Comparing the Sustainability and Circularity of Two Livestock Production Systems in the Sierra Norte of Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

In this study, integrated crop–livestock production systems (ISG) were compared against intensive (RF) and semi-intensive feedlot systems (FS). A sustainability evaluation incorporating multidimensional indicators and a circularity assessment using biomass, energy, and nutrient indicators were performed. Complete integration of the crop and livestock components greatly increased the productivity of the ISG system, reducing the environmental impact and guaranteeing an adequate level of self-reliance; thus, sustainability was greatly improved when compared to RF. Circularity indicators of ISG and FS mostly showed no differences, but there was a general trend of ISG to improve energy, nutrient cycling, and vegetable biomass production.

Keywords

• integrated systems
• grazing
• sustainability
• circular economy