Explaining relations between economic and life cycle assessment indicators for Dutch pig fattening farms

Economic and environmental indicators were quantified for 29 specialized fattening pig farms in 2007, based on data from the Dutch FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). Economic indicators used were: gross value added (GVA) expressed per 100 kg slaughter weight (SW) or per annual working unit. Environmental indicators used were deduced from a “cradle-to-farm-gate” life cycle assessment, and were: land occupation, non-renewable energy use, global warming potential, eutrophication potential and acidification potential, each expressed per 100 kg SW. Results on economic and environmental indicators are within the range of results in literature. Variation among farms was larger for economic than for environmental indicators. A high GVA on a pig fattening farm was associated with a low acidification and eutrophication potential. From partial least squares regression analysis, it was concluded that this relation was affected by farm characteristics related to scale or to type of feed used.