Abstract
This study conducts a review bringing together data from a large number of studies investigating energy use in EU livestock systems. Such a study has not been conducted previously, and improvements in our understanding of energy use concentrations in livestock systems will aid in developing interventions to achieve the EU’s 2030 and 2050 sustainability targets. The results from the Life Cycle Assessments included in this review indicate that energy use is concentrated in feed, housing, and manure management. In most systems, animal feed is the dominant energy use category. Regarding specific livestock categories, the studies covered indicate that energy use requirements range from 2.1 to 5.3 MJ/kg per ECM for cow milk, 59.2 MJ/kg for a suckler cow–calf, and 43.73 MJ/kg for a dairy bull, 15.9 MJ/kg to 22.7 MJ/kg for pork production, 9.6 MJ/kg to 19.1 MJ/kg for broiler production, 20.5–23.5 MJ/kg for chicken egg production. Our review indicates dominance of and dependence on fossil fuel and discusses the situation and research around transitioning towards renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. Our analysis indicates that existing energy use data in livestock systems are fragmented and characterized by multiple methodologies and considerable data gaps. In our view, there is a need for the development of a standardized methodology for measuring energy use in livestock systems, which we consider a necessary step to develop interventions that reduce fossil energy use in livestock systems and its contribution to climatic change.
Highlights
The EU livestock sector is a significant contributor to climatic change, a driver of land-use change, dependent on fossil energy sources, and a significant emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1]
Animal feed was the dominant energy use category. This suggests that energy use in livestock systems is underreported as the majority of energy use associated with feed happens off the farm and is not attributed to the livestock sector in official agricultural statistics
The studies covered indicated that the energy use requirements range from 2.1 to 5.3 MJ/kg per energy-corrected milk (ECM) for cow milk, 59.2 MJ/kg for a suckler cow–calf, and 43.73 MJ/kg for a dairy bull, 15.9 MJ/kg to 22.7 MJ/kg for pork production, 9.6 MJ/kg to 19.1 MJ/kg for broiler production, and 20.5–23.5 MJ/kg for chicken egg production
Summary
The EU livestock sector is a significant contributor to climatic change, a driver of land-use change, dependent on fossil energy sources, and a significant emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1]. Based on data from 2018, the main livestock populations in the EU consisted of 148 million pigs, 87 million bovine animals, and 98 million sheep and goats [1,2], while the main outputs of the livestock sector are meat and milk products. Significant data are available on a European level on the production levels, production patterns [2,3], and financial accounts of livestock [4] held in the EU. Relatively little information is available on the energy use associated with livestock production in the EU as a whole and for specific livestock categories. For the development and implementation of these goals, a clear understanding of energy use concentrations in the livestock sector in production systems and across production stages is a prerequisite
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
