Egg Production GHG Emissions Down 71% Since 1960

by | Nov 4, 2013

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eggsUS egg production has increased since 1930, but the greenhouse gas emissions associated with egg production have fallen by more than 71 percent overt that time period, according to research by the Egg Industry Center.

In 2010, a kilogram of eggs produced 2.1 kg of CO2e emissions compared to 7.2 kg of CO2e in 1960, according to the report.

The improvements are due to increased feed efficiency, advancements in hen housing and manure management. These advancements also mean that farms now use less water and energy on a daily basis, the research says.

Feed efficiency plays a key role in reducing environmental impacts. Because of advancements in nutrition and bird breeding, young hens now require 48 percent less food during the rearing period than they did in 1960 and the laying hens have 42 percent better feed conversion. Using 1960 technology to produce the 2010 egg supply would have required 78 million more hens, 1.3 million more acres of corn and 1.8 million more acres of soybeans, the report says.

The vast majority of manure from laying hens is recycled into crop production, providing nutrients for plants, contributing to healthy soils, saving energy and reducing commercial fertilizer use.

Advancements in hen housing, such as improved building ventilation, temperature control, better lighting and a more secure housing environment, help to ensure that hens are protected from disease-carrying wildlife, as well as lowering energy and water consumption. These techniques have been widely adopted by egg farmers across the country, leading to healthier hens with lower mortality and higher rates of egg production, according to the Egg Industry Center.

According to a UN Food and Agriculture Organization report released in September, greenhouse gas emissions generated by the livestock sector could be slashed by as much as 30 percent using existing technology and best practices.

The FAO said that emissions can be cut by using energy-saving equipment and improving feed digestibility and feed practices, which reduces methane production during digestion. Ranchers and farmers can cut emissions by switching to low-emission intensity feeds and reducing the share of herds dedicated to maintenance and not production, the report says.

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