Environmental Impact of Using Specialty Feed Ingredients in Swine and Poultry Production (Essay Sample)

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Environmental impact of using specialty feed ingredients in swine and poultry production: A life cycle assessment
Global projections of population promise a significant surge of the population in the coming years. This will lay immense strain on the resources at hand within the global society, which are already scarce. Consequently, the research into and adoption of environmental-friendly programs is significant in ensuring that resources remain sustainable for posterity. As such, the research titled "Environmental impact of using specialty feed ingredients in swine and poultry production: A life cycle assessment" published on June 3, 2016 looked into these options with regard to poultry and swine farming to reduce the carbon footprint. This research was carried out by a team of specialists of animal farming and environmental science. Among them were Kebreab, from the Animal Science Department of the University of California, and Finkbeiner, from the Department of Environmental Technology, Technische Universität Berlin. Also, Liedke and Deimling hail from Thinkstep AG, Hauptstraße.Finally, Binder, a member of the SFIS Management Board, also helped in the research. They carried out a comprehensive study to figure out the impact of using animal feed with and without supplementation in poultry and swine farming in various regions to figure out the impact on the environment. With all the research considered, supplementation of poultry and pig feed with amino acids and phytase contributes significantly to the carbon footprint of these activities from production to disposal and waste management. The paper for analysis is a research paper that relies on heavily on sampling data from regions as well as secondary sources. The reliability of the content from this genre of writing is commendable because they analyze numerous sources to come up with an answer to trivial issues.
Equipped with proper knowledge of the field, the authors have managed to present well-supported evidence in the entire work. The research is presented in a typical scientific structure with the methodology of obtaining the findings, results of the findings and then conclusions well-articulated and referenced wherever need be. It is without a doubt that high levels of professionalism were considered in this work as the authors went ahead to involve some professional bodies and organizations during their research work (Kebreab et. Al 2664). The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) in association with The European Union Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) among others, provide sufficient and credible information for professionals to make informed decisions on the matter. Acknowledgment of International standards (ISO 14040/44) during this study by the authors makes it globally acceptable as quality work recognized at international circles of discourse. This could not have come at a better time as, "there has not been a comprehensive study that assessed the impact of multiple uses of SFI on the environmental impact" (Kebreab et. Al 2665). Therefore, such definitive research helps professionals and scholars in awareness and decision making.
The research employed numerous methods to cover the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comprehensively so as to ensure that all the variables were accounted for significantly. The activities from which the environmental impact is calculated are those high up in manufacturing and sourcing for raw materials. This resulted in the classification of the feed production activities in to 5 groups: "production of base feed ingredients, production of SFI, preparation of feed, animal husbandry, and manure management" (Kebreab et. Al 2665). At the consumer level, the management of manure was the only consideration for the research as all other activities at this level remained constant across the board. There had to be considerations for the different animal feeding patterns across the various regions employing either of three alternatives.
Using charts, graphs and tables to explain various concepts while showing the outcomes of the project, ensures that the information reaches the readers in more comprehensible and presentable modes possible. Choosing to employ charts, tables and diagrams in their work made it easier for the audience to understand various complex theories and processes which otherwise, would have been unexplainable. The tone used throughout in the study has been scientific. This tone makes it possible for the audience of scholars to regard the paper highly as it addresses a serious issue for consideration. It important to drive the aim of the research home otherwise the whole process will be useless.
Livestock production contributes immensely to the greenhouse gases emission, water pollution, ocean acidification and consumption of primary energy at a higher rate. That indeed, SFI have a significant impact on global warming mitigation in the immediate future by ensuring that the amount of carbon and nutrients released to the biosphere is of much lesser impact compared to before. Some of these problems "The temperature rise of the atmosphere over the last century has had far-reaching effects on the oceans and forests" (Kebreab et. Al 2679). These two sensitive ecosystems which act as the natural carbon sinks for sequestration have immensely been compromised as a result of this. Oceanic acidification, eutrophication in freshwater bodies and deforestation of indigenous vegetation cover are all attributed to the changing face of the planet as engineered by man. The temperature rise of the atmosphere over the last century has had far-reaching effects on the oceans and forests. These two sensitive ecosystems which act as the natural carbon sinks for sequestration have immensely been compromised as a result of this. Oceanic acidification, eutrophication in freshwater bodies and deforestation of indigenous vegetation cover are all attributed to the changing face of the planet as engineered by man. Further, Kebreab et al. (2016), noted the possibility is because the use of supplemented AA and Phytase decimates nutrient input without any impact on productivity. The result of this is the significant reduction in GHG emissions, acidity and eutrophication in areas with limitations of nitrogen and phosphate. The use of logos was evident within this scenario helps to understand the entirety of the activity in order to note the difference in various choices of animal feed.
There is little detail lacking in this paper as Kebreab and fellow authors cover the topic exhaustively leaving the reader with little to desire. From having the soybeans supplemented feeds that used enormous tracts of lands to produce to the simple supplementary AA and Phytase that require little space and providing quality nutrient content, the paper manages to live up to the expectation of providing adequate evidence as to why the SFIs have a potential and should be considered globally as a mitigation measure to global warming and climate change. The authors have an added advantage of the acceptance of global warming and environmental degradation as problems in the current world. Such research is what the society needs to handle its p...