Pork production in Thuringia - management effects on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. 1. Depiction of the state in 2015

The formation of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gases (GHG) related to pork production is scrutinized in a fictitious enterprise that comprises 1,000 fattening places, the affiliated piglet and basic breeding herds as well as the herds of purebred grandparent animals. It also provides the necessary feed production as well as the provision of mineral fertilizers, lime, energy and water. Production conditions in the model reflect the situation in Thüringen (Thuringia), Germany. The most important NH3 sources are animal houses and mineral fertilizer application. GHG emissions arise mainly from feed production, in particular from the release of nitrous oxide. Within animal production itself, the majority of emissions are attributed to the fattening stage. They exceed those from piglet production. Emissions from basic breeding herds are almost negligible. However, it is inadequate to restrict estimates only to the fattening stage. Our results show clearly that potential emission reduction measures have to take the entire production chain into account.