March 2, 2010

Study finds Australia's red meat environmentally friendly

Australia's red meat industry produces less greenhouse gases than most other meat-producing countries, according to a new research.

A study conducted by the University of NSW for Meat and Livestock Australia claims Australia's red meat industry is far more environmentally friendly than many believe.

Lotfeeding cattle were also given the tick of approval after showing a smaller carbon footprint than grass.

Researcher Matthias Schulz said feed-efficiency and conversion of Australian cattle, coupled with superior pasture types aiding digestibility, mean grain-fed cattle on shorter programmes were better for the environment.

Grain-finished beef emitted 9.9kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of carcass weight produced, while pasture-finished beef emitted 12kg CO2e/kg carcass.

Australia performs better than most countries, though some nations' cattle have lower emission rates.

"One of the lowest results came from (Africa) where the cattle are left alone and about the only thing measured is the methane emissions," Schulz said.

At the other end of the scale was beef produced in Japan, fed imported grain on a longer feed program.

The study also champions the practice of lotfeeding cattle for beef production because of the lower carbon footprint for each kilogram produced.

"Grain-finished cattle have a more-efficient weight gain which completely offsets their higher individual carbon footprint," Schulz said. "The other main reason for the better greenhouse performance of grain-fed beef is the superior digestibility of the feed and the associated reduction in methane emissions."

The report has been welcomed by Australia's lotfeeding industry.

"The message is clear - by improving the efficiency of beef production (through increasing the proportion of feed energy that is converted to beef), lower methane emissions per unit of product are obtained," Australian Lot Feeders' Association president Jim Cudmore said.