Reducing greenhouse gas emissions of New Zealand beef through better integration of dairy and beef production

Integrating dairy and beef production offers opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of production, which is dominated by related maintenance the breeding cow. This study aims quantify GHG reduction potential New Zealand (NZ) sector when replacing cows their calves with animals. To this end, we combined a cattle herd model NZ emission calculations production. We computed (to farm-gate stage) current amount produced, while increasing number at expense suckler-beef calves. were 29% lower per kg carcass weight for animals compared The average intensity decreased from 21.3 16.7 CO2e (−22%) as declined zero increased. would enable annual nearly 2000 kt (i.e. 22% total sector's emissions), improve social licence operate reducing surplus slaughtered 4-days old.