Is crossbreeding of cattle beneficial for the environment? The case of mixed farming systems in Central Java, Indonesia
| Main Author: | Widi, T.S. Mastuti |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article PeerReviewed application/pdf |
| Bahasa: | eng |
| Terbitan: |
Cambridge
, 2015
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://repository.ugm.ac.id/273122/1/angr%20vol%2057%202015.pdf https://repository.ugm.ac.id/273122/ https://doi.org/10.1017/S2078633615000259 |
Daftar Isi:
- Crossbreeding with European beef breeds has become a standard approach for the intensification of smallholder cattle production in Indonesia. It is often suggested that intensification will mitigate the negative environmental impact of livestock. However little is known about the environmental impact of the intensification of cattle keeping in a smallholder setting. This study assessed the environmental impact of crossbreeding, in terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP) and land use. We sampled 90 local Ongole and 162 crossbred cattle farms in four study areas representing three agro-ecological zones: Wet lowlands (subdivided into two areas, Wet uplands and Dry uplands. Expressed per kilogram of live weight of young stock produced, GWP (26.9 kg CO2–equivalents) and land use (34.2 m2) of Ongole cattle were not significantly different from the GWP (28.9 kg CO2–equivalents)and land use (37.4 m2) of crossbred cattle. Crossbred young stock grew faster, but in general crossbred cattle required more feed. GWP per kilogram of live weight produced was highest in the Dry uplands; this area had different forage feeding practices (more native grasses and dry forages were fed than in the other areas) and higher emissions due to transportation of forages than other areas. Land use per kilogram of live weight tended to be higher in the Wet lowlands I and Wet uplands, the two most fertile areas, than in the other two areas, as more local fresh forages were fed in these areas. In the current smallholder production system, the dominant crossbreeding practice of using Simmental semen on Ongole and F1 crossbred cows does not result in lower greenhouse gas emissions or land use per kilogram of live weight produced compared to farms with Ongole cows. The advantage from the faster growth of crossbreds is counteracted by the higher emissions from feed production for crossbreds. Keywords: Crossbreeding, Mixed farming systems, Ongole, Simmental, Life Cycle Assessment, Multi-functionality, Indonesia