Sustainable Livestock Production Practices and Animal Welfare
The Problems with Intensive Livestock Farming – What is intensive livestock rearing
We define intensive livestock farming as a group of practices that highly focus on maximizing animal production. It may encompass:
- intensive land and labor use,
- concentrating farm animals or fish at high densities in small areas
- intensive use of chemical inputs (like hormones and antibiotics), feed, and water
Intensive livestock rearing has been linked with generally lower welfare of the animals, higher pollution rates and greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide), biodiversity loss, and soil degradation.
However, intensive livestock has been found to be a more efficient system of animal production, especially from monogastric animals (pigs and poultry).
Livestock accounts for 77% of global agricultural land (for housing and feeding), but animal products can cover only 20% of the total amount of calories humans need globally. Animals in large farms under intensive management have high feed demands. The food required to cover these needs is produced on arable land. This globally covers 63% of the total arable land available. Additionally, animal production uses up to 1/3 of the total available fresh water and is responsible for more than half (57%) of the total global greenhouse gas emissions produced by the agri-food sector. At the same time, overgrazing is one of the main causes of soil degradation and biodiversity loss globally (in Australia and Africa is the number one cause).
The over-dense population of animals in intensive livestock farming usually leads to poor living conditions. Animals have little or no space to move and live, usually in cages. Many large farms have no or limited access to sunlight and poor air circulation. The high and incautious use of antibiotics to prevent or treat infection is causing problems of drug-resistant pathogens and contamination of the environment. Based on FAO, the global demand for meat and dairy products is expected to increase by 14% by 2030, drifting along the land and resources used and the environmental footprint of livestock farming. In this scenario, we expect to see problems like deforestation to be intensified. At the same time, there is a concern that the extra arable land needed to cover the increasing needs for animal feed will be subtracted from the ones used for food, putting food security at risk.
The challenges that livestock farmers are facing due to climate change, other adverse effects of intensive animal production, the increased sensitivity of the general public (consumers) related to animal welfare and the demand for high-quality “green” products make the need for transitioning to a more sustainable system urgent.
Sustainable Livestock Management Practices
In contrast to intensive farming, sustainable livestock management aims to balance productivity with environmental stewardship and animal welfare. By adopting sustainable practices, farmers can reduce their environmental footprint while ensuring the well-being of their animals. Some key sustainable livestock management practices include:
- Rotational Grazing: This practice involves moving livestock between different sections of pasture, allowing each area time to regenerate before animals return to graze again. Rotational grazing prevents overgrazing, which can lead to soil degradation, and promotes healthier pasture growth. This system also helps improve the nutritional quality of the pasture, benefiting both the environment and the animals.
- Grassland Restoration and Pasture Management: Grasslands are vital ecosystems that provide forage for livestock and store carbon in the soil. Grassland restoration involves practices such as reseeding, reducing overgrazing, and allowing pastures to recover. Effective pasture management ensures the long-term sustainability of these lands, preventing degradation and maintaining biodiversity. This not only enhances the quality of forage for livestock but also contributes to carbon sequestration and improved soil health.
- Crop-Livestock Integration: This practice involves integrating crop and livestock production on the same farm. By using crop residues to feed livestock and returning manure to the soil as fertilizer, farmers can create a closed-loop system that reduces waste and improves nutrient cycling. Crop-livestock integration enhances soil fertility, increases farm productivity, and helps manage risks by diversifying income sources. It is a key element of sustainable agriculture, promoting both economic and environmental resilience.
- Improved Manure Management: Proper handling of manure is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing water pollution. By composting manure and using it as fertilizer, farmers can recycle nutrients and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. This not only benefits crop production but also minimizes methane emissions from manure decomposition.
- Use of Native Livestock Breeds: Native breeds are often better adapted to local environmental conditions and are more resilient to climate change. For example, they may have greater resistance to diseases or better tolerance to heat stress. These traits make native breeds valuable assets in sustainable livestock systems, particularly in regions where climate variability is a concern.
- Feed Sustainability: Feed production accounts for a large portion of the carbon footprint in livestock farming. Sustainable feed strategies, such as incorporating plant-based or insect-derived proteins, can significantly reduce this environmental impact. Insect meal, for instance, offers a high-protein, low-resource alternative to traditional feed ingredients like soy and corn.
The Role of Technology in Sustainable Livestock Farming
Technological advancements in agriculture (AgTech) are playing a crucial role in making livestock farming more sustainable. Sensors, drones, and satellite technology are being used to monitor grazing patterns, manage animal health, and optimize feed efficiency. These tools allow farmers to track livestock in real-time, ensuring that animals receive the right amount of nutrition and that pastures are managed sustainably.
For example, electronic ear tags with sensors can track an animal’s behavior, movement, and health indicators, such as heart rate and digestion. This data can help farmers make informed decisions about animal care, reducing the need for antibiotics and improving overall welfare. In the poultry industry, air sensors are being used to detect early signs of disease outbreaks, allowing for timely interventions that save animal lives and prevent financial losses.
The Importance of Animal Welfare in Livestock Production – Organic Farming
Animal welfare is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of ethical and sustainable livestock production. In sustainable livestock management, the welfare of the animals is essential. Farmers should take action and apply practices offering their animals a growing environment with good hygiene, enough space to move, good air quality and circulation, and access to natural sunlight. Animals should be able to display their natural behavior and live in a stress-free environment. Dor example, poultry shall have access to an open-air area for a great proportion of their life (ask your local authority and your certification body). In organic farming, some animals shall live in communities, as they do in nature. Restraint or isolation is not allowed unless this is dictated for their own protection. Even then, however, isolation should occur only for a limited period of time. In general, in organic farming, it is essential to allow animals to display their natural behavior and create living conditions resembling/copying their natural habitats. All personnel involved in taking care of the animals should possess the necessary basic knowledge and skills regarding the health and welfare needs of the animals.
Substances such as hormones, growth factors, and synthetic amino acids are mostly not allowed in organic livestock farming. For example, as we know, in conventional farming, producers may use hormone-assisted treatments for optimum reproduction rates. Vaccines are allowed in organic farming. However, allopathic veterinary medicinal products, including antibiotics, are generally not allowed. They can only be used in single individuals and after the diagnosis and recommendation of a veterinarian. In such a case, the animal shall be kept isolated in large enough spaces provided with straw or appropriate bedding. You may ask your local authorities or your local certification body for more information. Vitamins, minerals, probiotics, herbal remedies, and electrolytes are allowed. The farmer should keep a record of all the substances used for further control. All materials used for animal health care should be listed in the National Organic Program (NOP).
Ensuring good animal welfare has direct business benefits. Healthier animals are more productive, leading to higher-quality meat, milk, or eggs. Ethical practices also resonate with consumers who are willing to pay a premium for products labeled as humane or organic. By focusing on animal welfare, farmers can differentiate themselves in the market and tap into the growing demand for ethically produced food.
Conclusion
As the demand for animal products continues to grow, livestock farmers face the challenge of increasing production while maintaining animal welfare and reducing their environmental impact. Sustainable livestock management practices offer a way to meet these demands while promoting the long-term health of the planet and the well-being of animals. By prioritizing ethical treatment and sustainability, agribusinesses can create more resilient systems that benefit both producers and consumers alike.
Further reading
What is Animal Husbandry – Livestock Farming?
Holistic Management: Sustainable Livestock Practices for Land Restoration
Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock with BSFL Antimicrobial Peptides
AgTech innovations in Livestock Production
Livestock AgTech to Improve Sustainability
Tools for Lowering Livestock Emissions, Reducing Waste, Empowering Small-Scale Farmers