Effect of observed individual data of performance and excretion on life cycle assessment of piglets

ABSTRACT: The objective was to evaluate the impact of producing piglets fed diets with different crude protein (CP) levels through life cycle assessment and experimental data. In Trial I (performance), 28 crossbred barrow piglets, with an initial average weight of 15.3 ± 1.15 kg were divided into a randomized block design with four treatments, seven replications and one animal per experimental unit. In Trial II (nitrogen and phosphorus balance), 20 crossbred barrow piglets with an average weight of 21.4 ± 1.62 kg were divided in a randomized block design with four treatments, five replications and one animal per experimental unit. Four experimental feeds were evaluated: HighCP, CP18, CP17 and LowCP, with 19, 18, 17 and 16 % of CP, meeting the requirements of digestible amino acids through industrial amino acid (IAA) addition. From Trial I and II data, the environmental impact was calculated for global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, cumulative energy demand, terrestrial ecotoxicity and land occupation (LO). Total nitrogen excretion decreased by 0.226 g d−1 for each 1 g of reduction on daily nitrogen intake. However, there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) among experimental treatments for all impact categories. For LO, there was a reduction (p = 0.078) of impact with CP reduction, which was 8 % lower with the LowCP diet, in comparison with HighCP. Dietary CP reduction for piglets from 15 to 30 kg, through IAA supplementation, reduced the environmental impact under LO, considering soybean meal from southern Brazil and observed individual data of performance and excretion.