How Is Livestock Farming Becoming A Sustainable Practice: A Brief Overview

Livestock farming has been associated with human lifestyles since the primitive ages. 

It is the raising of farmed animals for several purposes. Some farmers raise them to supply milk and meat. Some of them also raise them to derive animal products like skin, wool, etc.

Let’s look into the livestock farming process in detail. And we will also have a look at the requirements, global impacts, market demands, etc. Let’s check out the benefits, drawbacks, and all that you need to know about it. 

What is Livestock Farming?

Livestock farming is a crucial aspect of a nation that is economically strong. This is a popular type of agriculture. It allows a nation to store huge quantities of food grains and crops. The storing of these food crops takes place in concentrated form.

The farmed animals provide meat and dairy products for human consumption. It also provides food security at times of natural calamities. Also, meat and dairy food items provide the nation’s population with the nutritional values that are required. 

Types of Livestock Farming:

Livestock farming plays a very important role in securing the global food system. Let’s look into the different segments of livestock farming. 

Dairy Farming: Dairy farming provides milk and other dairy products to a nation’s population. It also provides employment opportunities and boosts the nation’s economy. The increasing demand for dairy products is properly fulfilled by dairy farming. It is a sustainable agricultural practice.

Poultry Farming: In poultry farming, farmed animals are raised to provide meat and eggs. The initial investment in poultry farming is relatively low. Meat and eggs have high demand in the market. Most of the organic fertilizers come from poultry waste. The farming techniques are sustainable and they provide an uninterrupted protein supply to a country’s population. 

Beef and Meat Farming: In this farming process, animals like cattle, pigs, chickens, rabbits, etc are raised for meat. The meat is a good source of iron, protein, zing, and other vitamins. It also helps maintain the grasslands and improves the soil quality. 

Sheep and Goat Farming: Sheep and goats can provide meat, milk, and wool. These products are in high demand by the global population. The manure also helps in improving soil quality. Sheep and goats can manually control the weed. The initial investment is relatively lower with this farming process.

How Does Livestock Farming Offer Food Security?

According to reports, milk, and lean beef are good sources of vitamin B12 and iron. Livestock farming provides the world with meat, milk, wool, etc. 

A lot of farmers invest in livestock farming due to its great economic importance. Some of them practice mixed farming where they grow crops and animals. Their manure acts as organic fertilizer leading to better crop production. 

During and after the Second World War, the demand for meat and dairy products increased. This resulted in increased livestock production. Nations like America, Africa, and some Asian countries saw a growth in livestock farming. 

The Global Impact of Livestock Farming

Livestock farming is a crucial aspect of today’s agriculture. The practice is highly popular throughout the world. Several countries in Europe and the USA have seen growth in livestock farming. 

In this farming process, selective animals are raised. Also, with modern technologies and scientific developments, farmers can raise them planfully leading to better food production. The increased demand for animal-derived products has increased the rate of livestock farming as well. 

Several animals are raised depending on the location, market demands, and weather. Cattle, sheep, and British iconic breeds were raised in the United Kingdom earlier. Now, Charolais cattle. Texel sheep and other native breeds are reared in the UK these days. 

The Popularity of Organic Livestock Farming Process

The livestock farming process is highly popular throughout the world.

That is why, the World Bank invests a huge sum to make it a sustainable practice. In some countries, livestock farmers invest in veterinary and prevention of animal disease services. It focuses on the efficient production of food items, maintaining animal ratios, and providing the animals with organic feed. 

Sustainable Livestock Development Program was approved in Kazakhstan in the year 2020. It was launched to develop a beef sector that is sustainable in nature. Several other measures were taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing food productivity. 

Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and a lot of other developing nations are experiencing a rise in livestock farming practices. Also, an area in Argentina called Patagones has started practicing livestock farming on a large scale. 

In Armenia, Mexico, and Uruguay, banks are investing funds to support livestock farmers. Vietnam and Colombia have received financial support from banks to support more than 150000 farmers and to promote sustainable cattle farming. Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project in Sahel was launched to support sedentary livestock farming.

The Market Demands of Livestock Farming

Livestock farming provides small farmholders with multiple income sources. If you have a little knowledge about animal farming, you can easily earn your livelihood. According to a report by FAO, livestock farming constitutes almost 40% of the world’s total farming output. 

Livestock farming also provides food security to the world’s 1.3 billion people. It is a sustainable agriculture practice and does not require expensive inputs. Reports say, almost 500 million people rely on livestock farming for income. 

The ability to maintain a healthy biodiversity makes it a popular agricultural practice. In rural as well as urban areas, livestock farming provides people with multiple employment opportunities. 

In low and middle-income countries, this farming practice plays an important role in securing food chains. 

The only concern is the rise of greenhouse gas emissions in nature. It gives birth to carbon dioxide in nature, around 14.5% of the total human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases. Researchers are trying to invest in technologies that would multiply animal production while limiting greenhouse gas emissions. 

Top 6 Animals for Livestock Farming:

Livestock farming involves the raising of selective animals. Even if you hold small farms, you can take care of the livestock and earn from multiple sources. It is a good and stable source of generating income with just minimal effort and knowledge. Let’s look into the most popular types of animals that farmers raise in livestock farming. 

The Most Common Livestock:

Chickens: Raising chickens is easier and you can easily start raising them at small farms. Chickens are comparatively easy to breed. They provide a lot of income sources for the farmers. 

They provide the market with eggs and based on the demand, the production can be accelerated. Hens provide a constant supply of eggs and incubators can help you quicken the breeding process. 

Chickens also provide the world population with a supply of meat. According to a report, Americans only consume almost 8 billion chickens in a year. This is considered one of the most profitable income sources for livestock farmers. Different countries raise different types of chickens to provide the local communities with endless meat sources. 

Since raising chicken is an organic farming process, it generates a good amount of marginal profit for small farmers. The food items produced by organic farming processes usually generate high sale prices in the market.  The farmers can also sell chicks, roosters, and pullets to earn a few extra bucks. 

Goats: The goat meat is widely popular in a number of countries. It is scarce in countries like the United States. It is more widely available in Asian countries like India. Also, the Middle Eastern population enjoys goat meat and they prefer it particularly because of its unique flavor and leanness. 

Goats do not only provide meat but also, provide the markets with milk. It is quite popular because of its high vitamin and mineral content. Goat milk acts as a raw material for several food industries like cheese and yogurt industries. Also, it is supplied to the lotion, soap, and cream industries. 

The farmers can also sell their goats to generate income. The breeding rate of goats is higher as they give birth to four kids in a year. The farmers might also rent the kids and goats for weed control and generate income. 

Not-So-Traditional Livestock Farming:

Bees: Farming bees is not a traditional farming practice. However, it can provide the farmers with great earning opportunities. The small farmholders can set up some beehives to raise bees. It can help them harvest products like honey, and beeswax. 

Organic honey has high demand in the market. Also, in countries like the United States, people use organically produced honey for cooking and a lot of other uses. That is why, the production of honey can be considered as a lucrative income source for livestock farmers.

They can also rent the beehives and earn money. Bees can effectively pollinate crops and many farmers are ready to pay for these services. Bees can result in better crop yield through pollination. 

Rabbits: Rabbits are raised in small farms. Farmers only need to have access to small rooms to raise rabbits. Also, they breed very quickly. Annually they can produce up to 12 bunnies. This is the reason that rabbits are ideal preferences for novice livestock farmers. 

Rabbit meat is also a great alternative to red meat. The high protein and low-fat content of rabbit meat is in high market demand. Raising rabbits requires comparatively less amount of feed. They are ideal for urban homesteads as well. 

Farmers can generate earnings by selling their manure. They produce a huge amount of manure that is highly demanded by organic farmers. Even kids can also pet them and it makes rabbit raising a viable and profitable option for livestock farmers. 

The Most Profitable Livestock:

Cattle: Cattle are very easy to raise. Raising cattle can create multiple income opportunities for the farmers. Small and large farms raise cattle to produce meat.

Farmers derive a lot of other products as well like milk, butter, cheese, etc. They earn high marginal profits by selling these in the markets. According to a report, every American consumed almost 661 pounds of dairy products in the year 2021. That is why, cattle raising is a steady income source for small farmers.

If you want to start dairy farming, you need to have some basic knowledge of how to raise cattle. You also need to learn pasture management and should provide them with proper veterinary care. 

They can also sell beef at higher prices in the market if they have practiced organic farming methods. Also, they can earn significant profits by selling bulls and calves in the market.  They can also rent the herds for grazing purposes. 

Pigs: Farmers prefer to raise pigs since they require small spaces to breed. They only need to create spaces for feeding them. A particular waste area should be there for the healthy growth of the pigs. 

The cost associated with their feed is significantly low. They feed on food scraps that are very easy to collect. Also, pigs easily gain weight. Farmers will get huge profits by selling them in the market for the purpose of consumption. 

Pigs give birth to 10 piglets and that too, every five months. The fast breeding makes pig raising an ideal choice for small livestock farmers. The only thing is they need to be particularly careful about cleaning the stalls to maintain hygiene. 

The Feed for Livestock:

The constant supply of essential feed to the livestock is a crucial part of livestock farming. Let’s discuss the popular types of feed that farmers usually offer to the farmed animals. 

Pasture: Grasses and legumes are the primary feed sources for livestock farmers. Usually, most farmed animals like horses, cattle, goats, and sheep graze on the pasture.

Molasses: Farmers sometimes offer a water solution mixed with sugar, minerals, and hemicellulose in concentrated forms. This provides the animals with energy and acts as a healthy appetizer.

Concentrated mixtures: These mixtures are power-packed protein sources required for the farmed animals. It provides them with significant energy. It is usually a mixture of cereal grains, brans, tapiocas, oil cakes, etc. 

Soybeans: This is widely consumed by most of the farmed animals. These are good sources of protein. 

Slaughterhouse Waste: The waste of slaughterhouses gets converted into animal feed through chemical, thermal, and enzymatic techniques. However, some countries have restrictions on practicing these techniques due to potential health hazards.

Food waste: The food waste collected from the cafeterias or restaurants can be good feed for animals. 

Some other items that animals can feed on include sugar beet pulp, cereal grains, silage crops, pineapple bran, brewers’ grain, etc.

Animals need to get proper dietary nutrition for healthy growth. They should feed on food rich in vitamins A, K, E,  D, Niacin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Choline, Biotin, etc.  

Pigs need to feed on food items rich in protein, minerals, fat, and carbohydrates. Manganese, Selenium, Iodine, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Amino Acids, etc, are some of the important macro-nutrients that farmed animals need. Some of the popular feed rich in these macro-nutrients are sorghum, barley, milo, oats, wheat, etc.

Preventive Measures for Diseases of Livestock:

Farmed animals might suffer from various diseases. Farmers should take preventive measures and take care of their livestock. 

A common disease that cattle usually suffer from is brucellosis. Usually, it is seen in developed countries. It causes fever in humans when consumed by cattle milk. Leptospirosis causes loss of weight and fever. Cattle also used to suffer from bovine tuberculosis, but it is quite under control these days. 

Farmed animals also suffer from rabies caused by the bite of animals infected with this disease. It was widely seen in North America, Central America, New Zealand, and Australia. Some of the most common diseases caused by mosquito bites include Anaplasmosis and Anthrax.

Diseases caused by flies include Rinderpest which results in high fever.  Other diseases that cattle suffer from are Mastitis, Pinkeye, Vibriosis, vermifuges, etc. causing severe health damage. Preventive measures in the form of vaccines and medicines should be taken by livestock farmers. 

Pigs suffer from various diseases like ulcers, gastroenteritis, leptospirosis, pseudorabies. Erysipelas, cholera, necrotic enteritis, mycotoxins, diseases of foot, mouth, and digestive tract issues. Vaccinations, medicines, and proper care can prevent the growth of fungi and diseases in the bodies of the pigs. 

Sheep and goats suffer from several diseases caused by parasites, tapeworms, roundworms, and gastrointestinal tract issues. Horses develop viral diseases like Salmonella, Encephalomyelitis, etc. These diseases can be prevented by vaccines. 

Why Is Livestock Farming Good for Small Farms?

Livestock farming on smaller farmlands uses less farming resources. The farming process also becomes sustainable due to the small space. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions becomes less. 

Small farmland owners can easily maintain them and the animals have limited impact on the environment. Livestock farming on a small scale involves less initial investments. But it provides the farmers with diversified income resources. It also has great positive impacts on the local community members. 

Modern Trends and Innovations in Livestock Farming

Livestock farming relies heavily on technical innovation these days. It does not only involve artificial processes like insemination but also involves genomic selection. Tools like this and Estimated Breeding Values can accelerate the growth and fertility rate and improve health. Let’s look deeper into the technological innovations, practices, and alternative options for better livestock productivity. 

Technological Advancements to Note:

Advanced technical tools: Smart farming tools like sensors, GPS trackers, and other IOT devices can monitor and control the important parameters for farming. It can help the farmers to track the environmental changes and the animal behaviour. 

PLF system: Precision Livestock Farming systems can improve the efficiency of livestock farming. The farmers can collect data from retailers, and other farmers and sell their products in the market at the correct time after analyzing the data collected by certifiers and market innovators.

E-fences & collars: Invisible fences can guide cows and cattle inside a particular perimeter and keep them safe. Also, the farmers can track them through software and collars.

Disease Preventing Technologies: There are several technologies to help farmers prevent future animal diseases. They can analyze the disease trends to prevent it more easily. DNA fingerprinting, genome sequencing, polymerase chain reaction tests, and antiviral drugs can help the animals fight the diseases. 

Sustainable Technological Practices: 

Organic farming procedure practices sustainable and eco-friendly methods of livestock rearing. 

Installation of Automated Dairy: These can derive milk from cows automatically. There is no need for any human involvement. Milk sensors can also be helpful for farmers to track milk quality. 

Automatic Cleaning System: These automated systems can clean and remove animal waste. It results in a cleaner and healthier environment that promotes a disease-free lifestyle among animals.

Automated Feeder: Different animals might need different types of macro-nutrients for their growth. Automated feeder systems provide animals with proper feeding mixtures after analyzing their individual needs. It helps them to get proper nutrition in the right amount. 

Alternative Feed Options: It might reduce heavy reliance on traditional feed grains. Animals can also feed on beet pulp, rice bran, soybean hulls, cottonseed, dried grains mixed with doubles, insects, etc. Also, they can feed on agro-industrial by-products and other types of leafy meals. 

The invention of AI, feed supplements, drones, cloud computing, blockchains, and animal breeding technologies can result in better livestock farming. 

Livestock Farming, Investments & Environmental Sustainability: 

Livestock farming might demand some basic requirements and initial investments. To maintain high yield and disease management, some farming methods are practiced. Let’s look into sustainable practices so that the impact on the environment does not get severe.

The Basic Requirements for Livestock Farming:

Proper Shelter: The farmed animals should be under proper protection from extreme weather conditions. They should have the right shelter to stay protected from heat, rain, and cold. The shelter should have a windbreak, bedded pack, and a roof for optimal protection, circulation of natural air, and comfort. 

Grazing Land: The animals should have access to a large grazing land to feed on. This is the primary source of nutrition for them.

Access to Water: The animals need water all the time. It will ensure their healthy growth. 

Feed: The farmers should make sure that they provide the farmed animals with proper feed. It should be nutrition-rich and of good quality. 

Additional Requirements for Livestock Farming:

Right Equipment: The farmers should have the correct set of equipment to clean the farmed area. They should keep the place clean and collect the manure. Also, to track their movement, nutrition, and growth, farmers should invest in the latest technological devices. 

Maintenance of Hygiene: Cleanliness is of utmost importance to avoid animal diseases. They should be raised in a hygienic environment. 

Handling with Low-Stress: Stress-free atmosphere and free movement of animals can help them to grow naturally. 

Safety Measures: There are some devices available to track weather changes. Based on that, the farmers can take proper action and keep the livestock safe in advance. 

Vaccination & Medical Aid: The livestock farmers should invest in vaccinations and medicines to promote the healthy growth of the farmed animals. 

Initial Investment: The livestock farmers might need to invest a little initially to purchase the land. Also, they should invest in their medicines, technical devices, etc. 

Good Transportation System: Access to the market is important for livestock farmers. With a good transport system, they can easily sell their products to the market at the right time. 

Good Storage System: A good storage system is essential to collect animal-derived animals before selling them to the market. The temperature should be maintained to avoid quality damage. 

Human Labour: Livestock farming is more human labor-intensive. To take care of the animals, letting them graze on lands might demand human labor.

Business Plan: The right discussion with the right business-minded people might help you decide the amount of initial funding. It can assist you in having a rough idea of the expenses associated with livestock farming. 

What You Need to Do for Better Productivity:

The Right Location: Choosing a location free from unnecessary noises can be ideal for livestock farming. Also, before finalizing the location, you should be aware of the zoning regulations.

Monitoring Animal Health: Constant monitoring of animal health is essential for cattle, pig, sheep, and goat farmers. In case of any discomfort, they should seek medical help for rapid recovery of the animals. 

Maintaining Good Quality: Maintaining the quality of animal-derived products is the responsibility of the farmers. To get better quality products, the animals should be treated the right way. 

The Advantages of Livestock Farming:

There are several benefits associated with livestock farming. Let’s look into these one by one.

Food Supply: Livestock farming provides a good supply of protein to the population. They provide the market with milk, eggs, etc. Also, they provide several raw materials like wool, etc. 

Economic Opportunities: It can provide the farmers with stable income sources. 

Maintains Biodiversity: The natural way of raising animals can promote healthy biodiversity and maintain the ecological balance. 

Social Benefits: It promotes a sense of unity among the community members. 

Environmental Benefits: Livestock farming prevents soil depletion and protects it against floods. The grazing of the farmed animals results in organic weed control.  

Cultural Benefits: Some animals have special cultural significance. Raising them properly helps to strengthen the cultural bonds. 

Animal-Derived Products: Animals produce a lot of food items like milk and provide meat. They also provide industries with raw materials like wool. Their manure is in high market demand. The farmers use livestock manure as organic fertilizers. 

Less Risk: Livestock farming is a highly profitable income source. That is why, less chance of loss is associated with this farming practice.

Easy to Do: The farming practices are quite easy. Raising animals in an all-natural environment is relatively less tiring.

The Disadvantages of Livestock Farming:

Livestock farming has some drawbacks. Let’s discuss them.

Use of Antibiotics: Sometimes, to accelerate the growth rate of animals, farmers use antibiotics. It might affect the health of livestock adversely 

Compromised Animal Freedom: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations restrain the animals from freely moving around while grazing. This affects their health and causes stress.

Ammonia Emissions: Livestock farming releases a significant amount of greenhouse gas in nature. The manure produced by them is the leading cause of ammonia emissions.  

The Social Controversies & Impacts of Livestock Farming

Some social controversies might arise based on the practices of livestock farming. Some of the local community members might complain about the strong odour of the animals, manure disposal, etc.

Also, community members might also suffer from health issues due to water and air pollution caused by livestock farming. They might face health issues due to animal-borne viruses and diseases.

The need for larger farmlands might lead to loss of cultivable lands. Also, greenhouse gas emissions might impact the health of the local members. 

Future of Livestock Farming

The future of livestock agriculture relies heavily on scientific explorations, technologies, and sustainable practices. 

Livestock breeding these days emphasizes disease prevention, betterment of product quality, and animal welfare. The focus is primarily on making animals adapt to sudden climate changes by giving farmers access to the genetic resources of the animals.

Several automated technologies like robotics, sensors, and automated dairy installations can improve food productivity, track weather changes, and reduce costs. 

GPS collars can track the animals while grazing. Silvopastoral systems let them graze among trees and shrubs along with fruits, and leaves. Vaccinations and medicines can help the animals fight with their diseases. Also, farmers use probiotic supplements to promote animals’ healthy growth.

Are You Interested in Livestock Farming?

Livestock farming requires less input and investments. If you have knowledge about livestock farming techniques, the requirements, rules, and marketing, it might be right for you.

Livestock farming provides food security to a nation and the practices are sustainable. This farming technique does not harm the environment. It also creates multiple income opportunities for the small farm owners.

If you have a larger farm area and you care about animal welfare, livestock farming can be right for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions: