Livestock intensification potential in Brazil based on agricultural census and satellite data analysis

Authors

  • Arielle Elias Arantes Universidade Federal de Goiás, Laboratório de Processamento de Imagens e Geoprocessamento, Campus II Samambaia, Caixa Postal 131, CEP 74001-970 Goiânia, GO.
  • Victor Rezende de Moreira Couto Universidade Federal de Goiás, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Campus Samambaia, Avenida Esperança, s/no, Campus Universitário, CEP 74690-900 Goiânia, GO.
  • Edson Eyji Sano Embrapa Cerrados, BR-020, Km 18, CEP 73301-970 Planaltina, DF.
  • Laerte Guimarães Ferreira Universidade Federal de Goiás, Laboratório de Processamento de Imagens e Geoprocessamento, Campus II Samambaia, Caixa Postal 131, CEP 74001-970 Goiânia, GO.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2018.v53.25633

Keywords:

Brazilian pasturelands, cattle stocking rate, gross primary productivity, livestock intensification, Modis GPP, pasture carrying capacity

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of livestock intensification in Brazil. Beef cattle stocking rates were estimated according to agricultural census data on livestock production in Brazilian municipalities. Pasture carrying capacity was obtained by combining moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (Modis) images of gross primary productivity and data on dry matter demand per animal unit (AU). Cattle stocking rate for Brazil, in 2014/2015, was 0.97 AU ha-1, and the carrying capacity was 3.60 AU ha-1; therefore, there is an average livestock intensification potential of 2.63 AU ha-1. The highest average intensification potential was observed for the Southern region (3.62 AU ha-1), and the lowest for the Northern (2.13 AU ha-1) and Northeastern regions (2.22 AU ha-1). It is possible to estimate cattle stocking rate, pasture carrying capacity, and potential of livestock intensification by integrating data on agricultural census and remote sensing.

Author Biographies

Arielle Elias Arantes, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Laboratório de Processamento de Imagens e Geoprocessamento, Campus II Samambaia, Caixa Postal 131, CEP 74001-970 Goiânia, GO.

http://lattes.cnpq.br/9189950478673154

Victor Rezende de Moreira Couto, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Campus Samambaia, Avenida Esperança, s/no, Campus Universitário, CEP 74690-900 Goiânia, GO.

http://lattes.cnpq.br/4329309889502866

Edson Eyji Sano, Embrapa Cerrados, BR-020, Km 18, CEP 73301-970 Planaltina, DF.

http://lattes.cnpq.br/8478741766449896

Laerte Guimarães Ferreira, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Laboratório de Processamento de Imagens e Geoprocessamento, Campus II Samambaia, Caixa Postal 131, CEP 74001-970 Goiânia, GO.

http://lattes.cnpq.br/8647270006257055

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Published

2018-11-07

How to Cite

Arantes, A. E., Couto, V. R. de M., Sano, E. E., & Ferreira, L. G. (2018). Livestock intensification potential in Brazil based on agricultural census and satellite data analysis. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 53(9), 1053–1060. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2018.v53.25633

Issue

v.53, n.9, set. 2018

Section

REMOTE SENSING