Identifying the resource use and circularity in farm systems: Focus on the energy analysis of agroecosystems

Hercher-Pasteur, Jean; Loiseau, Eléonore; Sinfort, Carole; Hélias, Arnaud

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105502

Cited by 12 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…In such a system, the recycling of nutrients by using animal manures as fertilizer would also reduce the need for external inputs, thereby further reducing environmental impact and increasing profitability. This type of farm-agroecosystem circularity can also increase stability and resilience at the whole-farm scale [37].…”

Section: Implications For Incorporating Intermediate Wheatgrass Into ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Emergy evaluation is an environmental accounting system that compares the sustainability of production systems based on the embodied energy contained in inputs and thus contributed to the production of goods and services by the system [36]. The emergy method goes even further than energy analysis in accounting for indirect sources of energy by quantifying both the economic and environmental inputs to a production system, thereby emphasizing environmental impacts and the externalities that arise from overreliance on economic indicators [37]. By assessing IWG relative to other annual cropping systems using the various indicators that are generated by these multiple analyses, a more holistic view of the potential benefits and drawbacks of IWG production can be developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multi-Criteria Assessment of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability Characteristics of Intermediate Wheatgrass Grown as a Dual-Purpose Grain and Forage Crop

et al. 2022

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Kernza® intermediate wheatgrass [IWG; Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & Dewey] is a novel perennial cool-season grass that is being bred for use as a dual-purpose grain and forage crop. The environmental benefits of perennial agriculture have motivated the development of IWG cropping systems and markets for perennial grain food products made with Kernza, but the economic viability and environmental impact of IWG remain uncertain. In this study, we compared three-year cycles of five organic grain production systems: an IWG monoculture, IWG intercropped with medium red clover, a continuous winter wheat monoculture, a wheat–red clover intercrop, and a corn–soybean–spelt rotation. Economic and environmental impacts of each cropping system were assessed using enterprise budgets, energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and emergy indices as indicators. Grain and biomass yields and values for production inputs used in these analyses were obtained from experimental data and management records from two separate field experiments conducted in New York State, USA. Grain yield of IWG averaged 478 kg ha−1 yr−1 over three years, equaling approximately 17% of winter wheat grain yield (2807 kg ha−1 yr−1) over the same period. In contrast, total forage harvested averaged 6438 kg ha−1 yr−1 from the IWG systems, approximately 160% that of the wheat systems (4024 kg ha−1 yr−1). Low grain yield of IWG greatly impacted economic indicators, with break-even farm gate prices for Kernza grain calculated to be 23% greater than the current price of organic winter wheat in New York. Energy use and GHG emissions from the IWG systems were similar to the annual systems when allocated per hectare of production area but were much greater when allocated per kg of grain produced and much lower when allocated per kg of biomass harvested inclusive of hay and straw. Emergy sustainability indices were favorable for the IWG systems due to lower estimated soil erosion and fewer external inputs over the three-year crop cycle. The results show that the sustainability of IWG production is highly dependent on how the hay or straw co-product is used and the extent to which external inputs can be substituted with locally available renewable resources. Integrated crop–livestock systems appear to be a viable scenario for the adoption of IWG as a dual-use perennial grain and forage crop.

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Section: Implications For Incorporating Intermediate Wheatgrass Into ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Criteria Assessment of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability Characteristics of Intermediate Wheatgrass Grown as a Dual-Purpose Grain and Forage Crop

et al. 2022

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“…Agroecological management-based crop and animal diversification reduces the economic risk and uncertainty associated with pest and disease outbreaks and declining prices of agricultural produce (Garrett et al, 2020). Therefore, an integrated farming system with diverse forms of production is characterized by the integration and recycling of various on-farm components to enhance the economic benefits and self-sufficiency in resource utilization (Garrett et al, 2020;Hercher-Pasteur et al, 2021). The intricacies of resource use in sustainable agricultural initiatives in poor nations differ from those in developed countries.…”

Section: Agricultural Intensification: Applications Of Sustainability...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroecological techniques: adoption of safe and sustainable agricultural practices among the smallholder farmers in Africa

Akanmu

Akol

Ndolo

et al. 2023

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Attaining sufficiency in food supply to support a growing population without compromising ecosystem functioning remains a top agenda of researchers and agricultural stakeholders. Agroecological farming approaches are effective techniques that ensure sustainable food production even in adverse situations. Population growth has been forecasted to reach over 9.1 billion by 2050 outpacing food production. However, cereals and grain legumes are strategic to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030 (SDG 2), ending extreme poverty (SDG 1), and mitigating the climate change effect (SDG 13). There remains an urgent need to embrace more sustainable measures to increase food production for the growing population. This review explores the role of agroecology which employs a transdisciplinary approach to sustainable agricultural practices to improve the resilience of farming systems by increasing diversification through poly-cropping, agroforestry, use of local varieties, and integrated crop and livestock systems. Furthermore, the agroecological farming approach minimizes water use, lowers pollution levels on the farm, and ensures economic profitability for the farmers. Thus, application of agroecology techniques among the smallholder farmers is strategic to ensuring food security.

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Organic management of cattle and pigs in Mediterranean systems: energy efficiency and ecosystem services

Ramos-García

Guzmán

Molina

2022

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

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Identifying the resource use and circularity in farm systems: Focus on the energy analysis of agroecosystems

Cited by 12 publications

References 49 publications

Multi-Criteria Assessment of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability Characteristics of Intermediate Wheatgrass Grown as a Dual-Purpose Grain and Forage Crop

Multi-Criteria Assessment of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability Characteristics of Intermediate Wheatgrass Grown as a Dual-Purpose Grain and Forage Crop

Agroecological techniques: adoption of safe and sustainable agricultural practices among the smallholder farmers in Africa

Organic management of cattle and pigs in Mediterranean systems: energy efficiency and ecosystem services

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