Effect of reduced age at first calving and an increased weaning rate on CO2 equivalent emissions in a cow-calf system

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact using technology reduce age at first calving (AFC; from 48 24 months) and increase weaning rate (WR; 60% 80%) in beef herds. need for pasture area (hectares) CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2eq.) animals present production system were analyzed. Data a livestock breeding used produce 400 male calves per year: System 1) reproductive biotechnology (fixed-time artificial insemination [FTAI] 2) without use (only natural mating). 1, which (FTAI; composed 1,540 AU hectares), presented lower AFC (24 months), higher WR (80%), CO2eq. year (2,311.3 tons). 2, did not employ (composed 2,475 [450 kg animals] on had highest (48 lowest (60%) emitted 3,714.5 tons year. reduction 1,403.3 that biotechnology, corresponding gains US$ 135,920.42 (US$ 96.86 ton CO2eq.). It is estimated adoption FTAI increases efficiency cow-calf operation system, can same number (400) 935 fewer hectares (-37.3%) with produced