MANURE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE EMISSIONS IN PIG AND POULTRY PRODUCTION: INSIGHTS FROM LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT STUDIES

The intensification of pig and poultry production has raised growing concerns over their environmental footprint, particularly related to ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, improved manure management practices play an important role in mitigating these emissions to enhance the sustainability of livestock systems. This review synthesizes current knowledge on manure management strategies for reducing such emissions and their integration into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies in pig and poultry production. It explores the interactions of several practices, highlighting mitigation strategies such as anaerobic digestion, composting, and manure incorporation. Furthermore, the integration of these strategies into LCA frameworks is discussed, emphasizing how methodological choices may affect results. Although anaerobic digestion and improved application techniques consistently show potential for emission reduction, some trade-offs remain critical. By identifying effective mitigation strategies and emphasizing the importance of holistic LCA approaches, this review provides insights to guide the development of more sustainable practices. This highlights the need for science-based manure management strategies to support sustainable pig and poultry production. Future research should focus on standardizing LCA approaches, considering underexplored impacts such as odor, antimicrobial residues, and biodiversity, while advancing cost-effective mitigation strategies and regionally adapted solutions.