sustainability in cattle production

Susquehanna County EnvirothonStation Training

Current Issue: Sustainable Agriculture

Locally Grown

Key Topics1. Understanding the three pillars of

sustainable agriculture and the indicators of sustainable farming.

2. Understanding how ecosystems function and the services they provide. Good soil health is the foundation of a healthy ecosystem.

Key Topics Continued 3. How sustainable farming practices enhance

and protect soil health, water quality and water quantity, biodiversity, manage insect pests, disease, and weeds.

4. The importance of local and regional foods systems to sustainable agriculture.

Key Topic:

1. Understanding the three pillars of sustainable agriculture and the indicators of sustainable farming.

What is Sustainable Agriculture?• Sustainable agriculture integrates three main

goals:– environmental health – (ENVIRONMENT)– economic profitability – (ECONOMIC)– social and economic equity – (COMMUNITY)

• The word “sustainable” comes from the word “sustain” which means to maintain, support, or to endure.

The Three Legs of Sustainability

Grass-Fed Beef Production

Grass-Fed Beef Production

Photo credits: Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)

Key Topic:

2. Understanding how ecosystems function and the services they provide. Good soil health is the foundation of a healthy ecosystem.

Agro-ecosystems• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals

and microbes) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. As ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their environment.

• “Agro” refers to agricultural production. High Ag production relies heavily on the quality of a soil ecosystem.

• The quality of a soil eco-system can directly effect crop production and livestock production.

It begins with the soil!

Key Topic:

3. How sustainable farming practices enhance and protect soil health, water quality and water quantity, biodiversity, manage insect pests, disease, and weeds.

• Sustainable agriculture is the act of farming using principles of ecology. Ecology is defined as the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. An ecosystem exemplifies the study of ecology.

• Sustainable Ag farming principles– No-till planting is a way of growing crops from year to year without

disturbing the soil through tillage. – Rotational grazing: The length of time a paddock is grazed will

depend on the size of the herd and the size of the paddock. Resting grazed lands allows the vegetation to renew energy reserves, rebuild shoot systems, and deepen root systems, with the result being long-term maximum biomass production• Intensive rotational grazing is a variety of systems where herds

and/or flocks are regularly and systematically moved to fresh rested areas with the intent to maximize the quality and quantity of forage growth

Sustainability

• Vs. Common (Less Sustainable) Farming practices– Plowing and tillage planting- is the agricultural preparation of soil by

mechanical agitation of various types, such as digging, stirring, plowing and overturning.

– Conventional/Continuous Grazing- is where herds and/or flocks graze one large area of pasture, picking grasses that are most palatable and not allowing plants to rejuvenate themselves for sustainable growth.

• Confined Feeding Operations (Factory Farming) - involves raising livestock in confinement at high stocking density, where a farm operates as a business. Confinement at high stocking density is one part of a systematic effort to produce the highest output at the lowest cost by relying on economies of scale, modern machinery, biotechnology, and global trade. Confinement at high stocking density requires antibiotics and pesticides to mitigate the spread of disease and pestilence exacerbated by these crowded living conditions

Sustainability

Plowing and tillage planting No-till planting

Rotational Grazing

High Density Farm Operations

Why are these Ag practices more sustainable than others?

No-till:– reduces the risk of erosion during rain storms – reduces labor, fuel costs, irrigation and machinery wear and tear. – increases yield because of higher water infiltration and storage

capacity.– Overall no-till farming can be more profitable, conserve soil nutrients

increasing soil quality and sustaining seasonal and annual plant growth. – Increases the amount of soil left intact and crop residue is left on the

field. Soil layers are conserved in their natural state. – more beneficial insects, a higher microbial content, and a greater

amount of soil organic material. – No-till increases the amount and variety of wildlife. This is the result of

improved cover, reduced foot traffic and the reduced chance of destroying ground nesting birds and animals.

Sustainability

Cover Crops• Slow erosion• Improve soil• Smother weeds• Enhance nutrient and moisture availability

• Rotational/intensive Grazing (environmental and agricultural benefits)– Provides a permanent vegetative cover which reduces

erosion from wind and water because the soil is never left exposed

– Reduces hoof and leg problems, which seem to be accentuated by prolonged time spent on concrete floors

– physical strength of the cows has improved because the cattle receive a lot more exercise

– production increase because of good grass production and the improvement of the overall health of the animal

– Increase of grass and legume productionOverall nutrient laden grass produces healthy livestock, healthy livestock leads to wealthy production rates

Sustainability

• An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (farm plants and animals) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (the mineral soil component), interacting as a system.

• As ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their environment. (Cause and effects)

• Agro refers to agricultural production. – Plants

• Crop plants such as corn and hay• Pasture plants such as grasses, legumes

– Animals• Livestock

– Production from that livestock

It begins with the soil!

In Summary

Key Topic:

4. The importance of local and regional foods systems to sustainable agriculture.

Why Locally Grown?• People worldwide are rediscovering the

benefits of buying local food. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and that means it is tastier and more nutritious. It is also good for your local economy--buying directly from family farmers helps them stay in business. – source: www.localharvest.org

Local Foods Marketing Campaigns

People Value Knowing Where Their Food Comes From

PA Preferred

PA Preferred was created to ensure that Pennsylvanians are supporting fellow Pennsylvanians, our neighbors, friends, family. By purchasing products made in PA you are making a difference by restoring pride in our homegrown products and helping our economy.

Made in PA. It makes a difference.

Loch’s Maple, Springville

Rowlands Pennsylvania ProduceFalls, Wyoming County

LeRaysville Cheese FactoryLeRaysville, Bradford County

Lang’s Chocolates, Williamsport

Organic Farming• USDA defines organic agriculture as…

“A production system that is managed to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.”

More specifically:• Uses cover crops, green manures, animal

manures, crop rotations to fertilize the soil.• Use of biological control, crop rotations to

manage weeds, insects and disease• Emphasis on biodiversity of agricultural

system and surrounding area• Use of rotational grazing and mixed forage

pastures for livestock operations and alternative health care for animal well-being

Continued…• Reduction of external and off farm inputs and

elimination of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and other material such as hormones and antibiotics.

• A focus on renewable resources, soil and water conservation, and management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological balance.

“Back to the Start”

Questions?