August 30, 2024

 

PIC highlights better pig genetics as key to sustainable production

 

 

Leading global pig genetics company PIC recently highlighted how improving genetics can deliver a major contribution to making pork production more sustainable.

 

As pressure mounts for Europe to improve sustainability in agriculture, PIC said it has "rigorously validated that its genetics are a credible pathway to achieving environmental goals". It worked with global environmental modeling expert Dr. Greg Thoma to complete a composite life cycle assessment (LCA) in Europe, which confirmed that a "full programme PIC pig" (sire + dam) delivers a 7.7% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to the industry average. It showed that continued genetic improvement will lead to an additional reduction of 0.66% per year.

 

The LCA received ISO Conformance (standards 14040, 14044, and 14067), further validating its findings and the potential of Genetic Carbon – greenhouse gas emissions mitigated by genetic improvement, according to PIC, which intends to submit the study for peer review.

 

"This LCA is among the first studies to quantify the specific contribution of genetic breeding programmes on the sustainability metrics of the European pork supply chain and illustrates the positive impact genetics can have on land, feed, and water usage and carbon emissions," said Dr. Thoma. "We've performed this study with the highest rigor, utilising years of production data across multiple countries from a large number of sows in diverse environments to ensure the study conclusions are credible and defensible. The methodology used can be extended to quantify genetic contributions in other livestock and crop systems."

 

"Genetics have historically been underutilised as a tool for reducing emissions," said Banks Baker, global director of product sustainability at PIC. "At a time when agriculture is under pressure to meet ambitious GHG reduction targets, we need to identify solutions that are supported by data.

 

"When it comes to animal agriculture, one of the most important things that can be done to improve sustainability is to choose the right animal, one that is healthy, robust, and efficient."

 

PIC's next step is to put the LCA results to action to prove genetics can be claimed as emissions reductions for stakeholders throughout the supply chain across different countries and regions. It conducted an LCA in North America, which yielded similar results, showing PIC genetics offer a 7.5% reduction in GHG emissions compared to the industry average.

 

PIC and the US National Pork Board have now partnered to develop a carbon claiming framework and a forthcoming pilot. The framework creates an opportunity for US producers to generate environmental value and potentially tap into additional revenue streams by participating in voluntary carbon markets.

 

PIC also aims to empower meat packers and processors, CPGs and food retailers with pork in their supply chains to measure and claim Genetic Carbon reductions as progress toward their climate commitments.

 

"We look forward to replicating and tailoring the framework and pilots within Europe, and we welcome members of the full pork value chain who are interested in claiming GHG reductions through genetics to join us," Baker said.

 

- Pig World