Influence of climate variability and stocking strategies on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), production and profit of a northern Queensland beef cattle herd

Abstract

Previous studies of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) from beef production systems in northern Australia have been based on models of 'steady-state' herd structures that do not take into account the considerable inter-annual variation in liveweight gain, reproduction and mortality rates that occurs due to seasonal conditions. Nor do they consider the implications of flexible stocking strategies designed to adapt these production systems to the highly variable climate. The aim of the present study was to quantify the variation in total GHGE (t CO2 e) and GHGE intensity (t CO2 e/t liveweight sold) for the beef industry in northern Australia when variability in these factors was considered. A com..