Livestock RSC+ (News, Blogs, Articles)

CARBON POSITIVE (C+) IN LIVESTOCK FARMING

Is It Really Possible to Achieve This Goal?

The answer is definitely YES, it is possible to achieve Carbon Positive livestock farming.

This means that livestock production has the capacity to capture more greenhouse gases ($\text{GHG}$) than it emits (see more info on: What is Carbon Positive (C+)?).

Strategies for Achieving C+ in Livestock Farming

Various strategies exist to reach this objective in livestock production:

1. Integrating Trees into Livestock Systems

• Implement Silvopastoral Systems ($\text{SPS}$): Combine grazing with the planting of multi-purpose trees and forage shrubs in the same areas. The trees capture CO2​ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in their biomass. When grazing is managed correctly, it intensifies the sequestration of atmospheric carbon, which is used for the production of glucose and, consequently, structural and non-structural carbohydrates. Pastures and forages (legumes, grasses, and other species in the grazing fields) incorporate Soil Organic Carbon ($\text{SOC}$) through rhizodeposition (exchanges between the plants and the soil).

• Implement Agroforestry Systems: Combine crops, trees, and livestock (iLFP from the Portuguese acronym for Integrated Livestock, Forestry, and Agriculture). The trees provide shade and many other benefits, improving soil quality in addition to sequestering carbon. The agricultural crops and pastures provide food for humans and animals, and agricultural and livestock waste can be recycled as organic fertilizer for the crops and pastures.

2. Regenerative and Sustainable Management of Grazing Land Soil

• Permanent Pastures: Promote the growth of perennial grasses, which have a greater capacity to store carbon in the soil. At the same time, implement a regenerative, sustainable, and efficient grazing method that allows the pastures to be perennially productive, by applying the four universal laws of rational grazing management.

• Minimal or No-Tillage: Reduce or completely eliminate the removal and turning over of the soil with plows. Tilling promotes the deterioration of Soil Organic Carbon ($\text{SOC}$), and avoiding it prevents the release of stored carbon.

• Contribution of Organic Matter: Well-managed grazing, with high-density animal loads (controlled intensive grazing methods such as VRG/$\text{PRV}$ - Voisin Rational Grazing, $\text{HPG/PPH}$ - Holistic Planned Grazing, $\text{NSIG/PINS}$ - Non-Selective Intensive Grazing, UHDG/$\text{PUAD}$ - Ultra-High Density Grazing, TGP/$\text{PPT}$ - Total Grazing Program, or similar), provides a constant, sufficient, and effective supply of easily and quickly utilized organic waste (manure and urine from livestock) that is very well distributed in the soil. This triggers processes in which soil fauna transform the waste into humified and mineralized organic matter, and it stimulates rhizodeposition (the exchange of organic substances between the pasture plants and the soil through the root system). It can also be helpful to utilize all types of organic waste to produce compost (including livestock manure collected in barns or handling corrals) and use it as fertilizer to improve soil fertility and structure, thereby increasing its capacity for carbon sequestration.

3. Efficiency in Livestock Production

• Improve Livestock Genetics: Select animals that are more efficient at converting feed—primarily grass and forage—into meat or milk. This reduces methane emissions per unit of product.

• Optimize Feeding: Provide a balanced, high-quality diet that reduces the amount of wasted feed and the emissions associated with its production.

• Adequate Health Management: Prevent diseases and improve livestock health to decrease premature deaths. This also serves to maximize their productive and reproductive yields as much as possible, ensuring that $\text{GHG}$ emission rates are lower throughout their entire productive life cycle.

4. Bioenergy

• Harnessing Organic Waste: Transform manure and other waste into compost for fertilizing pastures and crops (as previously mentioned), and for the production of biogas or biofuels, thereby generating renewable energy and reducing methane emissions.

• Efficient Energy Use: Implement practices that reduce energy consumption in livestock operations, such as utilizing renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, etc.).

Important Considerations

It is important to highlight the following:

• Achieving Carbon Positive ($\text{C+}$) livestock farming requires a holistic approach that combines the strategies mentioned previously.

• The effectiveness of these strategies can vary depending on climatic conditions, soil type, the characteristics of the production system, and specific management practices.

• Carbon Positive ($\text{C+}$) livestock farming not only contributes to climate change mitigation but also offers additional benefits such as improved soil quality, biodiversity, and the economic resilience of producers.

Examples of Carbon Positive Livestock Farming

• Costa Rica: The country implemented a national Low-Carbon Livestock Strategy ($\text{NAMA}$) that includes the implementation of $\text{PRV}$ ($\text{Voisin Rational Grazing}$) as the core of the strategy. $\text{PRV}$ is the means to achieve regenerative and sustainable pasture management goals across all eight regions of the country and for all types of livestock operations. This includes integrating trees in living fences, forage banks, and pasture reforestation, along with managing manure (slurry) and other regenerative and sustainable soil management practices that collectively contribute to production efficiency, mitigation, and resilience against the effects of climate change, and the country's decarbonization goals for 2030 and 2050, among others. (Read: National Livestock Program of Costa Rica).

• Argentina: A study by $\text{INTA}$ (National Institute of Agricultural Technology) demonstrated that pastoral sheep systems in Argentina can be Carbon Positive, thanks to carbon capture in the pastures and appropriate soil management. (Read: Pastoral sheep systems have a positive carbon balance).

• Uruguay: Pilot projects for Carbon Positive livestock farming are being developed within the framework of the National Livestock, Agriculture, and Fishing Plan. The first sale of certified carbon-neutral beef was achieved in this country. (Read: Historic... Uruguay will export Carbon Neutral Beef).

How to Become a Carbon Positive ($\text{C+}$) Rancher/Producer

At PARTNER CEG, we work daily offering consulting/advisory services and training so that agro-producers like you can convert your production units (land dedicated to agricultural use combined with the conservation or restoration of forest and/or ecosystems) through regenerative, sustainable, and Carbon Positive ($\text{C+}$) agriculture and/or livestock practices.

We also formulate and/or develop, or co-develop in alliance with third parties, $\text{C+}$ agricultural projects. Since 2012, we have provided technology transfer through consultancies to public and private sector entities in countries such as Nicaragua (via the Inter-American Development Bank - $\text{IDB}$), Costa Rica (via the United Nations Development Programme - $\text{UNDP}$), Ecuador (via the Decentralized Autonomous Government -$\text{GAD}$- of Limón Indanza), Mexico (via the Regional Livestock Union of Northern Veracruz -$\text{URGNV}$- and the Agricultural Trust Funds -$\text{FIRA-}$), and Honduras (via the $\text{NGO}$ Heifer International), among others. $\gg$ View More Information on Projects

We work directly with individual ranchers who seek our training and personalized advisory services on implementing Regenerative Livestock Farming using Voisin Rational Grazing ($\text{PRV}$) technology, either in-person (when possible) or remotely.

We are currently allied with the Verra ID3927 Carbon Credits Project for Regenerative and Sustainable Livestock in Colombia (called "Carbono Vivo" project), led by the consultancy Carbono Local + (from Germany). $\gg$ Learn More About This Project

If you are an agro-producer or rancher and wish to transform your land into $\text{C+}$ Productive Ecosystems, and to learn about our Catalog of Services for direct and personalized advice, contact us via WhatsApp: Send a Message Now.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Carbon Positive ($\text{C+}$) livestock farming is a viable path to making meat, milk, and cattle production more sustainable and contributing to the fight against climate change. The implementation of these practices requires investment, training, and technical support for producers, but the environmental, economic, and social benefits are substantial. At PARTNER CEG, we help you achieve it! Contact us.