Changes in the life cycle environmental footprint of egg production in Canada from 1962 to 2012

Abstract

Current levels of productivity, resource efficiency and animal health on Canadian egg farms are superior to those achieved historically. Supply chain efficiencies have also changed over time. An important question, then, is to what extent have such changes influenced the sustainability of egg production?The current analysis provides a quantitative understanding of the actual scale and consequences of these changes in the Canadian egg industry. By evaluating to what extent and for what reasons the life cycle environmental footprint of conventional Canadian egg production – as measured in terms of acidifying, eutrophying, and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as energy, land, and water use – has changed over a 50 year interval spanning 1962 to 2012, the historical trajectory of the industry towards more sustainable practices is elucidated.Per unit of eggs produced in conventional cage housing systems in Canada in 2012 (which accounted for over 90% of production nationally), cradle-to-farm gate impacts were, on average, roughly one third of those estimated for egg production in Canada in 1962. Supply chain acidifying emissions declined by 61%, eutrophying emissions by 68%, and GHG emissions by 72%, while life cycle energy, land and water use decreased by 41%, 81% and 69% respectively. Moreover, despite that egg production volumes increased from 43.4 million dozen to 65.7 million dozen eggs per year between 1962 and 2012 – an increase of over 50% - the industry's overall environmental footprint actually decreased across all emissions and resource use domains considered. Industry total life cycle emissions for egg production were 41%, 51% and 57% lower for acidifying, eutrophying, and greenhouse gas emissions respectively. Energy, land and water use were 10%, 71% and 53% lower.These observed changes are attributable to a combination of factors, including: improved efficiencies in the supply chain activities that support egg production; changes in the composition of feeds sourced for both pullet and egg production; and significant improvements in resource efficiencies, animal health, and productivity at the level of pullet and egg production.