Effect of Grazing Intensity on Beef Cattle Performance and Predicted Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract

A whole farm model, Holos, was used to predict the effects of intensity of rotational grazing on animal performance, soil carbon sequestration, and net carbon equivalence for three seasons (2019-2021). An experiment was conducted on naturalized perennial pasture divided into 12 paddocks (0.8ha), with four replications of three grazing intensity treatments. Dry matter intake (DMI) was measured with three methods. Grazing intensity did not affect animal gain. High grazing intensity had higher DMI determined by pre- and post-grazing samples. Soil organic carbon (SOC) under high grazing intensity exceeded total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Pasture had higher SOC than the typical cropping system. Increased grazing intensity may enhance soil carbon sequestration to offset GHG emissions from grazing beef without decreasing animal performance. Naturalized perennial pasture in the Canadian Maritimes can maintain a higher SOC compared with typical cropping, with implications for farmers wanting to increase their SOC and improve soil health.