Transformed Cattle Systems

An evidence review is required to assess emerging novel technologies and practices for cattle systems with a view to increasing sustainability and reducing GHG emissions. Evidence can be sourced from systems from any area but should be considered in a realistic UK context. The review should be comprehensive, indicating the merits, trade-offs (e.g. to potential increases in air quality emissions), and wider impacts of these practices, and investigate the compatibility and interactions of the technologies considered, for both dairy, beef and mixed production.

This may include but is not limited to:

promotion of ultra-high health status; disease health management and monitoring, for example through use of pedometers, GPS tags, drones and rumen monitoring technology

genetic enhancement to increase metabolic efficiency in the use of feed for maintenance, selection for nitrogen efficiency, methane emissions, rumen microbiome

rumen function modifiers to minimise greenhouse gas production without reducing feed conversion efficiency

diet/nutrition, such as reduced protein levels, consistency in forage quality, targeted feeding

manure management such as flooring with urine separation, slurry acidification, slurry separation, plasma, manure and slurry covers, enzyme/biostabilised manure and AD units, spreading methods

methane capture and conversion to energy

software for data sharing and management of big data, decision support and diagnostic tools

housing technology such as floor scrubbing

Sexed semen

Behavioural training, e.g. to use cow toilets