Integrated crop-livestock production systems in China

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Hou ◽  
Z. B. Nan ◽  
Y. Z. Xie ◽  
X. L. Li ◽  
H. L. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Guizhou Province ◽  
Western China ◽  
Karst Region ◽  
Rangeland Degradation ◽  
The People

The integrated crop-livestock production system provides most of the food needed by the people of China. Five types of integrated production systems are recognised; rangeland, grain crops, crop/pasture, agro-silvopastoral and ponds. Development of more sustainable and integrated crop-pasture-rangeland-livestock production systems has been recently achieved. Demonstrations of the integrated systems at household, village and regional levels are occurring for rain-fed agriculture on the Loess Plateau, the Hexi Corridor, north-western China and the Karst region of Guizhou Province, south-western China. These indicate that integration of crop, livestock and forage are effective means of improving agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and farmers’ incomes. Widespread adoption of integrated farming systems should also reduce rangeland degradation.

scholarly journals Livestock production: recent trends, future prospects

2010 ◽  
Vol 365 (1554) ◽  
pp. 2853-2867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip K. Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
Future Production ◽  
The Future ◽  
Livestock Products

The livestock sector globally is highly dynamic. In developing countries, it is evolving in response to rapidly increasing demand for livestock products. In developed countries, demand for livestock products is stagnating, while many production systems are increasing their efficiency and environmental sustainability. Historical changes in the demand for livestock products have been largely driven by human population growth, income growth and urbanization and the production response in different livestock systems has been associated with science and technology as well as increases in animal numbers. In the future, production will increasingly be affected by competition for natural resources, particularly land and water, competition between food and feed and by the need to operate in a carbon-constrained economy. Developments in breeding, nutrition and animal health will continue to contribute to increasing potential production and further efficiency and genetic gains. Livestock production is likely to be increasingly affected by carbon constraints and environmental and animal welfare legislation. Demand for livestock products in the future could be heavily moderated by socio-economic factors such as human health concerns and changing socio-cultural values. There is considerable uncertainty as to how these factors will play out in different regions of the world in the coming decades.

scholarly journals Application of gene expression studies in livestock production systems: a European perspective

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 701 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Cassar-Malek ◽  
B. Picard ◽  
C. Bernard ◽  
J.-F. Hocquette
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Animal Physiology ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Expression Studies ◽  
Gene Expression Studies

In the context of sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry, understanding animal physiology remains a major challenge in the breeding and production of livestock, especially to develop animal farming systems that respond to the new and diversified consumer demand. Physiological processes depend on the expression of many genes acting in concert. Considerable effort has been expended in recent years on examining the mechanisms controlling gene expression and their regulation by biological and external factors (e.g. genetic determinants, nutritional factors, and animal management). Two main strategies have been developed to identify important genes. The first one has focussed on the expression of candidate genes for key physiological pathways at the level of both the transcripts and proteins. An original strategy has emerged with the advent of genomics that addresses the same issues through the examination of the molecular signatures of all genes and proteins using high-throughput techniques (e.g. transcriptomics and proteomics). In this review, the application of the gene expression studies in livestock production systems is discussed. Some practical examples of genomics applied to livestock production systems (e.g. to optimise animal nutrition, meat quality or animal management) are presented, and their outcomes are considered. In the future, integration of the knowledge gained from these studies will finally result in optimising livestock production systems through detection of desirable animals and their integration into accurate breeding programs or innovative management systems.

Mixed farming and intensification of animal production systems in Asia

1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Devendra
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Natural Resource Use ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Livestock Disease ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Semiarid Tropics

Integrated crop-animal systems are important in Asia. Both ruminants and non-ruminants are used in a variety of combinations with annual and perennial crops in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, China and Sri Lanka. These combined systems provide distinct economic benefits, and are more compatible with ecological and environmental sustainability. Increased investment in these systems is likely and research is needed on feed resources, use of indigenous animal genetic resources and livestock disease to increase livestock production. In addition, available research results should be applied and enabling policies developed to promote increased investment in livestock production and natural resource use and management in the rainfed warm humid/subhumid and arid/semiarid tropics.

Perspectives on livestock production systems in China

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. L. Li ◽  
Q. H. Yuan ◽  
L. Q. Wan ◽  
F. He
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
Rangeland Degradation ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Output Market ◽  
Growing Economy ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Harsh Climate

This review paper describes the livestock production systems in China, their status and trends, driving factors, and major issues with profound impact. Three distinct livestock production systems are discussed; grazing, mixed farming, and industrial systems. The ‘grazing system’ is generally characterised by harsh climate, rangeland, and low livestock output. Market forces, biophysical constraints and environmental concerns are putting a ceiling on the potential for intensification of the grazing system except in some areas where the agro-ecological potential permits. This system needs to be re-oriented towards adding ecosystem service provision, rather than mere production or subsistence. The ‘mixed farming system’, with the highest share of most kinds of livestock commodities, forms the backbone of China’s agriculture and is undertaking a notable intensification and specialisation process. The ‘industrial system’ is geographically concentrated in areas close to densely populated demand centers. Although growing fast, the share of national livestock output remains relatively small. The past two decades have seen a rapid growth in both consumption and production of livestock food products in China. This new food revolution has been driven to a great extent by the rapid growing economy, personal income and urbanisation. Among the most important issues related to livestock production systems in China are severe rangeland degradation, caused mainly by overexploitation of these lands, increasing demand and competition for feed grain, and environmental and public health risks associated with industrialised livestock production. China will have to cope with such challenges through proper policy and technological interventions to sustain the livestock development and simultaneously secure the natural resources and environmental health.

Integrating crop and livestock production in Inland Northwest farming systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda H. Hardesty ◽  
James A. Tiedeman
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Domestic Demand ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Inland Northwest ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Crop And Livestock Production

AbstractThe demand for more ecologically and economically sustainable agriculture arises because we currently integrate products economically in a fashion that distorts ecologica I relationships. Earfy farms were ecologically integrated through feeding of forage crops and crop residues to livestock, with livestock contributing draft power and manure for crops. Today we have almost entirely uncoupled plant and animal production, eliminating the contribution that each can make to the productivity of the other. Barriers to integrating farming systems include the large volume of information needed for sophisticated production systems and the lack of infrastructure. Also, many chemicals used on crops have not been evaluated for their safety in food animals. Winter feeding and calving may conflict with crop production cycles; balancing year-round forage supplies is another obstacle. Opportunities include using the Conservation Reserve Program to shift land to livestock production. Domestic demand for meat is changing, and range livestock production is seen by some people as more humane than confinement. Animals fed less grain may be more acceptable in some markets. As agriculture responds to changes in society, ecologica I integration may become more compatible with economic integration.

An exploratory tool for analysis of forage and livestock production options

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Millar ◽  
R. E. Jones ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
S. Brady
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Farm Model ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Livestock Systems

The Grain & Graze Whole-Farm Model was developed as a simple modelling tool to identify better strategies to improve the income of farmers and overcome grassland degradation. Using information on farm structure, crop and forage production systems, livestock production systems and variable costs involved in all enterprises, maximum whole-farm gross margins are obtained for an optimum or a prescribed mix of enterprises. The incorporation of production systems for different rainfall scenarios enables climatic risks and water use efficiencies of different enterprises to be investigated. Model simulations demonstrated the potential improvements that could be achieved in dollar water use efficiency ($WUE), by changes in management and/or changes in enterprise. The design of the model makes it a valuable tool for evaluating new systems, as it easy to develop new crop, pasture and livestock systems. Innovative farming systems such as pasture cropping and alley farming are included in the model.

scholarly journals A Decision Support System for Economically Sustainable Sheep and Goat Farming

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2421
Author(s):  
Sotiria Vouraki ◽  
Ioannis Skourtis ◽  
Konstantinos Psichos ◽  
Wendy Jones ◽  
Carol Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Estimation Error ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Testing Management

The European sheep and goat sector is characterized by low professionalization and management training. Moreover, it is fragmented in terms of production aims and farming systems. Here, iSAGEDSS, a web-based application allowing dairy and meat small ruminant farmers in different countries to make annual management plans by testing future scenarios, is presented. Data were obtained for the meat sheep (United Kingdom and Spain), dairy sheep (France and Greece) and dairy goat production systems (Greece) from partners of the Innovation for Sustainable Sheep and Goat Production in Europe (iSAGE) project. These were used to set default values and ranges for all important farm parameters in each system and country. An algorithm was developed assessing nutritional management and its impact on production and financial performance. Reports focus on profitability, productivity and environmental sustainability. A case study in three dairy sheep farms in Greece was performed. In each case, an evaluation scenario was created using actual farm data that were compared with the estimated ones. Two scenarios testing management decisions for gross margin maximization and milk pricing fluctuations were created. Application results showed high prediction accuracy for gross margin and production estimation (error of circa 9% and 4%, respectively). Moreover, the ability to promote financial, production and grazing management efficiency was demonstrated.

Identification of constraints in livestock production in developing countries

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 48-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. R. Ørskov
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Animal Product

One of the first problems which often faces experts from developed countries called upon to advise on aspects of animal production in developing countries is that he/she has no experience of the production systems encountered. The systems as well as products and resources are generally different. In Table 1 an attempt has been made to describe some categories of farming systems, their animal product listed in some order of priority of product and of the resources available for the animals.

scholarly journals Methodical approaches to assessing the effectiveness of animal husbandry

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (94) ◽  
pp. 100-105
Author(s):  
R. M. Myniv
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Dynamic Task ◽  
Feed Protein ◽  
Livestock Products

Economic efficiency of livestock production is determined using a system of indicators, among which the main (generalizing) indicator of economic efficiency of livestock production is the achieved level of labor productivity. This indicator has a significant impact on other derivative indicators. A comprehensive assessment of the efficiency of farming systems should be carried out using a generalized indicator of the efficiency of the used resources of the livestock enterprise and an indicator of the share of growth of livestock products. The matrix method is the most acceptable for the analysis and an estimation of efficiency of work of the livestock enterprises. It allows: to rank livestock enterprises according to the achieved level of efficiency (static task); to study changes in the level of efficiency of livestock enterprises during the analyzed period (dynamic task); determine the dependence of farm performance on intensive and extensive factors. To assess the economic efficiency of feed production in animal husbandry use the indicator “marginal productivity of feed (feed protein) unit”. Evaluation of productive use of dairy cows is carried out using the coefficient of productivity intensity, which is calculated by the ratio of the average milk yield per day to the lifetime milk yield of cows. The complexity of livestock mechanization, individual technological lines or specific machines and equipment is determined by the calculated technical and economic indicators, comparing them with the indicators obtained in practice of the existing facility or basic analogue, or with the best examples of domestic or world practice. The application of the above indicators of analysis and evaluation of livestock efficiency will provide: assessment of the effectiveness of production systems by livestock enterprises in modern conditions of their development; objective characteristics of farming and the main results of activities in animal husbandry; identification of the most rational options for improving the efficiency of animal husbandry; comparative assessment of the efficiency of livestock enterprises operating in the same natural and economic conditions; measuring production efficiency in livestock and related industries; identification and evaluation of a set of measures for the development of animal husbandry aimed at improving the efficiency of its operation.

scholarly journals Sustainable, efficient livestock production with high biodiversity and good welfare for animals

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1771) ◽  
pp. 20132025 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Broom ◽  
F. A. Galindo ◽  
E. Murgueitio
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Silvopastoral Systems ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
The People ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
Sustainable System

What is the future for livestock agriculture in the world? Consumers have concerns about sustainability but many widely used livestock production methods do not satisfy consumers' requirements for a sustainable system. However, production can be sustainable, occurring in environments that: supply the needs of the animals resulting in good welfare, allow coexistence with a wide diversity of organisms native to the area, minimize carbon footprint and provide a fair lifestyle for the people working there. Conservation need not just involve tiny islands of natural vegetation in a barren world of agriculture, as there can be great increases in biodiversity in farmed areas. Herbivores, especially ruminants that consume materials inedible by humans, are important for human food in the future. However, their diet should not be just ground-level plants. Silvopastoral systems, pastures with shrubs and trees as well as herbage, are described which are normally more productive than pasture alone. When compared with widely used livestock production systems, silvopastoral systems can provide efficient feed conversion, higher biodiversity, enhanced connectivity between habitat patches and better animal welfare, so they can replace existing systems in many parts of the world and should be further developed.

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