Livestock Farming

In traditional livestock farming, animal products are produced just for farmers and their families. Often, the animals are used to work the fields and their dung is used as fertiliser (manure).

Farmers may also keep small flocks of sheep or goats which provide milk, meat and wool. The livestock is fed leftovers from harvests, or grazes on uncultivated land. This form of farming is common in tropical regions and some areas of the Mediterranean.

In very dry locations with little arable farming, nomadic farmers herd camels, sheep or goats from one place to another in search of grazing areas and water.

Commercial livestock farming uses new scientific advances in the section of animal breeds, in mechanising processes, in improving animal diets, etc. There are two types of commercial livestock farming:

1. Extensive farming is carried out in large areas of open land, such as western USA (cattle) and Argentina's Patagonia region (sheep).Although very little labour is needed, it needs capital to buy livestock and create a commerical structure.

Intensive farming aims to maximize productivity and is carried out on specialised farms. It requires a lot of labour, facilities, and feed for the animals. It is common in Canada, the USA, New Zealand, and Atlantic Europe.

The animals are housed in buildings and are grouped together in a confined space, under artificial light, temperature and humidity conditions. They are fed specialised animal feed. Cattle and pigs are the most common livestock in this type of farming.

Intensive livestock farming causes pollution because it contributes to soil and water degradation.

Livestock farming centres of cattle, sheep, and pigs.

~Cattle farming that produces higher quality products takes place of lowlands with a warmer climate.

~Sheep farming can be found in a number of different climates, especially in Asia and Oceania.

~Pig farming is common in both temperate and warm regions. In some parts of the world, livestock such a goats, horses, alpacas and rabbits are important.