Environmental impact of beef sourced from different production systems - focus on the slaughtering stage: input and output. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mogensen, Lisbeth; Nguyen, Thu Lan T.; Madsen, Niels T.; Pontoppidan, Ole; Preda, Teodora; Hermansen, John E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 133(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 284
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Slaughtering -- Edible products -- Beef production system -- Greenhouse gas emissions -- Non-renewable energy; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.05.105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the environmental performance of ten Danish beef production systems covering the entire chain from the farm until the edible products and side streams leave the slaughterhouse and to explore the potential of mitigation related to the slaughtering process. The functional unit was 'kg edible product' including meat products and edible by-products that are used in human nutrition. Primary production accounts for a major share of the impact, leaving only a minor share to the slaughtering, where savings due to slaughterhouse by-product recovery are more than enough to offset the impact of the slaughtering process. The carbon footprint was 10–13 kg CO2 -eq/kg edible product from dairy based calves and cows of all types and 30–45 kg CO2 -eq/kg edible product from young animals of specialized beef breed systems. The use of non-renewable energy per kg edible product shows a relatively small variation among systems. Improving the utilization of the carcass by producing new edible products not conventionally produced represents an opportunity for reducing the environmental impact per kg edible product. Highlights: The slaughtering process is GHG and NRE neutral due to use of by-products. It is more favorable to use animal fat for biodiesel instead of for biogas. A higher utilization of the slaughtered animal is an efficient mitigation option.