Biomass Production and Use to Improve the Sustainability of Ruminant Systems
A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Grassland and Pasture Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2023) | Viewed by 4686
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sustainable ruminant production systems
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
FAO reports indicate that over 765 M people are considered undernourished, and the livestock sector has a critical role to feed the global population. Livestock are important sources of nutrients (protein, energy, long-chain fatty acids, minerals, vitamins) that are highly bioavailable compared to plant foods. Ruminants consume biomass that is not edible for humans, and they can be raised in marginal areas not suitable for agricultural. The effects of global warming are putting the world’s food security at risk by the reduction of biomass in monoculture pastures, but could be also part of the solution to enrich the agropastoral ecosystem (e.g., grasses, bushes, and trees in the silvopastoral system). Biomass is the primary source of nutrients for cattle production, but it is much more than forage: feed and food, organic fertilizer, carbon sink, energy, fuel, promoter of biodiversity, part of the landscape scenario, an important component to produce water and the main component of agroforestry systems and agroecology science. The adopted production system to meet this demand should be sustainable and in line with the SDGs (sustainable development goals – UN Agenda).
[*] Aim and scope of the Special Issue:
- Identify livestock feed systems based on diversified biomass sources.
- Agroforestry, silvopastoral systems, regenerative agriculture/livestock, integrated systems, organic livestock systems, natural rangeland systems, and cut and carry systems.
- Explore unconventional sources of biomass for ruminant nutrition.
- Nutritional value, reducing methanogenesis (tannins, plant secondary metabolites, and essential oils), low demand on soil fertility and water, and positive synergies between plants species.
- Point out the perspectives of circular economy for the livestock sector.
- ”Waste” to ”resources”: manures, crop residues, leaves, peels, and water.
[*] Cutting-edge research:
We are seeking original research papers looking for scientific evidence on biomass, and modeling data from established or regenerated rangeland that has or is intended to change to systems committed to the FAO’s sustainable development goals to subsidize future public policies.
Dr. Adibe Luiz Abdalla
Dr. Rogério Martins Maurício
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- ruminant production
- sustainable development
- climate changes
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