This thesis studies the suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean region, focusing on feeding behaviour and environmental implications. The dissertation is divided into six sections, including Introduction, four chapters, and conclusion. The introduction section presents a general introduction to beef production in Sardinia and highlights suckler cow-calf operation systems. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive review of the existing research related to suckling behaviour in beef cattle under pastoral conditions. This review focuses on the factors affecting suckling behaviour and the methodologies employed to monitor this behaviour. In addition, this chapter highlights the challenges of assessing suckling behaviour and discusses the potential of remote monitoring devices. Chapter 2 presents behavioural monitoring data, such as grazing, ruminating, resting, and walking of grazing suckler cows. The results reveal the difference between the two groups of indigenous Sarda cows differing in the calving season in terms of time spent engaging in different behaviours. Chapter 3 focuses on the herbage intake, digestibility, and faecal output of the two groups of cows presented in Chapter 2. This chapter discusses the differences between the two groups in terms of herbage intake and digestibility, with a specific emphasis on the differences related to postpartum recovery which necessitates high energy consumption from the dam. Chapter 4 investigates the carbon footprint and effect of carbon sequestration in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions associated with the suckler cow-calf production system. This study estimates emissions from different sources, such as enteric methane, manure management, energy consumption, and feed production and purchasing. The results also demonstrate the capacity of carbon sequestration to mitigate emissions. Additionally, it highlights the importance of considering the environmental implications of production systems. This is in addition to the conclusion section, which is based on the findings of different studies. Overall, this thesis provides valuable insights into the suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean region in terms of the different behaviours of beef cattle in extensive systems and the environmental implications of these systems. It also highlights the need for further research to optimise the production system and reduce its environmental impact.
This thesis studies the suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean region, focusing on feeding behaviour and environmental implications. The dissertation is divided into six sections, including Introduction, four chapters, and conclusion. The introduction section presents a general introduction to beef production in Sardinia and highlights suckler cow-calf operation systems. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive review of the existing research related to suckling behaviour in beef cattle under pastoral conditions. This review focuses on the factors affecting suckling behaviour and the methodologies employed to monitor this behaviour. In addition, this chapter highlights the challenges of assessing suckling behaviour and discusses the potential of remote monitoring devices. Chapter 2 presents behavioural monitoring data, such as grazing, ruminating, resting, and walking of grazing suckler cows. The results reveal the difference between the two groups of indigenous Sarda cows differing in the calving season in terms of time spent engaging in different behaviours. Chapter 3 focuses on the herbage intake, digestibility, and faecal output of the two groups of cows presented in Chapter 2. This chapter discusses the differences between the two groups in terms of herbage intake and digestibility, with a specific emphasis on the differences related to postpartum recovery which necessitates high energy consumption from the dam. Chapter 4 investigates the carbon footprint and effect of carbon sequestration in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions associated with the suckler cow-calf production system. This study estimates emissions from different sources, such as enteric methane, manure management, energy consumption, and feed production and purchasing. The results also demonstrate the capacity of carbon sequestration to mitigate emissions. Additionally, it highlights the importance of considering the environmental implications of production systems. This is in addition to the conclusion section, which is based on the findings of different studies. Overall, this thesis provides valuable insights into the suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean region in terms of the different behaviours of beef cattle in extensive systems and the environmental implications of these systems. It also highlights the need for further research to optimise the production system and reduce its environmental impact.
Suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean: feeding behaviour and environmental implications / Khater, Stephanie. - (2024 Nov 29).
Suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean: feeding behaviour and environmental implications
Khater, Stephanie
2024-11-29
Abstract
This thesis studies the suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean region, focusing on feeding behaviour and environmental implications. The dissertation is divided into six sections, including Introduction, four chapters, and conclusion. The introduction section presents a general introduction to beef production in Sardinia and highlights suckler cow-calf operation systems. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive review of the existing research related to suckling behaviour in beef cattle under pastoral conditions. This review focuses on the factors affecting suckling behaviour and the methodologies employed to monitor this behaviour. In addition, this chapter highlights the challenges of assessing suckling behaviour and discusses the potential of remote monitoring devices. Chapter 2 presents behavioural monitoring data, such as grazing, ruminating, resting, and walking of grazing suckler cows. The results reveal the difference between the two groups of indigenous Sarda cows differing in the calving season in terms of time spent engaging in different behaviours. Chapter 3 focuses on the herbage intake, digestibility, and faecal output of the two groups of cows presented in Chapter 2. This chapter discusses the differences between the two groups in terms of herbage intake and digestibility, with a specific emphasis on the differences related to postpartum recovery which necessitates high energy consumption from the dam. Chapter 4 investigates the carbon footprint and effect of carbon sequestration in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions associated with the suckler cow-calf production system. This study estimates emissions from different sources, such as enteric methane, manure management, energy consumption, and feed production and purchasing. The results also demonstrate the capacity of carbon sequestration to mitigate emissions. Additionally, it highlights the importance of considering the environmental implications of production systems. This is in addition to the conclusion section, which is based on the findings of different studies. Overall, this thesis provides valuable insights into the suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean region in terms of the different behaviours of beef cattle in extensive systems and the environmental implications of these systems. It also highlights the need for further research to optimise the production system and reduce its environmental impact.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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Thesis manuscript_Khater.pdf
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Descrizione: Suckler cow-calf production system in the Mediterranean: feeding behaviour and environmental implications
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Tesi di dottorato
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