Integrating the pastoral component in agricultural systems

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the impact of the introduction of pastures and grazing animals in agricultural systems. For the purposes of this manuscript, we focus on within-farm integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS), typical of Southern Brazil. These ICLS are designed to create and enhance the synergisms and emergent properties have arisen from agricultural areas where livestock activities are integrated with crops. We show that the introduction of the crop component will affect less the preceding condition than the introduction of the livestock component. While the introduction of crops in pastoral systems represents increasing diversity of the plant component, the introduction of animals would represent the entry of new flows and interactions within the system. Thus, given the new complexity levels achieved from the introduction of grazing, the probability of arising emergent properties is theoretically much higher. However, grazing management is vital in determining the success or failure of such initiative. The grazing intensity practiced during the pasture phase would affect the canopy structure and the forage availability to animals. In adequate and moderate grazing intensities, it is possible to affirm that livestock combined with crops (ICLS) has a potential positive impact. As important as the improvements that grazing animals can generate to the soil-plant components, the economic resilience remarkably increases when pasture rotations are introduced compared with purely agriculture systems, particularly in climate-risk situations. Thus, the integration of the pastoral component can enhance the sustainable intensification of food production, but it modifies simple, pure agricultural systems into more complex and knowledge-demanding production systems.

Animal production and soil characteristics from integrated crop-livestock systems: toward sustainable intensification

“…When cover crops are grazed, subsequent crop yields increase by 3.4%, 4.7%, 10.4%, and 10.8% for soybean, bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), irrigated rice (Oryze sativa), and maize, respectively. This result contradicts the prevailing paradigm and shows that concerns about detrimental effects of grazing animals on system function do not hold when moderate grazing intensities and conservation agricultural practices are respected (Carvalho et al, 2018).…”

“…In southern Brazilian ICLS, crops following grazed cover crops tend to yield more than ungrazed control areas ( Fig. 6; Carvalho et al, 2018). When cover crops are grazed, subsequent crop yields increase by 3.4%, 4.7%, 10.4%, and 10.8% for soybean, bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), irrigated rice (Oryze sativa), and maize, respectively.…”

Effects of trees and nitrogen supply on macronutrient cycling in integrated crop–livestock systems

“…Integrated crop–livestock systems are particularly important in Brazil, because many pastures are degraded (Silva et al., 2017). Furthermore, in the Brazilian subtropics, ICLS can diversify income (Carvalho et al., 2018). In addition to the diversification of the producer's income sources, the ICLS can improve soil fertility, nutrient cycling, water quality, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation (Assmann et al., 2014; Carvalho et al., 2010; Franzluebbers, Sawchik, & Taboada, 2014).…”

Managing grazing intensity to reduce the global warming potential in integrated crop–livestock systems under no‐till agriculture

“…Production is no longer the sole objective of farming systems and environmental regulations are becoming a crucial component of production systems and trade markets in response to the new requirements of the general public. The recent concern over environmental quality has generated interest in integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLs), primarily because they provide opportunities for rotation diversification, nutrient recycling, more efficient energy use, maximization of farmland use, and increased crop yields and environmental quality (Carvalho et al, 2010, 2018; Entz, Bellotti, & Powell, 2005; Franzluebbers & Stuedemann, 2014).…”

“…Integrated crop–livestock systems have been increasingly adopted and their success has grown mainly thanks to the ability to adjust grazing intensity or forage allowance through stocking rates (Carvalho et al, 2018). Farmers usually overstock rangelands in their attempts to maximize harvesting efficiency, thereby causing overgrazing as a side effect.…”