Optimising Livestock Performance

Efficient management of livestock and their manures can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve farm profitability.

  • Record and review livestock performance – look at key performance indicators e.g. daily liveweight gain, age of first calving, weaning percentage, days in milk, mortality rates etc.A field of mixed livestock with sheep and beef animals grazing together.
  • Draw up and regularly review animal health plans for all livestock
  • Increase longevity of breeding stock; look for a high output per breeding unit
  • Improve efficiency of feed conversion; achieve optimum daily liveweight gains
  • Increase efficiency gains in livestock fertility
  • Where possible cover and aerate slurry and manure during storage
  • Consider on-farm anaerobic digestion of manures and slurries from all livestock

Farmer example:

By making good quality silage and knowing feed value, Ross Paton at Torr Farm was able to reduce 1kg concentrates per dairy cow per day over the housed period. Over a typical winter this saved 32 tonnes of concentrates which would have cost the business £10,355 and reduced the farm carbon footprint.

Beef

Improving on-farm efficiencies strongly correlates with reduced production costs per kg of beef sold, increasing profitability for the farm business. Making better use of inputs and improving livestock productivity helps to reduce emissions.

Working Towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions: How do we reduce emissions from beef?

Dairy

Increasing production efficiency by producing more milk from fewer and more targeted inputs will lead to less carbon emissions per litre of milk output. There is also a corresponding reduction in the cost of production per litre of milk sold.

 

Working Towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions: How do we reduce emissions from dairy?

Sheep

Improving the efficiency and productivity of a flock, typically results in a better use of inputs, and less waste in the system.  The consequence of this is a higher level of profitability and a reduction of carbon emissions.

Working towards net zero carbon emissions: How do we reduce emissions from sheep?

Grassland management

Evidence from the Climate Change Focus Farms suggests that the introduction of a structured grassland management policy on the farm will maximise its production efficiency whilst maintaining the important role of grassland in carbon storage.

Working Towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions: Improving grass growth

Related resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe and stay up to date with our latest news & resources.