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Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Mitigation Methods in Probiotic-fed Broiler Production

Hui Ween Chin, Tuan Poy Tee , Ngai Paing Tan

Abstract

Context. Livestock production contributes significantly to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Probiotic-fed broiler production has been shown to reduce GHG emissions in other nations significantly, however, outcomes in Malaysia are unknown. Aims. This study assesses the total GHG emissions of probiotic-fed broiler production from cradle-to-farm gate using a credited Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool, Greenhouse Accounting Framework (GAF). It determines the hotspot of GHG emissions and emission intensity of the farm in kg CO2-eq/kg live weight (kg CO2-eq/kg LW). Three types of mitigation methods, i.e. selling untreated manure, composting, and conversion into biochar were compared to identify their effectiveness. Methods. The research involves three broiler houses with one production cycle. Fifty-four gas samples and ninety poultry litter (PL) samples were collected throughout the production cycle and analysed for the targeted gases - i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) and nitrogen (N) and volatile solid (VS) composition. Analysis results were used to estimate total GHG emissions from the farm using the LCA-GAF model. The mitigation efficiency by selling untreated manure, composting, and biochar production is assessed by estimating the carbon stock mass. Key results. A new LCA model based on probiotic-fed broiler production was generated, specifically using data obtained from the experiment. The experimental results indicated that energy consumption, i.e. electricity and fuel have the highest GHG emissions (44%), followed by feed production with 40% of the total 53.51 t CO2-eq/house/cycle in the probiotic-fed broiler farm. The emissions intensity of the farm is 1.57 kg CO2-eq/kg LW. Estimation of the mitigation efficiency were compared among untreated manure, biochar, and compost. Conclusions. Energy consumption, particularly electricity and fuel contributed the highest GHG emissions in the probiotic-fed broiler production. Selling untreated PL strategy indicated the most effective carbon mitigation method. However, due to its adverse environmental and human health impacts, converting PL into biochar is the preferable mitigation option. Implications. This study is profound for the poultry industry and environmental sustainability. Highlighting the crucial role of energy consumption in GHG emissions from the probiotic-fed broiler farm, targeted the necessity to address the environmental impacts. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices could lead to more ecological poultry production, contributing to global efforts in climate change mitigation.

AN24040  Accepted 15 July 2024

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