Energy scarcity and rising cost: Towards a paradigm shift for livestock. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Benoit, Marc; Mottet, Anne
• Is Part Of: Agricultural systems. Volume 205(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Competitiveness -- Efficiency -- Diet -- Animal feeding -- Services -- Public policies; Agricultural systems -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 338.16
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103585
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-521X

Abstract

Abstract: The current global energy scarcity is leading to a sharp increase in its price and indirectly in the price of feed. Therefore, the large part of animal production that relies on cereals, pulses and cultivated forage will experience a sharp loss of competitiveness. The low energy efficiency of animals makes these arable land-based (ALB) livestock systems very vulnerable to the current energy crisis. The increase in production costs could lead to a sharp rise in the price of animal products. If entirely reflected in product prices, this increase in production costs would lead to a significant drop in consumption in the context of reduced purchasing power. Therefore, the risk of a drop in income for farmers is real. To avoid this scenario, we proposed that two consequences seem unavoidable for livestock farming systems: i) the reduction of arable land dedicated to the production of animal feed, as other markets will be more profitable, and ii) a switch to feeding strategies based on low opportunity land and raw materials from which livestock production is most likely to benefit, i.e., low-quality resources that are difficult to harvest. This would result in a reduction in animal numbers and a redistribution of livestock in agricultural landscapes, a change in the types and traits of farm animals, an adaptation of supply chains and a rebalancing of diets. Such an evolution of livestock farming should also respond to other major challenges, such as climate change and feeding humanity. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: In many countries, animal feeding strategies make livestock production very dependent on energy resources Energy efficiency is less than 1 for livestock, which makes the sector very sensitive to energy prices Livestock systems will lose competitiveness for the use of arable land, leading to rethinking their future Limiting the competition for arable land would lead to livestock spatial redistribution and changes in feeding strategies Livestock farming adaptation can be antagonistic to the agricultural supply chains strategy and require new animal features