The livestock industry is a global food system pillar that contributes to poverty reduction, food security, and agricultural development. Demographic trends and dietary changes have increased the demand for animal products, exacerbating the difficulties in addressing societal concerns related to the environment, human health, and animal welfare. Livestock industry management techniques are needed to mitigate these problems. The following three management trends in 2023 may help.
Sustainability in the livestock sector
The livestock industry is one of the fastest growing agricultural sub-sectors in middle- and low-income countries and represents a major opportunity for all livestock supply chain contributors. However, if not properly managed, this growth could strain the industry’s sustainability issues. Management techniques to move the livestock sector toward sustainable production practices can address adverse impacts on land, water, and the environment, and decrease risks posed to animal and human health. Sustainable livestock production includes:
Antimicrobial resistance opposition in livestock
Antibiotic overuse and misuse contribute to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. Some bacteria that cause serious infections have already developed resistance to most, or in some cases, all available treatments, and the research pipeline doesn’t yet offer many promising options. Livestock producers are key to helping reduce antimicrobial resistance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for livestock producers include:
Precision livestock farming
To help meet the rising demand for animal products, precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies are being developed to continuously monitor animal health and welfare parameters to improve productivity and detect health issues in the early stages. These technologies include:
Hopefully, implementing these management strategies will help mitigate some of the challenges that the livestock industry faces, while ensuring that the animals’ welfare is prioritized.
About the author
Jenny Alonge received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Mississippi State University in 2002. She then completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at Louisiana State University. After her internship, she joined an equine ambulatory service in northern Virginia where she practiced for almost 17 years. Alonge later decided to make a career change in favor of more creative pursuits and accepted a job as a veterinary copywriter for Rumpus Writing and Editing in April 2021. She adopted two unruly kittens, Olive and Pops, in February 2022.
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