Effect of Slaughter Age on Beef Cattle Environmental Efficiency

This research article investigates the environmental efficiency of beef cattle production in the marginal Alpine area of South Tyrol, Italy, focusing on the impact of slaughter age on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions. The study employs a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, analyzing 20 beef farms categorized by two slaughter ages: 12 months (SA12) and 24 months (SA24). It evaluates the global warming potential (GWP100), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP) associated with beef production. Results indicate that the SA12 system demonstrates a significantly lower environmental impact, with reductions in GWP100 of 8.5% and 7.4% for live weight and carcass weight, respectively, compared to the SA24 system. The research emphasizes the role of carbon sequestration by Alpine pastures in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and suggests that extensive production systems in mountainous regions can lead to a favorable environmental profile. The findings contribute to the understanding of sustainable beef production practices in alpine environments.