Abstract:
This study compares the environmental impact (i.e. feed intake, water consumption and greenhouse
gas emissions) of 12 different calf-production systems to produce a calf weighing 190 kg to 220 kg.
A farm-level static model and a national-level dynamic model were both developed to consider the
variation in the environmental impact following different cattle management protocols. It was found
that aspects related to calf mortality rates, calving percentage, average daily gain and fodder
conversion ratios play a significant role in the total environmental impact of calf production. The
longer it takes for a calf to reach the target weight and the more animals there are in the herd
structure, the higher the environmental impact and the more unsustainable the production becomes.
Therefore, the higher the environmental impact, the higher the relative environmental impact to
produce a kilogram of beef. This requires a careful yet decisive policy focus and action plan towards
sustainable rangeland management.
