Land Use for Edible Protein of Animal Origin—A Review

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe growing world population has led to a higher demand for more and better quality food. In the future, there will be increasingly strong competition for arable land and other non-renewable resources. Proteins of animal origin are very valuable sources of essential nutrients, but their production consumes resources and causes emissions. The aim of this study was to calculate exemplarily the land use for production of edible animal protein from different animal species and categories in consideration of important influencing factors. Large differences were found with the highest amounts per kilogram of body weight produced by broiler chickens and the lowest yields in edible protein and the highest land need observed for beef cattle.AbstractThe present period is characterized by a growing world population and a higher demand for more and better quality food, as well as other products for an improved standard of living. In the future, there will be increasingly strong competition for arable land and non-renewable resources such as fossil carbon-sources, water, and some minerals, as well as between food, feed, fuel, fiber, flowers, and fun (6 F’s). Proteins of animal origin like milk, meat, fish, eggs and, probably, insects are very valuable sources of essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins, but their production consumes some non-renewable resources including arable land and causes considerable emissions. Therefore, this study´s objective was to calculate some examples of the land use (arable land and grassland) for production of edible animal protein taking into consideration important animal species/categories, levels of plant and animal yields, the latter estimated with and without co-products from agriculture, and the food/biofuel industry in animal feeding. There are large differences between animal species/categories and their potential to produce edible protein depending on many influencing variables. The highest amounts per kilogram body weight are produced by growing broiler chicken followed by laying hens and dairy cows; the lowest yields in edible protein and the highest land need were observed for beef cattle. This review clearly indicates that the production of food of animal origin is a very complex process, and selective considerations, i.e., focusing on single factors, do not provide an assessment that reflects the complexity of the subject.

A review of the multiple benefits of mussel farming

“…In the future, there will be strong competition for arable land and non‐renewable resources, water, feed, food, as well as between areas for settlements and natural protected areas (Flachowsky et al . ).…”

Challenges for Plant Breeders from the View of Animal Nutrition

“…Therefore, some authors propose a redefinition of agricultural yield and agriculture in general: "from tons to people nourished per hectare" [29,45] and ask for more sustainable animal agriculture [52][53][54]. On the other hand, changing the eating patterns [55] and eating less or no livestock products, especially meat, are often seen as possible solutions to reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture [56][57][58] and to reduce the per capita land requirements [59,60]. In this context, it should be mentioned that the use of permanent pastures, which represent a significant proportion of the agricultural area for the production of food, is only possible with food-producing animals.…”

“…In this regard, more attention should be paid to the need of limited natural resources per amount of animal product, expressed as footprints per product such as "Water Footprints", [68,69] "Mineral (especially phosphorus; P) Footprints", "Land (arable or total land) Footprints" [59,[70][71][72]. These Footprints are given in kg; L or tons per unit of product and characterize the efficiency of various production processes.…”

Climate Relevant Emissions from Animal Production and Reduction Potentials

“…Therefore, they will continue to drive the world demand for all agricultural products, including food of animal origin [32]. Higher food amounts of animal origin require higher plant yields and/or more area for feed production [33]; [34]; [35]; [36] and more animals and/or higher animal yields as well an increase in agricultural trade. Therefore, some authors propose a redefinition of agricultural yield and agriculture in general: -from tonnes to people nourished per hectare‖ [31]; [17] and ask for more sustainable animal agriculture (e.g., [37], [38]; [39].…”

“…phosphorus; P) Footprints‖, -Land (arable or total land) Footprints‖ (see [54]; [55]; [56], [36]. These Footprints are given in kilograms, litres or tonnes per unit product and characterize the efficiency of various production processes.…”