LCA Feed Databases: what are the differences?
LCA Feed databases: what are the differences?
Agri-footprint, EC Feed LCI database, GFLI database and Feedprint NL/International
We develop several LCA databases on feed ingredients and regularly receive questions from companies, industry associations and other organisations about the differences between these databases. Here we tell you more about these databases and highlight the differences. The databases are:
- Agri-footprint 4.0
- EC Feed Database
- Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI) database
- Feedprint NL 2.0
- Feedprint International
Overview of the databases
In most cases the foreground/activity data (specific data that defines a production system) in these databases is the same, but they differ in scope and the calculation methods used.Agri-footprint 4.0: This is a life cycle inventory (LCI) database for the agriculture and food sector. Version 4.0, released in 2017, contains data on approximately 5,000 products and processes. It contains many datasets on cultivation, transport, food processing and fertiliser production. The background databases used are the ELCD and USLCI databases. Agri-footprint can be used as a background database for studying agricultural and food products in general and as such its scope is broader than feed alone. Agri-footprint 5.0 is expected to be released in the summer of 2019.
EC Feed database: This database is generated from a selection of existing datasets that have been partially remodelled to fulfil the requirements of the European Commission for drafting a Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) compliant database. It contains 760 different feed materials used in the European market. The main difference from all the other databases is that this database is connected to PEF compliant background datasets (e.g. energy, transport).
GFLI-database: This database is provided by the Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI). One of the institute’s projects is to make available an LCA feed database containing datasets for feed ingredients. The database covers all the deliverables of the EC Feed database plus new additions from USDA and Canadian crop data and updates on feed materials from fish products. The database covers 162 more products than the EC Feed database. The modelling is the same as Agri-footprint 4.0 and many of the GFLI datasets are also published in Agri-footprint 4.0.
Feedprint NL 2.0: Feedprint 2.0 is an update of the first Feedprint version, which was released in 2013. The scope of this interactive tool is feed ingredients that are available on the Dutch market, covering 274 different feed products in total. The information on each raw material includes market mix data, with cultivation data from 60 different countries. Nevedi, the Dutch feed industry association, shares the impact data generated from the Feedprint LCI data to companies in a separate list. This Nevedi list is updated in response to questions from feed companies on missing ingredients and is growing rapidly. At some point these data will be implemented as an updated list in Feedprint.
Feedprint International: This is the international version of Feedprint NL. It is very similar to Feedprint NL, but has the European Union market as scope. It contains 134 products, each containing their own mixes and multiple cultivation data. The number of products is lower than in Feedprint NL, since specific Dutch feed materials, roughage and grasses are excluded from the international database.
Main differences between the databases
The method of collecting activity data (e.g. yield, NPK and water use) is very similar for each of the databases. The main differences are in scope, system boundaries, background data, activity data collection, energy use modelling, pesticides modelling and crop residues modelling. .- Background data: the same background data (ELCD, USLCI and Agri-footprint) are used in all the databases except the EC Feed database, which uses PEF compliant background datasets on energy and fertiliser production.
- Energy use at cultivation stage: Agri-footprint, EC Feed database and the GFLI database use the MEBOT database as the main source for energy use on farm. Feedprint NL and International use a new energy model, the ‘Energy model for crop cultivations’ developed in co-operation between Wageningen University and Blonk Consultants. The model uses the most recent specific indicators, such as yield, mechanisation factors and irrigation, to determine the energy use at cultivation stage more accurately.
- Activity data collection for cultivation: for most cultivations the activity data collection is very similar (yield, NPK, water use, etc.). For the United States and Canada, cultivation data are collected on state or province level. Emission modelling is the same for all cultivations.
- Pesticide data: In both Feedprint databases the inventoried datasets on pesticides are aggregated into active ingredients because toxicity related impacts are outside the scope of this database. Therefore, there might be small deviations in the environmental impact of pesticide production between the Feedprint and the other databases.
- Crop residues: For all databases the amount of ‘Above Ground Dry Matter’ (AGDM) in crop residues is calculated using IPCC defaults. However, in Feedprint the AGDM is corrected by the removal of the co-product. A similar approach will be used in Agri-footprint 5.0.
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This training course is a perfect way to gain a better understanding of carbon and environmental footprinting in this sector. Our trainers take you step by step through the landscape of footprinting, with a special focus on the animal production life cycle. They guide you from the theory to methodological standards and recent developments in the field, like the Global Feed LCA Institute (GLFI) and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). Of course, there will be plenty of room for discussion and questions. The training also includes various practical examples and case studies to help you to gain a deep understanding of the daily practice of carbon footprinting and life cycle assessment (LCA).
| Agri-footprint 4.0 | Agri-footprint 5.0 1 | EC Feed Database | GFLI | Feedprint NL 2.0 | Feedprint International | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geographical scope | EU/world | EU/world | EU | EU/USA/CA | NL | EU |
| Background datasets | AFP (+ELCD and USLCI) | AFP (+ELCD and USLCI) | PEF compliant | AFP (+ELCD and USLCI) | AFP (+ELCD and USLCI) | AFP (+ELCD and USLCI) |
| System boundaries | Cradle-to-gate | Cradle-to-market | Cradle-to-gate | Cradle-to-gate | Cradle-to-animal | Cradle-to-compound plant |
| Activity data cultivations | Same sources for all, except US | TBD | Same sources for all cultivations | Same sources for all, except US and Canada | Same sources for all, except US and Canada | Same sources for all, except US and Canada |
| Market mix processed products | Only for NL "at compound plant/NL" | TBD | Only for product groups | Only for product groups | For all products | For all products |
| (Delivered) datasets | 2918 products | TBD | 760 products | 962 products | 274 products | 134 products |
| Energy use cultivation | MEBOT | Energy model for crop cultivations | MEBOT | MEBOT (Canada = study) | Energy model for crop cultivations | Energy model for crop cultivations |
| Pesticides | Specific | Pesticide model | Specific | Specific | Aggregated | Aggregated |
| Crop residues | Not corrected | Corrected | Not corrected | Only Canada corrected | Corrected | Corrected |
| Availability | SimaPro and openLCA (licences needed) | Expected in 2019 for SimaPro and openLCA (licences needed) | Only to be used for PEF related studies | Freely available 2 | Freely available | Freely available |
| Format | LCA software, Excel | LCA software, Excel | LCA software | LCA software, Excel | Online tool | Online tool |
| More information | www.agri-footprint.com | www.agri-footprint.com | Methodology report | GFLI database | Feedprint NL - online tool | Feedprint International - online tool |
1 Agri-footprint 5.0: available in Q3 2019
2 The GFLI databases are only freely available in "system process format" . The more detailed "unit process" format is only available for GFLI members. Inventory results for both types of process formats are the same.
2 The GFLI databases are only freely available in "system process format" . The more detailed "unit process" format is only available for GFLI members. Inventory results for both types of process formats are the same.
More information
If you have questions about the databases,
please send an e-mail to Mike van Paassen or call +31 (0)182 579970.
