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

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.

摘要：本研究旨在评估巴西畜牧业集约化的发展潜力。研究基于巴西各市级行政单位的畜牧业生产农业普查数据，估算了肉牛存栏密度。通过结合中等分辨率成像光谱辐射计（Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer，Modis）的总初级生产力遥感影像与每动物单位（Animal Unit，AU）的干物质需求量数据，得到牧场载畜量。2014/2015年，巴西肉牛存栏密度为0.97 AU ha⁻¹，牧场载畜量为3.60 AU ha⁻¹，因此平均畜牧业集约化潜力为2.63 AU ha⁻¹。其中南部地区的平均集约化潜力最高，达3.62 AU ha⁻¹；北部地区（2.13 AU ha⁻¹）与东北地区（2.22 AU ha⁻¹）的集约化潜力最低。本研究表明，通过整合农业普查数据与遥感数据，即可估算肉牛存栏密度、牧场载畜量与畜牧业集约化潜力。