Life cycle inventories for the Australian grains sector
Aaron T. Simmons
A H , Alexandra Murray A , Philippa M. Brock B C , Timothy Grant D , Annette L. Cowie E F , Sandra Eady G and Bharat Sharma D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Orange Agricultural Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
B New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, 10 Valentine Avenue, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia.
C Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
D Lifecycles, Suite 5, 207-209 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Vic. 3065, Australia.
E Livestock Industries Centre, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Trevenna Road Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
F School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351.
G CSIRO Agriculture and Food, New England Highway, Armidale, NSW 2358, Australia.
H Corresponding author. Email: aaron.simmons@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Crop and Pasture Science 70(7) 575-584 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP18412
Submitted: 5 September 2018 Accepted: 2 May 2019 Published: 26 July 2019
Abstract
Grain production is a key source of food globally and is an important agricultural system for the Australian economy. Environmental impacts such as the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) associated with grain production are well documented and the Australian grains industry has strived to ensure ongoing improvement. To facilitate this improvement, the industry funded the development of life cycle inventories to provide broad geographical coverage. Cradle-to-gate inventories for wheat were developed for each of the grains industry agro-ecological zones, and inventories were developed for minor cereal crops (e.g. barley, sorghum), oilseeds (i.e. canola) and legumes where relevant. Data for inventory development were taken from numerous sources and validated by using data collected through interviews with experts in each agro-ecological zone. Inventory data were also collected so that indicators in addition to global-warming impacts could be assessed. Global warming impacts for wheat production ranged from 193 to 567 kg carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-e) t–1, and global warming impacts were 597–851, 333–361, 169–285 and 74–672 kg CO2-e t–1 for canola, sorghum, barley and grain-legume production, respectively. Results for eutrophication, freshwater ecotoxicity, land-use and abiotic depletion (fossil-fuel use) are also presented.
Additional keywords: AEZ, dryland cropping, life cycle assessment, LCI.
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