Environmental assessment of livestock systems with the emergy methodology Efficiency of extensive livestock systems in harsh environments

Questioning this report, a recent study conducted by CIRAD in four different regions shows that extensive dairy systems in Mali can be more efficient than intensive systems in Reunion Island, and just as efficient as semi-intensive systems in western France. This result was obtained using the emergy methodology, which uses one type of unit to evaluate all the resources consumed to generate food or non-food products. This methodology takes into account the complex and multifunctional nature of livestock systems, especially extensive ones.