Eco-Efficient Pork: The Role of Genetics in Cutting Carbon Emissions

Jan 27, 2025

Reducing our global carbon emission is crucial for a number of reasons including climate change mitigation, sea level rise prevention, and air quality improvement. Addressing these concerns is a global responsibility to protect future generations. To do our part, we have now completed a report using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology to quantify the real impact of genetic improvement of Hypor pigs.

It is well known that animal protein production is a significant contributor to carbon emissions and in the past, efficiency of livestock systems was mainly driven by economic incentive. We are now committed to sustainable swine breeding that considers total impact including economics, ethics, and environmental impact. Choices we make in animal genetics today impact the future and are multiplied in the thousands or even millions of animals.

Where can genetics make an impact ?

Studies have demonstrated that genetic improvement leads to a visible reduction of the ecological footprint of the animal protein value chain. Feed is the main contributor to the ecological footprint of animal protein, and we sought out to answer the question: how do improved FCR rates contribute to lower CO2 emissions and reduced land usage by the commercial customers of our products?

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Video: How Swine Nutrition Can Revolutionize Biogas Production - Dr. Felipe Hickmann

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Felipe Hickmann from Laval University explores how nutritional strategies and manure management impact biogas production in pig farming. He breaks down the science behind anaerobic digestion at low temperatures and explains how dietary adjustments affect methane production and environmental sustainability. Learn how producers can reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Lowering crude protein can reduce nitrogen in manure, but only if animal intake doesn’t compensate by increasing feed consumption."

Meet the guest: Dr. Felipe Hickmann / felipe-hickmann-963853a6 is a PhD research assistant at Laval University, specializing in swine and poultry sustainability. With extensive experience in manure management, nutritional strategies, and precision livestock technologies, he contributes to improving environmental outcomes in animal agriculture.