Comparing The Sustainability and Circularity of Two Livestock Production Systems in The Sierra Norte of Puebla, Mexico

In this study, integrated crop-livestock production systems (ISG) was compared against intensive (RF) and semi-intensive feedlot systems (FS). A sustainability evaluation incorporating multidimensional indicators and a circularity assessment using biomass, energy and nutrient indicators were performed. Complete integration of the crop and livestock components greatly increased the productivity of the ISG system, reducing the environmental impact and guaranteeing a adequate level of self-reliance; thus sustainability was greatly improved when compared to RF. Circularity indicators of ISG and FS mostly showed no differences but there was a general trend of ISG to improve energy, nutrient cycling and vegetable biomass production.