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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Livestock Nutrient Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #326175
Title: Eco-efficiency model for evaluating feedlot rations in the Great Plains, United States

Author
item HENGEN, TYLER - South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
item SIEVERDIGN, HEIDI - South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
item Cole, Noel
item HAM, JAY - Colorado State University
item STONE, JAMES - South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2016
Publication Date: 4/8/2016
Citation: Hengen, T.J., Sieverdign, H.L., Cole, N.A., Ham, J.M., Stone, J.J. 2016. Eco-efficiency model for evaluating feedlot rations in the Great Plains, United States. Journal of Environmental Quality. 45:1234–1242. doi:10.2134/jeq2015.09.0464.

Interpretive Summary: Large animal feeding operatiosn such as beef cattle feedlots can potentially have adverse effects on the environment. However, because of the complex natures and interactions among cattle type, diet fed, management strategies, and economics, it is difficult to evalaute the environmental impacts of diet and management changes. Therefore scientists from ARS (Bushland, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Colorado State University developed an adaptable eco-efficiency model to assess the impacts of diet characteristics on environmental impacts. The model used the California Net Energy System, life cycle assessment, principal component analyses (PCA), and economic analyses. Results suggest that water, ecosystem and emissions that potentially affect human health were the primary drivers for feedlot eco-efficiency scoring. A well-balanced diet with mid-range dietary and processing energy requirements yielded the most economically- and environmentally- efficient system.

Technical Abstract: Environmental impacts attributable to beef feedlot production provide an opportunity for economically-linked environmental efficiency optimization. An adaptable eco-efficiency model was developed to assess the impacts of dietary rations. The hybridized model utilized California Net Energy System modeling, life cycle assessment (LCA), principal component analyses (PCA), and economic analyses. The model approach was based on 38 potential feedlot rations and four transportation scenarios for the Great Plains US for each ration to determine the appropriate 'weight' of each impact. All scenarios were then assessed through a nested PCA to determine the relative contributing weight of each impact and environmental category to the overall system. The PCA output was evaluated using an eco-efficiency model. Results suggest that water, ecosystem and human health emissions were the primary impact category drivers for feedlot eco-efficiency scoring. A well-balanced ration with mid-range dietary and processing energy requirements yielded the most eco- and environmentally efficient system.