock systems in South America using temporally high-resolution experimental data to determine their greenhouse gas emissions intensities for beef production. The authors found that continuous cropping and short rotation systems produced lower emissions (11.3–11.8 kg CO₂-eq/kg liveweight gain) compared with forage-only rotation (16.4 kg CO₂-eq/kg), and that including soil organic carbon sequestration substantially reduced total system emissions (by 19–42% depending on rotation length). The research addresses a significant data gap in the assessment of mixed farm systems' environmental performance.
UK applicability
Whilst this study was conducted in South America and reflects that region's climate and soil conditions, the methodological approach and rotation principles may inform UK assessments of integrated crop-livestock systems. However, direct comparison would require UK-specific long-term experimental data accounting for different rainfall, temperatures, and soil types.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas emissions intensities (kg CO₂-eq/kg liveweight gain); soil organic carbon stock changes; cradle-to-farmgate exit emissions; economic allocation of emissions between crop and animal enterprises
Outcomes reported
The study quantified greenhouse gas emissions intensities (kg CO₂-eq per kg liveweight gain) for four rotational crop-livestock systems using high-resolution experimental data from 2019–2022. Soil organic carbon stock changes were found to substantially reduce overall system emissions, with effects varying by rotation type.
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