Work

Archetypes of cow-calf systems on Campos grasslands from an ecological intensification perspective, their productivity and trophic performance

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: CONTEXT Cow-calf systems on native grasslands dominate family farms in South America. Little is known about the diversity of the practices implemented by farmers and their relation to the productive outcomes achieved. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to classify Uruguayan cow-calf farm systems based on distinct combinations of strategic, tactical, and decision-supporting techniques and their productive results. METHODS We used two datasets combined with archetype and discriminant analyses. The first, more general dataset contained results from a representative survey of Uruguayan livestock farms. The second, highly detailed dataset included information on 28 family farms that had participated in a co-innovation project. The first dataset was used to elucidate archetypes. Next, each of the 28 farms were assigned to the archetypes using discriminant analysis. Finally, the archetypes were compared in terms of structural and functional variables. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Four archetypes (A1 to A4) of cow-calf systems emerged. A1 and A4 exhibited strongly contrasting levels of technique implementation, while A2 and A3 were intermediate. The archetype with the highest level of technique application (A1) achieved the best performance in beef production, weaning percentage, and weight of calves at weaning as well as in trophic and conversion efficiency. Surprisingly, no differences in above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) were detected, which questions the sensitivity of the widely used remote-sensing based indicator. The difference in productive performance between the archetypes represents a gap that can be closed by increasing the application of ecological intensification techniques. SIGNIFICANCE Our results indicate that knowledge and application of ecologically intensive management rather than farm resource endowment is the primary factor enabling productivity and trophic efficiency increases in cow-calf systems on the Pampas and Campos. The results call for investment in training and support of farmers, using a systems perspective.

Source: Agricultural Systems

DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104533

Authors: Ignacio Paparamborda, Walter A.H. Rossing, Pablo Soca, Santiago Dogliotti

Institutions: Universidad de la República de Uruguay, Wageningen University & Research

Language: English

Topic: Sustainable Agricultural Systems Analysis

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,000