Development of new approaches and technologies to address the global and local environmental impact of pig production while preserving its economic competitiveness. TED2021-129454B-I0
J. Francisco Pérez and David Sola Oriol
This research has been funded by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.
The European Green Deal sets out how to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
REDUCE_PI aims to include sustainability objectives, as well as economic ones, in the evaluation of feed formulation, agricultural management, and manure treatment and management decisions, using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach.
Activity 1
Development of a multi-objective decision-making tool for the pig industry, aimed at optimizing economic competitiveness and environmental impact (Multiporc).
Aureli Alabert, Rosa Camps
Among the objectives of this ambitious project is the development of a computational information and decision tool for the technical management of pig fattening farms combining the objectives of performance and economic efficiency of farms, and minimization of the associated environmental impact, taking into account all aspects of the life cycle. This "multi-lens" feature of the tool, (tentatively called MultiPorc).
Activity 2
Evaluating new local more sustainable protein and cereal crops, and the use of byproducts to close link the animal husbandry: LCA indicators.
David Solà-Oriol, Francisca Blanquez, Alba Cerisuelo
REDUCE_PI will calculate the environmental footprint for different crops with a life cycle approach, and will evaluate their likely entrance, % of inclusion and shadow prices, in the best feed formula considering the pressure and limits on the environmental impact and economic expectations.
The project will provide the design of formulas obtained by multi-objective formulation, more precise data of OM, N and P digestibility for different diets, and BW retention curves of N and P. A manure excretion model will be developed to be aligned with the calculation methods of emission inventories.
Activity 3
Designing a model of estimating growth in pigs
Maria Mercè Farré, Francesc González-Solé, Maria Font
REDUCE_PI will elaborate Protein and Phosphorus deposition curves (Pd curves) in growing pigs by using Computed tomography (CT) scan; and the design of BW prediction equations to best fit and account for growing pig batches and barn variabilities (genotypes, sanitary status, environmental conditions).
A LCA tool calculator based on a web page with all the variables and related environmental data will be carried out.