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The Effect of Climate Change-Induced Temperature Increase on Performance and Environmental Impact of Intensive Pig Production Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan J. Hörtenhuber

    (Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Günther Schauberger

    (WG Environmental Health, Unit for Physiology and Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria)

  • Christian Mikovits

    (WG Environmental Health, Unit for Physiology and Biophysics, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
    Institute for Sustainable Economic Development, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Martin Schönhart

    (Institute for Sustainable Economic Development, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Johannes Baumgartner

    (Institute of Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria)

  • Knut Niebuhr

    (Institute of Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
    Dedicated to our colleague, Knut Niebuhr, who passed away before the manuscript was submitted.)

  • Martin Piringer

    (Department of Environmental Meteorology, Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Ivonne Anders

    (Department for Climate Research, Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Konrad Andre

    (Department for Climate Research, Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Isabel Hennig-Pauka

    (Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 49456 Bakum, Germany
    University Clinics for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Werner Zollitsch

    (Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

This study examined climate change impacts (CCI) on productivity of pig production systems, their resource use, environmental impacts and the relevance of potential adaptation options. The impact of increasing temperature and temperature-humidity index (THI) on performance of pigs in confined housing systems was analysed by a meta-analysis. Using climate data for an Austrian site for the period 1981 to 2010, different scenarios (cold year, warm year, hot year, worst case scenario) were modelled and compared. Although significant differences between thermoneutral and heat stress conditions were detected for the analysed traits of growing and finishing pigs, overall performance, resource use (cumulative energy demand) and environmental impacts (global warming, acidification and eutrophication potential) per kg of live mass for finished pigs and reared piglets did not significantly differ between most scenarios. Elements of pig production systems resilient to CCI, which were not considered under performance and environmental impacts (LCA), were addressed in a system analysis that was based on literature and expert knowledge. The most important detected system elements are plants and animals with an appropriate genetic potential, securing the access to inexpensive feed, including land for feed production, securing water supply and the implementation of health plans and measures against diseases associated with CCI.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan J. Hörtenhuber & Günther Schauberger & Christian Mikovits & Martin Schönhart & Johannes Baumgartner & Knut Niebuhr & Martin Piringer & Ivonne Anders & Konrad Andre & Isabel Hennig-Pauka & Werne, 2020. "The Effect of Climate Change-Induced Temperature Increase on Performance and Environmental Impact of Intensive Pig Production Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9442-:d:444402
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Günther Schauberger & Christian Mikovits & Werner Zollitsch & Stefan J. Hörtenhuber & Johannes Baumgartner & Knut Niebuhr & Martin Piringer & Werner Knauder & Ivonne Anders & Konrad Andre & Isabel Hen, 2019. "Global warming impact on confined livestock in buildings: efficacy of adaptation measures to reduce heat stress for growing-fattening pigs," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 156(4), pages 567-587, October.
    2. Pelletier, N. & Lammers, P. & Stender, D. & Pirog, R., 2010. "Life cycle assessment of high- and low-profitability commodity and deep-bedded niche swine production systems in the Upper Midwestern United States," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 103(9), pages 599-608, November.
    3. Gwendolyn Rudolph & Stefan Hörtenhuber & Davide Bochicchio & Gillian Butler & Roland Brandhofer & Sabine Dippel & Jean Yves Dourmad & Sandra Edwards & Barbara Früh & Matthias Meier & Armelle Prunier &, 2018. "Effect of Three Husbandry Systems on Environmental Impact of Organic Pigs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elżbieta Izabela Szczepankiewicz & Jan Fazlagić & Windham Loopesko, 2021. "A Conceptual Model for Developing Climate Education in Sustainability Management Education System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-26, January.
    2. Günther Schauberger & Martin Schönhart & Werner Zollitsch & Stefan J. Hörtenhuber & Leopold Kirner & Christian Mikovits & Johannes Baumgartner & Martin Piringer & Werner Knauder & Ivonne Anders & Konr, 2021. "Economic Risk Assessment by Weather-Related Heat Stress Indices for Confined Livestock Buildings: A Case Study for Fattening Pigs in Central Europe," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-22, February.
    3. Stefan J. Hörtenhuber & Verena Größbacher & Lisa Schanz & Werner J. Zollitsch, 2023. "Implementing IPCC 2019 Guidelines into a National Inventory: Impacts of Key Changes in Austrian Cattle and Pig Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.

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