Environmental consequences of pig production scenarios using biomass from rotational grass-clover leys as feed

Production of pork based on monoculture cereal-based cropping systems causes substantial environmental pressures and feed-food competition. This study evaluated the consequences five different scenarios involving inclusion rotational grass-clover leys incorporation biomass in pig diets: (1) a conventional reference scenario without biomass; (2) with replacement feed silage total mixed ration, i.e., replacing other feed; (3) an organic using for enrichment purposes only; (4) additional green manuring; (5) pasture to replace feed. The functional unit was 1 kg slaughter weight system boundary from cradle farm gate. We used life cycle assessment, introductory carbon balance method human edible conversion efficiency assess performance production system. Introducing as ration diets, reduced climate impact (-17%), eutrophication (-7.1%), marine (-15%), energy use (-13%), competition (-20%) per meat, while acidification (+2.7%) land (+1.5%) were slightly increased compared reference. lower (without considering soil change) attributable fertilizer diesel needs due pre-crop effects. Overall, feeding decreased several categories, improved by introduction leys.