Pork production in Thuringia – management effects on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Reduction potentials and projections

Abstract

Measures to reduce emissions from pork production have been evaluated for fattening pigs in Thuringia, where fattening dominates emissions. Next, an expert team provided data sets for emission scenarios for the entire pork production chain (including breeding, piglet production, fattening as well as feed production, fertiliser use and production, provision of water and energy) in 2020 and 2025. Moderate increases in performance and reduction of animal losses had almost no effect. Substantial emission reductions were found for feeds with reduced protein contents, filtering exhaust air from buildings through scrubbers and reduced emission slurry application procedures. Manure systems using solid farmyard manure emit greater quantities than slurry based systems. A combination of the measures anticipated for 2025 in a comprehensive (fictive) reference enterprise could result in a NH 3 emission reduction by about one fifth as compared to 2015. A minor reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a welcome side effect.

Keywords

• pork production
• ammonia
• greenhouse gases
• area under cultivation
• fertilising
• energy
• water