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Organic Camelina Meal as a Replacement for Soybean Meal in Swine Finishing Diets: A Life Cycle Analysis Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Joel Tallaksen

    (West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN 56267, USA)

  • Lee Johnston

    (West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN 56267, USA
    Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA)

  • Russ Gesch

    (USDA-ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, Morris, MN 56267, USA)

  • Frank Forcella

    (USDA-ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, Morris, MN 56267, USA)

  • Yuzhi Li

    (West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN 56267, USA
    Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA)

Abstract

The production of organic meat and dairy products relies on limited organic protein meal supplies. Camelina ( Camelina sativa L.) may sustainably increase organic protein meal supplies. Using grain production trial data, research literature, and camelina feeding trial results, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fossil energy impacts were modeled for inclusion of 10% camelina meal in swine finishing diets using life cycle analysis (LCA). Two key grain production scenarios were examined: field trial relay (FTR) camelina and a higher yielding as expected relay (AER) camelina, with a baseline monocrop soybean (MCS). At the grain production stage, the FTR, AER, and MCS scenarios emitted 0.65, 0.43, and 0.13 kg of CO 2 eq./kg DM grain harvested, respectively. At the meal production stage, 0.61, 0.40, and 0.15 kg of CO 2 eq. were emitted per kg of protein meal from the FTR, AER, and MCS scenarios, respectively. GHG emissions from the finishing phase of pork production were 1.43, 1.38, and 1.31 kg CO 2 eq./kg live weight pigs produced for the FTR, AER, and MCS scenarios, respectively. Findings were similar for fossil energy use. The higher environmental burdens from camelina grain production due to reduced yields of both camelina and soybean resulted in negative environmental performance in camelina-amended diets.

Suggested Citation

  • Joel Tallaksen & Lee Johnston & Russ Gesch & Frank Forcella & Yuzhi Li, 2025. "Organic Camelina Meal as a Replacement for Soybean Meal in Swine Finishing Diets: A Life Cycle Analysis Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1443-:d:1587791
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Justin J. Delver & Zachary K. Smith, 2024. "Opportunities for Camelina Meal as a Livestock Feed Ingredient," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Stephen Gregg & Jeffrey A. Coulter & Jeffrey S. Strock & Ronghao Liu & Axel Garcia y Garcia, 2022. "Double-Cropped Winter Camelina with and without Added Nitrogen: Effects on Productivity and Soil Available Nitrogen," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Fabrizio D’Ascenzo & Giuliana Vinci & Marco Savastano & Aurora Amici & Marco Ruggeri, 2024. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production from Different Biomasses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-21, August.
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