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: Post-Weaning E. coli Control - Dr. Rodrigo Paiva

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Rodrigo Paiva, DVM and PhD candidate at Iowa State University, explains how post weaning colibacillosis has changed in recent years and why pathogenic Escherichia coli has become more important in swine production. He discusses virulence factors, diagnosis, whole genome sequencing, biosecurity, and practical strategies to reduce disease risk while improving herd health. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Pathogenic E. coli now behaves like a robust, well-equipped truck carrying multiple tools for post-weaning disease."

Meet the guest: Dr. Rodrigo Paiva / rodrigo-paiva-09364355 is a veterinarian and PhD candidate at Iowa State University specializing in swine health, veterinary epidemiology, and post weaning colibacillosis. After several years working in commercial swine production in Brazil, his research has focused on understanding pathogenic Escherichia coli and improving disease prevention in modern production systems. Listen to Dr. Rodrigo Paiva on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.