Viande rouge : toujours d'actualité !

Conference given outside the academic context (2012)

Agriculture et changements climatiques: bilan de carbone d'une prairie pâturée en Région wallonne

Article for general public (2012)

L'équilibre des rations alimentaires des bovins wallons, pistes d'amélioration de l'efficience azotée

Conference (2012, May 29)

Carbon balance of an intensive grazed grassland

Poster (2012, April 23)

This work seeks to analyze the C balance of a Belgian grassland grazed by the “Blanc Bleu Belge” breed of cattle. The site is located at Dorinne in the Belgian Condroz (50° 18’ 44’’ N; 4° 58’ 07’’ E; 248 ... [more ▼]

This work seeks to analyze the C balance of a Belgian grassland grazed by the “Blanc Bleu Belge” breed of cattle. The site is located at Dorinne in the Belgian Condroz (50° 18’ 44’’ N; 4° 58’ 07’’ E; 248 m asl.). It is permanent grassland of ca. 4.2 ha with a moderate slope of 1 to 2 %. Homogeneity and topography criteria are met to ensure high quality turbulent flux measurements. The experimental field was equipped with an eddy covariance system. Flux correction, quality control and data gap filling were performed following standardised procedures. This device was completed by a micrometeorological station that measured temperature and humidity respectively in the air and within the soil, radiation, atmospheric pressure and precipitations. Carbon exported through mowing (CNBP,export), imported through compost application (CNBP,import) or through complementary feeds for cattle (CNBP,complement) was also measured. In addition, the vegetation development was followed in order to estimate herbage production and dry matter intake by grazing animals. Carbon lost through CH4 emissions (CNBP,CH4) was finally estimated, allowing the establishment of a full C budget. After one year of measurements (May 2010 - May 2011), the grassland was a net CO2 source (Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) = 172 ± 94 g C m-2 year-1). Net Biome Productivity (NBP) was calculated from NEE by taking into account imports and export of organic C and losses of carbon as CH4. Contribution of CNBP,CH4 to NBP was small as it was 12 ± 1 g C m-2 year-1. The balance between CNBP,import and CNBP,export created not such a large departure of NBP from NEE, which is not the case of CNBP,complement. The NBP was finally estimated at 102 ± 95 g C m-2 year-1. At this stage, it is premature to conclude about the sink or source behaviour of the plot because the NBP value is very close to its uncertainty. Moreover, this result was obtained under particular climate conditions, characterised by drought during summer 2010 and spring 2011. First year full carbon budget will be discussed in relation with climate conditions and management practices. A second year of measurements will be also presented. [less ▲]

Ration comparée conventionnelle - bio en élevage de bovin viande et lait

Conference given outside the academic context (2012)

D31-1238: Développement et utilisation des anticorps du jaune d'oeuf en vue du contrôle des Salmonella spp. dans le tube digestif du poulet de chair (Rapport intermédiaire)

Report (2012)

Quel maïs servir aux vaches laitières ?

Conference given outside the academic context (2012)

Carbon balance of a grazed grassland in Belgium

in Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences (2012, February 10)

This work seeks to analyze the carbon balance of a managed permanent grassland grazed by the “Blanc Bleu Belge” breed of cattle. The study site is located at Dorinne. The experimental field was equipped ... [more ▼]

This work seeks to analyze the carbon balance of a managed permanent grassland grazed by the “Blanc Bleu Belge” breed of cattle. The study site is located at Dorinne. The experimental field was equipped with an eddy covariance system that measured CO2 fluxes and with a micrometeorological station. Carbon exported through mowing, imported through compost application or through complementary feeds for cattle was also measured. Carbon lost through CH4 emissions was finally estimated, allowing the establishment of a full C budget. In addition, the vegetation development was followed in order to estimate herbage production and dry matter intake by grazing animals. First year full carbon budget is presented and discussed, in relation with climate conditions and management practices. [less ▲]

Alimentation et performances. Les femelles de remplacement

Conference given outside the academic context (2012)

Projet D31-1235: Etablissement du bilan de carbone d'une exploitation agricole wallonne pratiquant le système allaitant: effets du climat et de la gestion du pâturage. Rapport de synthèse: Janvier 2010 - Décembre 2011

Report (2012)