ABSTRACT
Medium-scale pig production systems, which make up 30 % of Mexico's pig farms, face two key obstacles impacting their economic and financial performance. The first is the absence of a sales plan based on pigs' weight, which negatively affects both profitability and resource management. The second obstacle is inadequate waste management, which hampers efforts to mitigate environmental impacts generated by pig farms. Based on this criterion, this study aims to determine technical and economic optimum levels of a medium-scale pig farm and evaluate its associated environmental impacts. Based on the last farm sale weight (116.3 kg - base scenario), technical and economic optimum levels were estimated using a production function, resulting in a technical optimum of 155 kg and an economic optimum of 127 kg. An environmental assessment of the pig fattening process was carried out following the principles of the Life Cycle Analysis methodological framework. Using a cradle-to-farm gate perspective, and establishing 1 kg of live-weight pig as the functional unit. The results indicated that production at maximum weight level (155 kg), increased environmental impacts by 60 % to 75 % compared to the base scenario. In contrast, at the maximum economic benefit level (127 kg), environmental impacts increased by 5 % to 10 %. Feed production represented the largest contribution (over 74 %) in six impact categories. The results provide valuable information for medium-scale pig farms to mitigate the environmental burdens associated with the optimal production weight and to direct efforts towards achieving future economic and environmental efficiency.
ABSTRACT
To estimate the economic and financial viability of a pig farm in central sub-tropical Mexico within a 5-year planning horizon, a Monte Carlo simulation model was utilized. Net returns were projected using simulated values for the distribution of input and product processes, establishing 2021 as base scenario. A stochastic modelling approach was employed to determine the economic and financial outlook. The findings reveal a panorama of economic and financial viability. Net income increased by 555%, return on assets rose from 3.36% in 2022 to 11.34% in 2026, and the probability of decapitalization dropped from 58% to 13%, respectively in the aforesaid periods. Similarly, the probability of obtaining negative net income decreased from 40% in 2022 to 18% in 2026. The technological, productive, and economic management of the production unit allowed for a favorable scenario within the planning horizon. There is a growing interest in predicting the economic sectors worth investing in and supporting, considering their economic and development performance. This research offers both methodological and scientific evidence to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a planning schedule and validating the suitability of the pork sector for public investment and support.
Subject(s)
Farms , Mexico , Animals , Swine , Farms/economics , Models, Economic , Animal Husbandry/economics , Monte Carlo Method , Prospective Studies , IncomeABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to analyze the efficiency of a system of treatment of organic swine waste as a management tool in the transformation of organic waste into products of value in the swine industry. The residues from the pig farm and the products obtained (compost, biol and biogas) were quantified and characterized, as were the energy used within the process and the distribution of the products. The negative impacts on the soil and adjacent river, as well as the efficiency of the compost as fertilizers and biol in grass and corn crops, were evaluated. The subsystems were: S1-slurry separation, S2-anaerobic digestion, S3-composting solid fraction of slurry, and S4-composting of dead tissues. S2 was not efficient in obtaining biol, with COD and TSS required. The process requires 31.1 kW/d of electrical energy and 3.22 L/d of diesel. The biogas (35,486.0 m3/d) is used for cooking food and heating houses, whilst the compost (82 kg/d) and biol (7.72 m3/d) replace inorganic fertilizers in crops. The system was adequate for the transformation of 38,109.0 kg/d of waste into valuable products. The biol needs further treatment time or to couple biodigesters-another treatment. The pig farm can be considered eco-efficient.
