Unlocking the value of sustainable swine production

Understanding sustainability in swine production

Sustainability in agriculture is often described through the "three P’s": people, planet, and profit. This triad ensures that current and future population needs are met responsibly. For swine production, environmental monitoring is paramount, particularly at the farm level where most emissions occur. Specifically, 80% of the carbon footprint is generated on farms, with feed and nutrition contributing up to 70% of this total. Reducing the environmental impact of swine farming starts with understanding and addressing these major contributors.

The focus on sustainability also stems from growing consumer awareness and demand for environmentally friendly products. For producers, this presents an opportunity to align their operations with market expectations while ensuring regulatory compliance, particularly in regions with stringent environmental guidelines.

Key contributors to environmental impact

1. Feed and Nutrition:

•  Carbon intensity of feed: The cultivation, processing, and transportation of raw feed materials are outside the direct control of farmers but significantly influence the carbon footprint. Farmers, however, can take measures to optimize feed efficiency and nutrient utilization.

• Nutrient utilization: By optimizing the nutrient content and digestibility of feed, farmers can reduce waste and improve animal growth. Effective utilization of nutrients also minimizes the environmental burden by reducing the volume of undigested feed excreted by animals.

• Enzyme application: Enzymes play a crucial role in breaking down feed components and enhancing nutrient absorption. For example, enzymes targeting phosphorus and protein improve their digestibility, reducing waste and the associated emissions.

2. Manure Management:

• Proper management of manure reduces emissions such as ammonia and nitrous oxide, addressing eutrophication and greenhouse gas concerns. Implementing systems for better manure storage and processing can significantly mitigate environmental impacts.

3. Energy Use:

• Although energy use is the smallest contributor (about 4%), improvements in energy efficiency, particularly in regions with high heating needs, can still make a difference. The adoption of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technologies is an additional avenue for reducing this impact.

4. Indirect Emissions:

• Emissions related to piglet production, including breeding and mortality rates, significantly affect the environmental footprint of fattening farms. These upstream emissions highlight the importance of improving productivity and reducing mortality across the entire value chain.

Nutritional innovations driving sustainability

The effective feed design begins with understanding the nutrient profile of raw materials. dsm-firmenich’s extensive work on Near Infrared (NIR) calibrations allows for precise nutrient analysis and diet optimization. This ensures that every component of the feed contributes to animal growth and minimizes waste. Key strategies include:

• Enzymes: Enzyme application is one of the most impactful strategies for sustainable swine production. These biological catalysts enhance nutrient digestibility and reduce nutrient excretion. For instance, improved phosphorus digestion minimizes waste and reduces water contamination risks.

• Mycofix®: Mycotoxin contamination in feed poses significant challenges to animal health and performance. Mycofix® provides a solution by neutralizing these toxins, ensuring that animals remain healthy and productive.
• Hy-D® Vitamin D: This advanced form of vitamin D supports calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which is critical for bone health and overall animal growth. By improving nutrient absorption, Hy-D® also contributes to reducing environmental waste.

These innovations enable the use of novel raw materials that may otherwise be underutilized due to their nutrient availability, creating cost-effective and sustainable feed options. Additionally, they open new possibilities for incorporating non-food-grade materials, reducing competition with human food sources.

Measuring and managing impact with Sustell™

Sustell™, dsm-firmenich’s environmental impact assessment tool, provides pig producers with precise data on their carbon footprint and other environmental metrics. Certified by third-party standards (ISO 14040 and 14044), Sustell™ evaluates baseline emissions and models the outcomes of potential interventions.

With Sustell™, producers can:

• Identify key areas for improvement in feed, nutrition, and manure management.
• Implement targeted strategies to optimize environmental and economic performance.
• Model scenarios to predict the environmental and economic impact of potential changes.
• Achieve reductions in carbon footprint by 3-7% through feed reforms alone.

Sustell™ allows producers to explore the environmental benefits of different dietary formulations and management practices, ensuring that interventions align with both sustainability goals and profitability.

Achieving sustainability without additional costs

Contrary to common concerns, adopting sustainable practices does not necessarily require higher investments. Innovations like enzyme-enriched diets and optimized feed formulations can reduce emissions while improving productivity, resulting in cost-neutral or even cost-saving outcomes. Moreover, improving productivity translates to reduced emissions per kilogram of meat produced. For example, enhanced animal performance and reduced mortality lower the farm’s overall environmental impact. Strategies such as using Sustell™ to identify and implement high-impact interventions further support this alignment of goals. The use of novel feed ingredients, facilitated by advanced enzyme applications, also reduces reliance on traditional feedstocks, many of which compete directly with human food supply chains. This creates a win-win scenario for environmental sustainability and global food security.

Conclusion

The swine industry stands at a pivotal moment where environmental responsibility is no longer optional but essential. Tools and strategies available today enable producers to make meaningful changes without sacrificing profitability. From enzymes and innovative feed formulations to advanced assessment tools like Sustell™, the opportunities to drive sustainable swine production are within reach. The commitment to sustainability is not just about reducing emissions but also about building a resilient, economically viable industry. By embracing solutions such as feed optimization, nutrient management, and precise environmental monitoring, producers can achieve a balance between profitability and sustainability.