animal science general Flashcards
Sustainability, population growth
Define animal science
studying the
biology of animals that are under the control
of mankind
The importance of animal science
Feeding the world, Growing population and major contribution to rural economic development in Ireland
what is the 2050 goal of producing more from less
planet needs to produce 70% more food using less land, water and energy
estimated human population of 2050
9 billion ppl
affect of rising incomes in relation to food products
spend more money on food especially high protein animal products
ruminant contribution to rising global demand for meat
contribute around half of the animal protein produced by livestock
where will most of this growth in meat consumption occur
80% of this growth will occur in developing countries i.e. Asia and Africa
expected increase of food prices
by 15-40%
causes of world food demand by 2050
50% increase from world population growth
50% increase from economic rise in low income countries (urbanisation)
The average EU farmer feeds how many ppl?
155 people
a third of total cereal production goes towards what?
animal feed
1kg of CH4 (methane) = ?
28kg CO2
1kg N2O (nitrous oxide)= ?
298kg CO2
Agriculture (livestock production) responsible for how much GHG emissions
14%
Deforestation accounts for how much GHG emission
18%
Cattle accounts for how much GHG emissions within total livestock
65%
Sustainability tradeoff
Beef cattle> total GHG emissions from livestock production than monogastric animals
main sources of CH4 (methane) emissions in ag
cattle belches
animal manure
main sources of N2O (nitrous oxide) in ag
animal manure
fertiliser
urine patches
Main sources of CO2 emissions in ag
fuel on farm
generation of electricity
release of carbon stores in soils
2030 goal
Reduce GHG by 25%
Improve water quality via (2030)
50% reduction in nutrient losses
20% reduction in fertiliser use
GHG emissions in intensive production systems
modern systems have lower GHG per unit of beef
habitable land utilisation
71%
agriculture% of habitable land
50%
World Land Utilisation: Total wasteland%
67% wasteland; unsuitable temperature/ altitude ect.
World Land Utilisation: ratio of grassland to cultivated land
There is twice as much grassland as cultivated land
Carbon sequestration in grassland
Permanent pasture
Grazing only
Diverse swards
Cropland>grassland>forest
Forage in relation to livestock feeding systems
net producer of human edible protein and energy
Contrasting view of grain-fed systems
Requires less land, but more human edible-feed to produce a kg of beef
What percentage of consumers in Ireland are estimated to be vegetarians?
6%
How to measure GHG impact and production costs
Grazing season
age at 1st calving
calving interval
LWG
Sustainable farm production involves…
minimising environmental costs while creating societal benefits and maintaining profits
What are the levers of these changes?
Economy: willingness to pay
Environment: increase demand in organic farming
Welfare: no castration ect.
Quality: production without additives
Irelands achievement in sustainable agriculture
The most carbon efficient milk producer in the EU
