The sustainable development of livestock sector is one of the greatest challenges for next years. Within the development of a sustainable food system, animal production plays a debated role, thus its sustainable transition is particularly difficult and controversial. This transition is recognised as a key element for the future development of the planet by the European Green Deal and the Italian Recovery Plan. Strong efforts are currently being made to convert livestock farms to more sustainable and technological management, but there is still a long way to go. In the context of sustainability evaluation, several methods based on Life Cycle Thinking are being developed with the aim of framing the three dimensions of sustainability (Environmental, Economical and Social); interest in the application of this methods in agriculture has been increasing in recent years due to the implications of this sector on climate change. In the procedures tools nowadays used to assess the sustainability of farms, animal health and welfare are usually neglected or not organically integrated. In this context, the primary aim of the PhD project presented here was to assess the environmental impact of dairy farms, incorporating an approach that considers animal health and welfare. This was achieved using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method with a “cradle to factory gate” analysis. Following an extensive literature review, an innovative and comprehensive LCA inventory was developed to collect primary data from four dairy farms within the Parmigiano Reggiano PDO supply chain involved in the research. This inventory included aspects such as animal health and welfare, feeding, production, and management. The farms were monitored, and farmers were engaged through questionnaires. Upon completion of a more extensive farm sampling and data analysis, customized management strategies for climate change mitigation will be identified and implemented for each farm involved in the research.
Identification of tools for improving and supporting sustainability and innovation processes in the dairy supply chain
Capretti C.
;Di Pasquale J.;Vignola G.
2024-01-01
Abstract
The sustainable development of livestock sector is one of the greatest challenges for next years. Within the development of a sustainable food system, animal production plays a debated role, thus its sustainable transition is particularly difficult and controversial. This transition is recognised as a key element for the future development of the planet by the European Green Deal and the Italian Recovery Plan. Strong efforts are currently being made to convert livestock farms to more sustainable and technological management, but there is still a long way to go. In the context of sustainability evaluation, several methods based on Life Cycle Thinking are being developed with the aim of framing the three dimensions of sustainability (Environmental, Economical and Social); interest in the application of this methods in agriculture has been increasing in recent years due to the implications of this sector on climate change. In the procedures tools nowadays used to assess the sustainability of farms, animal health and welfare are usually neglected or not organically integrated. In this context, the primary aim of the PhD project presented here was to assess the environmental impact of dairy farms, incorporating an approach that considers animal health and welfare. This was achieved using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method with a “cradle to factory gate” analysis. Following an extensive literature review, an innovative and comprehensive LCA inventory was developed to collect primary data from four dairy farms within the Parmigiano Reggiano PDO supply chain involved in the research. This inventory included aspects such as animal health and welfare, feeding, production, and management. The farms were monitored, and farmers were engaged through questionnaires. Upon completion of a more extensive farm sampling and data analysis, customized management strategies for climate change mitigation will be identified and implemented for each farm involved in the research.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
