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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 #279686
Title: Nutritional management of feedlot cattle to optimize performance and minimize environmental impact

Author
item Cole, Noel
item Hales Paxton, Kristin
item Todd, Richard
item Parker, David
item BROWN, MIKE - West Texas A & M University
item MACDONALD, JIM - Texas Agrilife Research

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/26/2012
Publication Date: 6/7/2012
Citation: Cole, N.A., Hales, K.E., Todd, R.W., Parker, D.B., Brown, M.S., Macdonald, J.C. 2012. Nutritional management of feedlot cattle to optimize performance and minimize environmental impact. 4th International Symposium of Beef Cattle Production, July 7-10,2012, Viscosa, Brazil. p.1-49.

Interpretive Summary: The Simposio Internacional de Producao de Gado de Corte (International Symposium on Production of Beef Cattle) is held every other year at Vicosa University in Vicosa, Brazil. Average attendance is approximatley 700 people, making it one of the largest attended beef cattle conferences in the world. Most cattle in Brazil and other parts of South America are grass-finished; however, the cattle feeding industry is rapidly growing, from less than 1 million cattle 8 years ago, to over 3 million head this year. Environmental issues are of concern to the producers and citizens of Brazil. Dr. Cole will present a paper summarizing nutrition and management techniques that can be used to minimize environmental impacts of cattle production. The presentation and manuscript include 1) reducing runoff of nutrients to surface waters, 2) reducing ammonia and greenhouse gas, dust and odor emissions.

Technical Abstract: The cattle feeding industry is a new but rapidly growing industry in Brazil and other parts of South America. This presentation/ manuscript provides a brief overview of potential environmental issues faced by concentrated cattle feeding operations, and methods to minimize adverse effects on the environment. These potential adverse effects include contamination of ground or surface waters with nutrients, pathogens, or pharmaceologically active compounds and emissions of odors, dust, ammonia and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Methods covered include proper use of runoff retention facilites, use of buffer strips, phase feeding of protein, limiting phosphorus intake, feeding management, diet formulations, and proper use of manure as a fertilizer. By applying proper nutrition and management regimens in the early stages of growth, any adverse effects on the environment can be prevented.