Quelle place pour la viande rouge dans nos assiettes ?

Conference given outside the academic context (2013)

Impact of grazing on carbon balance of an intensively grazed grassland in Belgium

Poster (2013, April 09)

This work analyzes the impact of grazing on the carbon balance of a grassland grazed by the Belgian Blue breed of cattle. The research was run at the Dorinne terrestrial observatory (DTO). The ... [more ▼]

This work analyzes the impact of grazing on the carbon balance of a grassland grazed by the Belgian Blue breed of cattle. The research was run at the Dorinne terrestrial observatory (DTO). The experimental site is a permanent grassland of ca. 4.2 ha located in the Belgian Condroz (50° 18’ 44’’ N; 4° 58’ 07’’ E; 248 m asl.). Other studies are conducted at the DTO including measurements of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide fluxes (Dumortier et al., Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 15, EGU2013-2083-1, 2013; Beekkerk van Ruth et al., Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 15, EGU2013-3211, 2013, respectively). Grassland carbon budget (Net Biome Productivity, NBP) was calculated from Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) measured by eddy covariance by taking imports and exports of organic C and losses of carbon as CH4 into account (Soussana et al., 2010). After 2 years of measurements (May 2010 - May 2012), the grassland behaved on average as a CO2 source (NEE = 73 ±31 g C m-2 y-1). After inclusion of all the C inputs and outputs the site was closed to equilibrium (NBP = 23 ±34 g C m-2 y-1). To analyze the impact of grazing on CO2 fluxes, we studied the temporal evolution of gross maximal photosynthetic capacity GPPmax and dark respiration Rd (deduced from the response of daytime fluxes to radiation over 5-day windows). We calculated GPPmax and Rd variation between the end and the beginning of grazing or non-grazing periods (∆GPPmax and ∆Rd, respectively). We observed a significant decrease of GPPmax during grazing periods and measured a ∆GPPmax dependence on the average stocking rate. This allows us to quantify the assimilation reduction due to grass consumption by cattle. On the contrary, no Rd decrease was observed during grazing periods. Moreover, we found that cumulated monthly NEE increased significantly with the average stocking rate. In addition, a confinement experiment was carried out in order to analyze livestock contribution to Total Ecosystem Respiration. Each experiment extended over two days: the first day, cattle was confined in the footprint of the eddy covariance set-up (1.76 ha, 27 LU ha-1) and the second day, it was removed from it. We compared filtered half-hourly data made at 24h intervals, in the presence or absence of cattle, considering that environmental conditions were equivalent (air temperature, wind speed, radiation and wind direction). Results showed that CO2 fluxes were significantly higher when cattle were on the plot. Livestock contribution estimation to CO2 fluxes was on average 6.6 µmol m-2 s-1. [less ▲]

Evaluation du troisième Programme de Gestion Durable de l'Azote en agriculture. Recommandations en matière de règlementations et de recherches scientifiques

in Vandenberghe, Christophe; Colinet, Gilles; Destain, Jean-Pierre (Eds.) et al 2ème Atelier Nitrate - Eau. Evaluation du Programme de Gestion Durable de l'Azote (2013)

In accordance with the Nitrates Directive, the third “Durable Nitrogen Management Plan” (PGDA) will be soon reviewed in Wallonia (Belgium). The second “Nitrate – Water” workshop took place between 28th ... [more ▼]

In accordance with the Nitrates Directive, the third “Durable Nitrogen Management Plan” (PGDA) will be soon reviewed in Wallonia (Belgium). The second “Nitrate – Water” workshop took place between 28th May and 1st June 2012. The workshop was attended by both Belgian scientists (Université catholique de Louvain - UCL, Walloon Agricultural Research Center CRA-W, Université de Liège - ULg, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech) and French scientists (National Institute for Agricultural Research - INRA). In the light of the results of experiments presented by scientists at this workshop, modifications to the PGDA are now recommended. These concern organic and mineral nitrogen fertilization for crops and meadows; catch crops; soil nitrate-nitrogen residue limitation in autumn, at the start of the nitrate leaching period; the management of meadow ploughing and a modification of the dairy cow standard for nitrogen production. [less ▲]

Les légumineuses comme source protéique dans la ration des ruminants

Conference given outside the academic context (2013)

D31-1254: Influence de l'âge et du poids d'abattage sur la qualité organoleptique du poulet de chair à croissance lente en Région wallonne (Rapport final).

Report (2013)

Ces dernières années, la progression de la production avicole en Wallonie est, en grande partie, liée au développement de filières dites de qualité différenciée. En 2009, ce sont près de 2.000.000 de ... [more ▼]

Ces dernières années, la progression de la production avicole en Wallonie est, en grande partie, liée au développement de filières dites de qualité différenciée. En 2009, ce sont près de 2.000.000 de poulets qui ont été associés à ce type de production. Cependant, contrairement au poulet standard pour lesquels les pratiques sont très standardisées, les pratiques d’élevage en qualité différenciée peuvent varier, notamment la génétique, l’âge et le poids à l’abattage, le sexe de l’animal, l’accès à un parcours… Ces variations peuvent influencer l’homogénéité de la qualité organoleptique de la viande de poulet au sein d’une même filière ainsi que la perception (et la confiance) des consommateurs vis-à-vis de la viande des poulets qui en sont issus. L’objectif de ce projet est d’étudier et d’objectiver de manière scientifique la qualité organoleptique de la viande de poulet de chair au sein de trois filières avicoles de qualité différenciée afin de fournir aux détenteurs de ces filières des informations quant aux facteurs susceptibles de modifier la qualité organoleptique de leurs produits ainsi que la perception de ceux-ci par les consommateurs. [less ▲]

Les productions fourragères en intercultures : quel potentiel pour l'alimentation des bovins en système allaitant ?

Conference given outside the academic context (2013)

La production de viande par les bovins

Conference given outside the academic context (2013)

Quel objectif pour l'âge au premier vêlage en BBBc ?

Conference given outside the academic context (2013)

Initiation of methane turbulent flux measurements over a grazed grassland in Belgium

in Geophysical Research Abstracts (2013), 15

RAPPORT D'ACTIVITES 2012 "Etablissement du bilan de carbone d'une exploitation agricole wallonne pratiquant le système allaitant: effets du climat et de la gestion du pâturage"

Report (2013)