Pigs

Production of pork produces approximately half of the Greenhouse Gases (GHG) per kilo of meat compared to beef or lamb, since pigs are monogastric and produce only a fraction of the methane of ruminants. Modern pig production is also increasingly efficient at converting plant protein to meat protein.

Therefore, with some good planning on feedstuff procurement, efficient slurry storage and investment in renewables it is within the grasp of many pig producers to move towards zero carbon meat production. What a wonderful opportunity for British Pig Producers!

Swedish pig producers are leading this development, with one of the largest meat processors, Scan, planning to be net-zero by 2030 and climate positive by 2045. A Scan pig producer now produces 1.6 CO2 emissions per kilo of meat compared to 6 CO2 emissions per kilo for standard pork production.

One of the opportunities for Pig Producers to drive towards net zero is to deploy Solar PV systems to generate their own electricity to offset the GHG produced by the unit. For example, a 150kW Solar PV roof array will save approximately 80 tonnes of Carbon per year.  

To calculate the potential for solar electricity generation for your pig unit, please contact us and one of our Farm Energy Consultants will visit the farm to discuss the options on design, energy production, storage, carbon savings and returns on investment.