87% of emissions in layer poultry production are from feed

Sourcing alternative ingredients from different regions can help lower emissions on farms More than 87% of emissions in layer production comes from feed, according to a research project by Promar International Ltd., commissioned by the British Free Range Egg Producers’ Association (BFREPA). Most of those emissions are carbon dioxide, said Heather Webb, senior environmental consultant for Promar. “That differs from other sectors within agriculture,” she said during a recent webinar. “We know livestock, so cattle and sheep and ruminants, emit mostly methane, and in the arable sector, cereal grain growers, they emit mostly nitrous oxide linked to use of nitrogen fertilizers.” Because layer poultry diets typically contain 16% to 19% protein, much of which is sourced from soy, they can have a higher carbon footprint. “Historically, soy meal has been imported to the U.K. from South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil and Paraguay, and importing product from those countries ...