The Use of Temperate Tannin Containing Forage Legumes to Improve Sustainability in Forage–Livestock Production

Greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant livestock production systems contribute significantly to the environmental footprint of agriculture. Emissions are lower for feedlot than grass-based primarily because extra time required grass-finished cattle reach slaughter weight. In contrast, legume forages greater quality grasses, which enhances intake and food conversion efficiencies, leading improvements in reductions impacts compared with forage grasses. addition, presence certain bioactives legumes such as condensed tannins (CT) enhance efficiency energy protein use ruminants relative grasses other feeds forages. Grazing tannin-containing also reduce incidence bloat improve meat quality. Synergies among nutrients when animals graze diverse pastures have potential these benefits. Thus, a diversity feeding may lead more economically, environmentally, socially sustainable beef grass monocultures or rations.