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Eco-Efficiency Indicators in Traditional Iberian Pig Farms in the Dehesa Ecosystem: Integrated Economic and Environmental Performance

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Publicado en:Agriculture vol. 15, no. 23 (2025), p. 2515-2533
Autor principal: García-Gudiño, Javier
Otros Autores: Perea José, Font-i-Furnols, Maria, Angón Elena, Blanco-Penedo, Isabel
Publicado:
MDPI AG
Materias:
Sustainable production
Livestock
Feeds
Efficiency
Questionnaires
Eutrophication
Life cycle assessment
Farms
Economics
Environmental performance
Sustainability
Multivariate statistical analysis
Livestock farming
Cluster analysis
Ecosystems
Climate change
Extensive farming
Agricultural ecosystems
Discriminant analysis
Natural resources
Hogs
Life cycle analysis
Statistical analysis
Energy demand
Environmental impact
Multivariate analysis
Swine production
Acidification
Variables
Ecological models
Integrated approach
Livestock production
Economic
Acceso en línea:Citation/Abstract
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Resumen:The traditional Iberian pig production system in the dehesa ecosystem of southwestern Spain and Portugal represents a significant cultural and ecological model of extensive livestock farming currently facing sustainability challenges. This study aimed to identify eco-efficiency indicators by integrating economic and environmental dimensions across traditional Iberian pig farms. Structured surveys were conducted across 68 farms, complemented by life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts including climate change, acidification, eutrophication, energy demand and land occupation. Multivariate statistical analysis identified two distinct farm types: Mixed-orientation Farms (MF, 45.59% of farms), characterised by diversified production phases and greater reliance on external inputs, and Acorn-Fed Farms (AF, 54.41% of farms), specialised in acorn-based fattening with greater dehesa ecosystem integration. AF demonstrated significantly lower environmental impacts across all categories except land occupation, with reductions ranging from 9% to 18% compared to MF. Furthermore, AF achieved superior eco-efficiency with gross margins 15% higher than MF and economic returns per unit of environmental impact 32% to 59% higher across all indicators. These findings demonstrate that farrow-to-finish farms specialised in montanera systems can simultaneously achieve greater profitability and reduced environmental impacts, providing a replicable model for sustainable livestock production in Mediterranean agroecosystems.
ISSN:2077-0472
DOI:10.3390/agriculture15232515
Fuente:Agriculture Science Database