Dear Colleagues,

The consumption of fossil fuels has increased since the preindustrial revolution and thus the associated emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) into the environment due to human activities. Similarly, livestock farms are continuously developing more intensive systems of management that require a higher utilization of durable and non-durable inputs, which require the consumption of fossil fuels. These inputs are responsible for significant fossil energy requirements, which are related to the remarkable emission of GHG. Fossil energy consumption in agriculture is usually divided into two types, direct and indirect. The first refers to fuels and electricity that are directly converted into units of energy at the farm level; the second one refers to the cumulative energy embodied in all inputs used in the production process. In the last few decades, alternative approaches developed in data modeling have become significantly important in order to predict and manage livestock energy requirements and related environmental emissions. 

The intensive mechanization level has decreased the incidence of labor requirements for farm activities and increased the usage of tools, which require fossil fuels. A scientific literature and database review of current studies revealed that a large amount of information about livestock farms and GHG emissions have become available in recent years; however, these outcomes are largely fragmented. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector is a critical issue for more sustainable animal production. To achieve this aim, farmers, policy makers, and consumers need clear information about the energy and environmental influence of the livestock product chain.

The aim of this Special Issue of Energies aims to provide innovative experimental research, models and tools focusing on direct and indirect energy requirements in livestock farms, including the related economic and environmental impacts. This Special Issue may include, but is not limited to:

• On-farm diesel and electricity usage
• Embodied energy analysis in durable inputs
• Environmental impact of energy requirements in livestock activities
• Mathematical modelling of on-farm energy consumption
• Economic assessments associated to energy demands
• Renewable energy production in livestock farms

Dr. Maria Caria
Dr. Giuseppe Todde
Guest Editors

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• Agricultural machinery and mechanization
• Precision farming
• Energy requirements in livestock activities
• Renewable and Sustainable energy management in animal farms
• Life cycle assessment