Short answer

When designing or optimizing agricultural production systems, prioritize the selection of animal breeds that possess inherent robustness and adaptive traits suitable for the specific environmental and management conditions of pasture-based systems.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Prodinra (INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine) (2018)
Method: Literature Review and Expert Opinion Synthesis
Evidence: Strong effect

Selecting animals with inherent robustness and adaptive capabilities significantly improves the profitability and sustainability of pasture-based agricultural systems. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Prodinra (INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine). Using Literature review and expert opinion synthesis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or optimizing agricultural production systems, prioritize the selection of animal breeds that possess inherent robustness and adaptive traits suitable for the specific environmental and management conditions of pasture-based systems.

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Robust animal traits enhance pasture-based production system efficiency

Selecting animals with inherent robustness and adaptive capabilities significantly improves the profitability and sustainability of pasture-based agricultural systems.

Prodinra (INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine) · 2018

Key Findings

01Robust animals are characterized by longevity and 'transparency' (ease of management).
02Key traits include efficient feed conversion, good functionality, health, reproductive fitness, and longevity.
03Adaptability to fluctuating feed supply and high forage intake capability are critical for seasonal grazing systems.
04The optimal breed or strain depends on local management constraints and objectives.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When developing or improving livestock breeding programs for pasture-based systems, conduct a thorough assessment of local environmental conditions and management practices to identify and select for the most relevant robustness and adaptive traits.

Project actions

01When researching animal breeds for a design project, look for information on their natural resilience and adaptability to different environments.
02Consider how the 'design' of the animal's traits impacts the overall efficiency and sustainability of the production system.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key animal traits that contribute to robustness and adaptive abilities in pasture-based production systems?

MethodLiterature Review and Expert Opinion Synthesis

ProcedureThe research involved reviewing existing literature and synthesizing expert knowledge to characterize the traits of dairy, beef, and sheep breeds best suited for profitable and sustainable pasture-based production in European systems.

ContextPasture-based agricultural production systems (dairy, beef, sheep) in Europe.

Variables

IV["Animal breed/strain","Presence of specific robustness traits (e.g., disease resistance, fertility)"]

DV["Productivity (milk yield, meat yield, weaning weight)","Longevity","Reproductive success","Health status"]

CV["Pasture quality and management","Climate conditions","Intensive feeding environments (as a contrast)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Focuses on practical, economically relevant traits for a specific agricultural context.
+Synthesizes information applicable to multiple livestock types (dairy, beef, sheep).

Limitations

Generalizing findings across different geographical regions and specific farm management styles can be challenging.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of findings depends on the quality and consistency of the reviewed literature and expert opinions. Validity is enhanced by focusing on traits directly linked to system performance and sustainability.

Think critically

To what extent can 'robustness' in animals be engineered or enhanced through selective breeding versus relying on naturally occurring traits?

Design Principles

"Design for resilience by selecting for inherent adaptive capabilities that match environmental variability."

Understanding the specific traits that contribute to an animal's ability to thrive in variable, pasture-based environments is crucial for optimizing resource utilization and minimizing external inputs. This knowledge directly informs breeding and selection strategies, leading to more resilient and economically viable farming operations.

What This Means for Your Design

Choosing animals that are naturally tough, healthy, and can handle changes in their food supply makes farming with grass more successful and less wasteful.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this research when justifying the selection of specific animal breeds or types for a design project focused on agricultural systems, highlighting the importance of robustness and adaptability.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The selection of animal breeds for pasture-based production systems should prioritize traits associated with robustness and adaptability, such as longevity, health, reproductive fitness, and efficient feed conversion, as these factors significantly contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the system by enabling animals to thrive in variable environmental conditions.

Source

Prodinra (INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine)

Robust animals for grass based production systems

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about robust animal traits enhance pasture-based production system efficiency?: When designing or optimizing agricultural production systems, prioritize the selection of animal breeds that possess inherent robustness and adaptive traits suitable for the specific environmental and management conditions of pasture-based systems. Evidence: Prodinra (INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine) (2018).
Why does "Robust animal traits enhance pasture-based production system efficiency" matter for design?: Understanding the specific traits that contribute to an animal's ability to thrive in variable, pasture-based environments is crucial for optimizing resource utilization and minimizing external inputs. This knowledge directly informs breeding and selection strategies, leading to more resilient and economically viable farming operations.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing or optimizing agricultural production systems, prioritize the selection of animal breeds that possess inherent robustness and adaptive traits suitable for the specific environmental and management conditions of pasture-based systems.
What were the main findings?: Robust animals are characterized by longevity and 'transparency' (ease of management).. Key traits include efficient feed conversion, good functionality, health, reproductive fitness, and longevity.. Adaptability to fluctuating feed supply and high forage intake capability are critical for seasonal grazing systems.. The optimal breed or strain depends on local management constraints and objectives.
What research method was used?: Literature Review and Expert Opinion Synthesis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Prodinra (INRA Bordeaux-Aquitaine).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When developing or improving livestock breeding programs for pasture-based systems, conduct a thorough assessment of local environmental conditions and management practices to identify and select for the most relevant robustness and adaptive traits.
What are the limitations?: The study focuses on European systems and may not be directly transferable to all global pasture-based environments. Specific breed recommendations are generalized and require local adaptation.