Sustainable Practices for Forage-Based Livestock Production Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Since the late 1980s, there has been a growing body of literature focused on sustainable practices for forage-based (grazing) livestock production systems. This research is multi-faceted and complex because it seeks to identify solutions amid a unique confluence of challenges. Forage-based animal agriculture is the most land-intensive agricultural practice globally. Nevertheless, livestock raised on grasslands or fed harvested forages perform critical roles in ecosystem modification and can convert cellulose to protein, thus supporting human livelihoods (economically and nutritiously) and land management tenure. Globally, forage-based animal agriculture producers are threatened by climate change and a dwindling workforce, and consumers simultaneously demand more and healthier meat products that are ethically and environmentally sourced. Sustainable practices in forage-based livestock production systems are necessary if humans seek to improve animal welfare, increase meat quality and quantity, improve producer livelihoods, and enhance the ecosystem functioning of grazing lands, all while mitigating and adapting to climate change. The complexity of these combined topics is furthered by localized differences in grazing environments that render a one size-fits-all approach unattainable. Nevertheless, emerging strategies, such as matching animals to the environment, utilizing growth-promoting technology and novel feedstuffs, feeding animals in integrated systems, or incorporating precision agriculture tools, offer unique opportunities with which to fine-tune local-scale sustainability.

The aim of this Special Issue is to synthesize the vast research areas surrounding sustainable grazing land innovations and to highlight the most recent advances in the field. We believe that, although disparate, a consolidation of such work will lead to a better understanding of emerging trends, and areas of study that are limited in scope. We also hope that an analysis across topics will lead to innovative collaborative approaches with which to expedite sustainable grazing management in the face of such dire phenomena (e.g., climate change).

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: Precision agriculture as it relates to grazing animals; grazing animal welfare; grass production of ruminant livestock; novel feed strategies; native silvopasture; integration of crop residue or other integrated crop grazing practices; utilization of novel feedstuffs; the organic or natural grass-based finishing of ruminant livestock; the incorporation of heritage or adapted genetics; opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from grazing animal production; the adaptation of grazing livestock systems to emerging climate change trends; the interaction of livestock and pyrological phenomena; opportunities to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) among grazing land managers; strategies to improve the sustainability and resilience of grazing livestock financial systems; new or novel sales strategies for grass-based ruminant production; and tracing animal welfare through the supply chain.

Dr. Matthew M. McIntosh
Dr. Shelemia Nyamuryekung'e
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• sustainable grazing
• precision grazing
• integrated grazing
• welfare
• adapted genetics
• climate change adaptation
• farmer equity and resilience