Using fuzzy cognitive mapping to assess the sustainability impacts of transitioning to pasture-fed production in the UK beef sector

Rowe, Elizabeth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8671-8066; Norton, Lisa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1622-0281; McVittie, Alistair ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7128-7446; Watson, Christine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3758-9483; Wagner, Markus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2263-304X; Waterton, Claire ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1283-4147; Smith, Laurence ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9898-9288. 2025 Using fuzzy cognitive mapping to assess the sustainability impacts of transitioning to pasture-fed production in the UK beef sector. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 40, e1. 14, pp. 10.1017/S1742170524000206

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text N538918JA.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

One hundred percent pasture-fed beef production has been suggested as a promising approach for sustainable ruminant farming, due to the potential benefits that can accrue across a range of sustainability domains. This study aimed to investigate the impacts across the four domains of sustainability of a wholesale switch from conventional to 100% pasture-fed beef production in the UK. We used fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) as a method for extracting knowledge from multiple stakeholders to create representative systems models of both conventional and pasture-based beef production systems. We then conducted a scenario analysis to assess how a switch to a pasture-fed system could affect components of sustainability in the UK beef sector. The FCMs indicated that vegetation quality, grass use efficiency, and soil health were central components of the pasture-fed approach, while economic and regulatory aspects, and climate change targets were more central to mainstream production approaches. The most marked changes under the 100% conversion scenario were an increase in income from subsidies (27.3%) in line with ‘public money for public goods’, a decrease in ability to export beef (unless advice to reduce consumption of animal protein is followed) (23.5%), a decrease in land used for farming vs other uses (e.g., natural capital) (11.23%), and a decrease in the use of feed from agricultural co/byproducts (7.5%), freeing up these feed sources for more sustainable monogastric production. Therefore, the mapping and scenario analysis suggests that while upscaling the pasture-fed approach may reduce productivity, it would likely increase public goods provision and reduce feed–food competition in the UK.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1017/S1742170524000206
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity and Land Use (2025-)
ISSN:	1742-1705
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper -full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	agroecological, beef, fuzzy cognitive mapping, pasture fed sustainable food
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science
Date made live:	17 Feb 2025 14:28 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/538918

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...