Life cycle assessment (LCA) of intensive poultry production systems

Description

Life cycle assessment provides a useful tool for identifying where significant improvements can be made to achieve environmental sustainability in agricultural production. Potential strategies for improving the environmental performance of intensive poultry systems are discussed in this chapter. These include improving feed efficiency by using additives such as enzymes in feed or alternatively improving the efficiency of birds through genetic selection, use of alternative feed ingredients, such as locally grown protein crops and agricultural by-products, as a replacement for South American grown soya, and considering other management options, such as improving poultry housing and adopting new strategies for manure management

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Life cycle assessment (LCA) of poultry production: general principles 3 The main environmental impacts of intensive poultry production 4 Reducing environmental impacts: feed consumption and composition 5 Reducing environmental impacts: breeding, housing and manure management 6 Summary 7 Future trends 8 Where to look for further information 9 References