Regenerative Livestock Systems: Enhancing Nutrient Density and Ecosystem Health Through Holistic Practices

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 709

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Interests: ruminants; anerobic fermentation; soil fertility; grazing; dairy; nutritional density; agroecology; agroecosystems; biodiversity; regenerative agriculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Regenerative livestock systems are gaining global attention as transformative approaches to animal agriculture, emphasizing ecological resilience, animal welfare, and nutrient-rich food production. Unlike conventional methods, these systems integrate holistic grazing, soil restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and climate adaptation strategies to improve both ecosystem health and food quality.

This Special Issue aims to explore scientific advancements and practical applications in regenerative livestock farming. Key topics include soil microbiome enrichment, carbon sequestration in pasture-based systems, the impact of diverse forages on meat and dairy nutrient density, and animal welfare in regenerative models. Additionally, we welcome studies on policy frameworks, economic viability, and the role of regenerative livestock in climate mitigation.

We seek contributions from researchers, practitioners, and industry experts providing empirical data, case studies, or theoretical insights into how regenerative approaches influence animal health, product quality, and environmental sustainability. This issue will serve as a platform to bridge the gap between scientific research and on-the-ground applications, fostering a deeper understanding of regenerative livestock’s role in building resilient food systems.

Potential authors are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to the evolving discourse on sustainable and regenerative livestock production.

Dr. Gustavo Lascano
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • regenerative livestock
  • nutrient density
  • ecosystem
  • health
  • soil restoration
  • holistic/systems approach

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

24 pages, 928 KB  
Article
Enhancing Sheep Vitality Through Diverse Pastures and Seaweed Bio-Stimulants: Effects on Performance, Health, and Product Quality
by Sagara N. Kumara, Anita Fleming, Fabiellen Pereira, Ashna Khan, Simon Kelly, Gwen-Aelle Grelet and Pablo Gregorini
Agriculture 2025, 15(16), 1764; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15161764 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 480
Abstract
This on-farm study explored the effects of diverse pasture systems and seaweed bio-stimulants (AgriSea NZ Seaweed Products, Paeroa, New Zealand) on sheep performance, metabolic health, milk composition, and carcass characteristics. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used to compare three pasture systems; [...] Read more.
This on-farm study explored the effects of diverse pasture systems and seaweed bio-stimulants (AgriSea NZ Seaweed Products, Paeroa, New Zealand) on sheep performance, metabolic health, milk composition, and carcass characteristics. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used to compare three pasture systems; ryegrass-white clover (RW), a 23-species diverse mix (DI), and functionally diverse strip swards (ST), with (SW) or without (CO) a seaweed bio-stimulant. Ninety pregnant ewes were stratified by live weight and allocated across six treatment groups (15 ewes per treatment). Lambing occurred on treatment paddocks. At weaning, 90 lambs (15 per treatment) were selected based on body weight and sex balance to continue through to finishing. Pasture chemical composition differed among treatments: ST had lower fibre (neutral detergent fibre, NDF; acid detergent fibre, ADF) than RW and DI, while SW increased dry matter digestibility (DMD) and metabolisable energy (ME), and reduced NDF and ADF (p < 0.05). Strip pastures improved lamb average daily gain (ADG) by 17% from lambing to weaning compared to DI, and by 14% from weaning to finishing compared to RW (p < 0.05). Seaweed bio-stimulant treatment enhanced lamb ADG by up to 12% and improved carcass traits, including loin and shoulder yields (p < 0.05). Ewes and lambs on seaweed-treated pastures exhibited lower serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations (p < 0.05), indicating better energy balance. Milk from ST and/or SW treated ewes had elevated omega-6 fatty acids and essential amino acids, suggesting enhanced nutritional value. These findings demonstrate that combining botanical diversity with natural bio-stimulants can improve animal growth, metabolic health, and product quality, offering a promising strategy for sustainable and welfare-oriented sheep production systems. Full article
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