DECiDE is an online tool that evaluates the multi-performance of Walloon farms from environmental, economic and social aspects. Using a life cycle analysis approach, it quantifies, among other things, greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, as well as energy consumption on these farms.
Until now, DECiDE has covered field crops, dairy cattle, beef cattle, dairy sheep and meat sheep. This integration now makes it possible to produce assessments for specialist pig farms – breeders, breeder-fatteners and fatteners – as well as mixed farms with several of the above-mentioned units. Pig farming in Wallonia is typically seen on family farms, where it is often used as a means of diversification. In 2024, there were 369 pig farms, of which almost 20% were of differentiated quality or AB. This diversity in breeding practices is reflected in the DECiDE tool, through the different housing options for pigs (slatted, litter or free-range) and also with the addition of almost thirty typical diets, distinguishing between the different production chains.
The socio-economic indicators developed previously have also been adapted to pig farming. These updates address on-call work in particular, which takes into account the non-daily work inherent in the cyclical nature of this type of breeding (e.g. insemination, assistance with farrowing or piglet weaning).
DECiDE's future developments include the integration of other activities present in Wallonia, in particular poultry production.
If you are interested in specific training on the pig module, or if you are not yet familiar with this tool and would like to find out more, please contact us.
