Nitrogen and phosphorus consumption, utilisation and losses in pig production: Denmark

Abstract

Swine production in Denmark has increased by more than 50% in the past 20 years and in this time the structure of production has changed markedly towards larger units. This has resulted in a serious threat to the local environment. Consequently, legislative measures with a progressive degree of restriction have been introduced. The annual production of slurry from pigs amounted to about 12.5 million tons in 1995, containing about 104 000 tons of N and 25 000 tons of P. Ammonia emission from pig buildings in 1996 was about 16 000 tons. Production of one standard pig (about 100-kg live weight) generated a total excretion of about 5 kg N and 1.2 kg P in 1997. Sows, weaners and growing pigs contributed 22, 13 and 63% to N excretion and 26, 15 and 59% to P excretion, respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorus losses from pig production in Denmark are discussed in relation to legislative and nutritional measures.