One of the papers presented at the World Meat Congress looked at modelling the effects of growth hormone use on the environmental and economic sustainability of Brazilian beef production.

The background to the study was that Brazil’s beef systems account for 14.9% of global beef production; therefore, given climate change concerns, they see a need to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic viability. Thiago Bernardino de Carvalho compared the animal performance of groups of animals implanted with synthetic hormones versus groups with no hormones.

“Implants offer the opportunity for Brazilian beef producers to demonstrate their dedication to improving environmental and economic sustainability through improved productivity,” he said.

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The research showed that animals that were implanted with growth hormones had a reduction in finishing age of between two and six months, a reduction in emissions of 16%, an increase in carcase weight of between 6-9% along with an increase in profitability of between 18-34%.

The cost of the hormones ranged from $1.16/head (€1/head) for young calves to $2.91/head (€2.50/head) for feedlot finishers.