Abstract
We look at the environmental impact of formulating diets for an animal production system, namely the case of growing pigs. The classic approach in animal production is to use a growth model based on the least-cost diet formulation. This optimal diet is generally established by linear programming. Such an approach can lead to adverse environmental effects in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus excretions. Multi-criteria (two and three criteria) models are proposed with the aim of addressing both economic and environmental considerations. We apply the models to two real-life contexts: Québec (Canada) and France, and make some comparisons. We show that important reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus excretions can be achieved at relatively low costs in both contexts.
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Dubeau, F., Julien, PO. & Pomar, C. Formulating diets for growing pigs: economic and environmental considerations. Ann Oper Res 190, 239–269 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-009-0633-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-009-0633-1