Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.

ABSTRACT.- Cow-calf systems grazing native grasslands must transition toward improved economic performance simultaneously with the conservation and improvement of ecosystem services they provide. We present an innovation model with this objective based on a hierarchical model that links functional r...

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Main Author: SOCA, P. (author)
Other Authors: DO CARMO, M. (author), PAPARAMBORDA, I. (author), FIGUEROA, V. (author), SCARLATO, S. (author), RUGGIA, A. (author), DOGLIOTTI, S. (author), CLARAMUNT, M. (author)
Format: article
Language:English
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ainfo.inia.uy/consulta/busca?b=pc&id=65054&biblioteca=vazio&busca=65054&qFacets=65054
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author SOCA, P.
author2 DO CARMO, M.
PAPARAMBORDA, I.
FIGUEROA, V.
SCARLATO, S.
RUGGIA, A.
DOGLIOTTI, S.
CLARAMUNT, M.
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author_browse CLARAMUNT, M.
DO CARMO, M.
DOGLIOTTI, S.
FIGUEROA, V.
PAPARAMBORDA, I.
RUGGIA, A.
SCARLATO, S.
SOCA, P.
author_facet SOCA, P.
DO CARMO, M.
PAPARAMBORDA, I.
FIGUEROA, V.
SCARLATO, S.
RUGGIA, A.
DOGLIOTTI, S.
CLARAMUNT, M.
author_role author
collection AINFO
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv SOCA, P.
DO CARMO, M.
PAPARAMBORDA, I.
FIGUEROA, V.
SCARLATO, S.
RUGGIA, A.
DOGLIOTTI, S.
CLARAMUNT, M.
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-06-23T18:47:14Z
2025-06-23T18:47:14Z
2025
2025-06-23T18:47:14Z
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv https://ainfo.inia.uy/consulta/busca?b=pc&id=65054&biblioteca=vazio&busca=65054&qFacets=65054
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv en
eng
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Acceso abierto
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:AINFO
instname:Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria
instacron:Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Beef cows
Ecological intensification
Herbage allowance
Innovation
Native grassland
ÁREA DE PRODUCCIÓN FAMILIAR - INIA
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Article
PublishedVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
description ABSTRACT.- Cow-calf systems grazing native grasslands must transition toward improved economic performance simultaneously with the conservation and improvement of ecosystem services they provide. We present an innovation model with this objective based on a hierarchical model that links functional relationships between state variables, grazing experiments and its validation, and co-innovation at the farm level. This paper describes the hypotheses, designs, and results of the studies, and the role of grazing ecology and herbivore nutrition to support the process of ecological intensification of livestock systems on native grasslands. The model consists of records analysis, grazing experiments, employment of econometric and simulation models, and proposal of validation and co-innovation studies in production systems. Analysis of records could identify forage height and cow body condition score at calving as state variables and their relationship with pregnancy rates. Grazing experiments were designed to identify seasonal levels of state variables, and a management model was proposed to enhance cow-calf performance. The next stage examined the effects of Forage Allowance (FA) levels (Low [3] vs High [5] kg DM/kg BW) on state variables, main ecosystem processes, and beef production per cow and hectare. High FA increases forage production, forage intake, and energy use efficiency of cows, which explains the 30-50% improvements in meat production per hectare. The increase in FA was associated with improved forage structure, cow DM intake, and levels of metabolic hormones. A validation of the management proposal and ?optimal? FA coefficients from analytical research confirmed improvements in productive and economic commercial systems results. Co-innovation on 60 livestock farms led to better economic results through increased meat production per hectare without elevating production costs. This adjustment, along with a small reduction in stocking rate, helps account for the reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions per product unit. The innovation platform promotes a hierarchical model linking Grazing Ecology and Herbivore Nutrition and contributes to improving the sustainability of livestock systems on native grasslands. © 2024 The Authors
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
format article
id anni_aeedfb7fe7ce2a57b3e8da0c4d90f1db
instacron_str Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria
institution Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria
instname_str Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria
language eng
language_invalid_str_mv en
network_acronym_str anni
network_name_str oai-lr-anni
oai_identifier_str oai:redi.anii.org.uy:20.500.12381/4994
publishDate 2025
publishDateSort 2025
reponame_str AINFO
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rights_invalid_str_mv Acceso abierto
spelling Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.SOCA, P.DO CARMO, M.PAPARAMBORDA, I.FIGUEROA, V.SCARLATO, S.RUGGIA, A.DOGLIOTTI, S.CLARAMUNT, M.Beef cowsEcological intensificationHerbage allowanceInnovationNative grasslandÁREA DE PRODUCCIÓN FAMILIAR - INIAABSTRACT.- Cow-calf systems grazing native grasslands must transition toward improved economic performance simultaneously with the conservation and improvement of ecosystem services they provide. We present an innovation model with this objective based on a hierarchical model that links functional relationships between state variables, grazing experiments and its validation, and co-innovation at the farm level. This paper describes the hypotheses, designs, and results of the studies, and the role of grazing ecology and herbivore nutrition to support the process of ecological intensification of livestock systems on native grasslands. The model consists of records analysis, grazing experiments, employment of econometric and simulation models, and proposal of validation and co-innovation studies in production systems. Analysis of records could identify forage height and cow body condition score at calving as state variables and their relationship with pregnancy rates. Grazing experiments were designed to identify seasonal levels of state variables, and a management model was proposed to enhance cow-calf performance. The next stage examined the effects of Forage Allowance (FA) levels (Low [3] vs High [5] kg DM/kg BW) on state variables, main ecosystem processes, and beef production per cow and hectare. High FA increases forage production, forage intake, and energy use efficiency of cows, which explains the 30-50% improvements in meat production per hectare. The increase in FA was associated with improved forage structure, cow DM intake, and levels of metabolic hormones. A validation of the management proposal and ?optimal? FA coefficients from analytical research confirmed improvements in productive and economic commercial systems results. Co-innovation on 60 livestock farms led to better economic results through increased meat production per hectare without elevating production costs. This adjustment, along with a small reduction in stocking rate, helps account for the reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions per product unit. The innovation platform promotes a hierarchical model linking Grazing Ecology and Herbivore Nutrition and contributes to improving the sustainability of livestock systems on native grasslands. © 2024 The Authors2025-06-23T18:47:14Z2025-06-23T18:47:14Z20252025-06-23T18:47:14ZArticlePublishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttps://ainfo.inia.uy/consulta/busca?b=pc&id=65054&biblioteca=vazio&busca=65054&qFacets=65054reponame:AINFOinstname:Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuariainstacron:Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuariaenenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAcceso abiertooai:redi.anii.org.uy:20.500.12381/49942026-02-10T17:37:20Z
spellingShingle Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
SOCA, P.
Beef cows
Ecological intensification
Herbage allowance
Innovation
Native grassland
ÁREA DE PRODUCCIÓN FAMILIAR - INIA
status_str publishedVersion
title Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
title_full Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
title_fullStr Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
title_full_unstemmed Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
title_short Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
title_sort Review: A hierarchical research model to foster dialog between grazing ecology and beef cow energetics to support ecological intensification of native grassland.
topic Beef cows
Ecological intensification
Herbage allowance
Innovation
Native grassland
ÁREA DE PRODUCCIÓN FAMILIAR - INIA
url https://ainfo.inia.uy/consulta/busca?b=pc&id=65054&biblioteca=vazio&busca=65054&qFacets=65054