Carbon footprint of Holstein bull calves fed two different total mixed rations from 4 to 12 months.

Despite the climate impact of rosé veal calf production is lower than most other beef types, it is still warranted that we find new ways of improving the climate impact of this production. The objective was to estimate the carbon footprint (CF) of rosé veal production when calves were fed two different feed rations. 64 Holstein male calves were fed and raised similarly from birth to 4 months, after which 32 calves were fed a corn-cob-silage-based TMR (YEL) and 32 calves were fed a grass-clover-based TMR (GRE) until slaughter at 12 months of age. YEL TMR also included barley, rape seed meal, and sugar beet pellets. GRE TMR also included barley, fava beans, and rape seed. Crude protein level was reduced twice during rearing. Feed intake (DMI and NEI) was similar for GRE and YEL. ADG from birth to slaughter and carcass weight were higher (268 vs 261 kg) for GRE vs YEL (P<0.03). Tabulated values for CF of the various feedstuffs were used in the LCA. Contributions for the animals’ methane production were measured in open-circuit respiration chambers at 8 months of age. The contribution of feed stuffs to the LCA including soil C sequestration was 7% lower for GRE vs YEL. The contribution of manure was slightly lower for GRE vs YEL. The contribution form enteric methane was 12% higher for GRE vs YEL. The total CF was 2861 vs 2858 kg CO2e per calf produced. When CF was expressed per kg carcass weight, GRE was 3% lower (10,7 vs 11,0 kg CO2e). Overall, this LCA confirms that rose veal calf production has a low CF compared to other beef systems. The feeding effect show that even a marked increase in enteric methane with one feeding can lead to a similar CF if the contributions from feed, manure and C-sequestration counterbalance this.