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Global Livestock Production (view source)
Revision as of 13:31, 14 October 2015
, 13:31, 14 October 2015no edit summary
Grazing systems represent a relatively small proportion of global livestock production (<10%), predominantly cattle, sheep and goats. Poultry and swine production have negligible grazing production numbers.
Grazing systems represent a relatively small proportion of global livestock production (<10%), predominantly cattle, sheep and goats. Poultry and swine production have negligible grazing production numbers.
Extensive vs. Intensive Grazing Systems
Grazing systems can be further subdivided into extensive vs intensive grazing systems.
Extensive grazing requires small inputs of labor, fertilizers and capital and is usually very small-scale agriculture with low productivity; ranges are large and often nomadic. Examples of this would be grazing of uncultivated lands such as the Scottish Highlands, or nomadic herding seen in rural Africa.
Intensive grazing is more confined grazing where fertilizers, labor and other inputs are increased to maximize the productivity on a piece of land. This often involves subdividing a plot of pasture into subunits and rotating the livestock through the different units to prevent overgrazing in each.
== Industrial Systems ==
== Industrial Systems ==
Mixed production systems produce the largest share of total meat, the majority of cattle and sheep and a minority of poultry and swine production. The vast majority of dairy production also occurs on mixed farming systems. Environmentally, mixed systems have the potential to be the most benign to the environment as nutrients are recycled between crops and livestock by returning animal waste products for crop production.
Mixed production systems produce the largest share of total meat, the majority of cattle and sheep and a minority of poultry and swine production. The vast majority of dairy production also occurs on mixed farming systems. Environmentally, mixed systems have the potential to be the most benign to the environment as nutrients are recycled between crops and livestock by returning animal waste products for crop production.
Mixed systems can also be further subdivided based on the presence or lack of irrigation. Rainfed systems are naturally watered and are therefore subject to environmental conditions. Irrigated systems on the other hand can have water input tightly controlled by by the farmer and thus are less dependent on local weather patterns.
== Global Livestock Distribution ==
== Global Livestock Distribution ==
Major cattle producers worldwide include the United States, Brazil, China, Argentina, India, in addition to many countries in the UK and EU. The major swine and poultry producer in the world is China, with the United States, Canada and certain EU and UK countries as well. Sheep production is concentrated to the UK and New Zealand.
It is useful to breakdown each of the different livestock animals when examining distribution as these patterns vary considerably from species to species.
Major cattle producers worldwide include the United States, Brazil, China, Argentina, India, in addition to many countries in the UK and EU.
The major swine and poultry producer in the world is China, with the United States, Canada and certain EU and UK countries as well.
Sheep production is concentrated to the UK and New Zealand.
A map of general livestock density produced by the International Livestock Research Institute is shown below:
A map of general livestock density produced by the International Livestock Research Institute is shown below:
[https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/14117073507_38014049db.jpg]
[https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/14117073507_38014049db.jpg]