A new resource outlining best practices for the U.S. Sheep industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is now available. The resource summarizes findings in an Environmental Footprint Study from Michigan State University.
Many of the practices align with the Lamb Crop Best Practices developed to improve on-farm productivity and profitability. Reducing lamb loss, breeding ewes earlier, and optimal nutrition practices are all areas where producers can maximize productivity while reducing GHG emissions. “It’s encouraging that producers can implement sound practices that have been proven to help with productivity while reducing our environmental footprint,” says American Lamb Board Chair Peter Camino. “Sheep producers have long stewarded their lands, but seeing strategies that make sense for both productivity and sustainability is encouraging.”
Other strategies include proper fertilizer use, improved manure management, using renewable resources, and adopting new grazing opportunities. The full report or the summary of the findings can be downloaded at lambboard.com.