Life cycle assessment of beef cattle production in two typical grassland systems of southern Brazil

摘要: Abstract The importance of animal production in the overall context human activity is undisputed and influences food supply, job security, income producing, as well landscape local ecosystems conservation. This relevance enhances charges by society environmental impacts various activities, especially relation to ruminant amid current problems climate changes. In this context, we analyzed main two typical beef cattle systems from southern Brazil, namely extensive system (ES) improved (IS), identified components that have greatest using life cycle assessment method. basis construction was a herd originated 100 weaned heifers, four calves, progeny these during their productive (12 years), land areas, external inputs, other natural resources technologies necessary operations. functional unit 1 kg live weight. values greenhouse gas emissions, use, freshwater depletion ES were higher compared with those obtained for IS (22.52 9.16 kg CO 2 equivalents; 234.78 21.03 m a; 0.217 0.0949 m 3 , respectively). These variations attributed permanence time animals each quality pastures. presented lower potential than on metal soil acidification (0.000519 0.0536 kg Fe 0.0028 0.0038 kg SO equivalents, respectively) mainly due pasture improvement practices salt supply animals. Moreover, eutrophication fossil (0.00383 0.00219 kg P equivalents 0.0042 and −0.1255 kg oil While nutrient loss runoff leaching defined eutrophication, introduction legumes compensates use fuels. diversity results provides better understanding different regional singularities.