Management practices to improve the sustainability and profitability of cow-calf operations across Canada
| dc.contributor.author | Knodel, Aaron | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Grant, Brenna (Canfax Research Services) | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Brewin, Derek (Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics) | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Stephens, Emma (Animal Science) | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Ominski, Kim | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Alemu, Aklilu | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-01-15T20:37:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-01-15T20:37:46Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-01-03 | |
| dc.date.submitted | 2025-01-03T14:51:39Z | en_US |
| dc.degree.discipline | Animal Science | |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Science (M.Sc.) | |
| dc.description.abstract | Increasing demand for food with higher environmental standards is shaping agricultural activities toward more sustainable food systems. The objective of this research was to estimate whole-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while concurrently examining the profitability of cow-calf operations with varying management practices across Canada. Twenty-five benchmark farms with similar environmental conditions and production practices were developed using data from 115 cow-calf operations. Greenhouse gas emissions including methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were estimated using the Holos whole-farm model. Emission intensity was calculated as net GHG emissions (kg of CO2 equivalent) divided by total liveweight (LW, kg) sold. Farm emission intensity ranged between 18.3 and 35.1 kg CO2 equivalent/ kg LW. Both emissions and profitability varied widely across farms with those in the Western provinces reporting generally higher emission intensity, due to higher enteric CH4 emissions. Farms that utilized tame grass and legume species reported lower enteric CH4 emissions, while those that utilized extended grazing practices had lower manure CH4 emissions. Growing annual grain crops for export was associated with higher net farm incomes. Modelling of future farm scenarios was conducted to assess impact of changes in on-farm management practices including grazing standing corn, adoption of rotational grazing, use of artificial insemination, creep feeding, shortened calving intervals, and improved watering systems on GHG emissions and economic outcomes. The impact of the changes in management practices was not consistent across all farms, resulting in a small (0.004%) increase to 4% reduction in GHG emissions while improving whole farm net cash income by 3 to 41 % and cow-calf enterprise profitability by 2 to 130%. Therefore, consideration of existing farm practices and the local environment is essential when considering changes in management to improve economic sustainability and reduce GHG emissions. | |
| dc.description.note | February 2025 | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Canfax Research Services University of Manitoba | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/38824 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.subject | Sustainability | |
| dc.subject | Beef | |
| dc.subject | Profitability | |
| dc.subject | Canada | |
| dc.title | Management practices to improve the sustainability and profitability of cow-calf operations across Canada | |
| local.subject.manitoba | no |