ARS | Publication request: Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems in Nonirrigated, Semiarid and Subhumid Envrionments

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: August 9, 2005
Publication Date: November 6, 2005
Citation: Entz, M.H., Carr, P.M., Francis, C., Tanaka, D.L. 2005. Integrated crop-livestock systems in nonirrigated, semiarid and subhumid envrionments. No. 145-5 IN:ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts CD-ROM. November 6-10, 2005. Salt Lake City, UT. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, WI.

Technical Abstract: Crop-livestock integration holds much promise in the dryland production regions around the world; however, much previous research has focused on individual components of crop and livestock systems. During the past 15 years, several Northern Great Plains research institutions have established integrated studies to: 1) investigate synergies of integrated crop-livestock production systems and 2) refine management of integrated systems. Integration is being investigated at both local (on-farm) and regional (area-wide integration) levels. We will highlight results from these in US and Canadian studies. Two clear benefits of integration over specialization (cops and livestock production in isolation of each other) are improved fossil fuel energy ue efficiency and improved environmental quality. In one 12 year study, energy efficiency was up to 50% greater in integrated vs. gain-based systems. Higher energy efficiency was attributed to lower energy input n the integrated system with no change in energy output. We will present highlights of research designs and approaches used for conducting integrated crop-livestock studies, and will address unique challenges of these experiments.