Re-thinking water use in pig diets while accounting for food-feed competition. (15th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Misra, Shilpi; Upton, John; Manzanilla, Edgar G.; O'Driscoll, Keelin; Quinn, Amy J.; de Boer, Imke J.M.; van Middelaar, Corina E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 384(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-15
• Subjects: By-products -- Food-feed competition -- Pig diets water footprint -- Water use ratio; 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.2022.135488
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Livestock feed production is one of the primary users of freshwater and arable land, and it is also in competition with human food production. Therefore, we require reconsideration of the way we use freshwater in livestock feed production. The objective of this study is to assess the impact on freshwater use of pork production by using alternative pig diets based on local feed ingredients, or by-products. We used a lifecycle approach to analyse the freshwater use associated with feed production to produce one kg of pork. We explored three feeding scenarios (STANDARD: diets commercially used in Ireland; LOCAL: diets based on ingredients grown in Ireland; and BY-PRODUCT: diets based on by-products only). We calculated the freshwater use, using the water footprint (WFP) method, and the competition for water use between food and feed production using the water use ratio (WUR) for each scenario. The WUR quantifies the maximum amount of human digestible protein (HDP) derived from food crops that could be produced on the same land, and using the same water resources, that were used to grow the feed ingredients needed to produce 1 kg of pork. The WFP of the scenarios was 2, 470 L/kg pork for STANDARD, 2, 492 L/kg pork for LOCAL, and 2, 205 L/kg pork for BY-PRODUCT. When we considered the WUR, none of the scenarios had a value < 1 (i.e. in all scenarios, more HDP can be produced from direct cultivation of food crops rather than pork). However, the BY-PRODUCT scenario (1.4) performed better than STANDARD (1.9) and LOCAL (2.9). Beet pulp and bakery by-products had zero WFP and no edibility and were thus considered promising ingredients. Moreover, rapeseed meal had a low WFP and rapeseed meal and sunflower seed meal are not considered human edible and were considered fit for future inclusion in diets. We also concluded that both the WFP and WUR methods have separate strengths and limitations, and should thus be used in conjunction; the ideal diet is one with the minimum WFP and WUR. Consideration of human edibility of feed ingredients is an important approach which should be included in future studies. Moreover, the entire food system including dairy, beef, poultry and other competitive uses should be taken into account when considering which feed ingredients to use in pig diets. Highlights: Freshwater use of Irish pork production was studied focusing on different pig diets. Freshwater use was assessed using the water footprint and water use ratio. Based on both methods, a diet formulated using by-products used the least water. Freshwater use assessment should consider human edibility of feed ingredients.