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Animal production has developed from the simple small farm to a large scale commercial industry. The techniques for the production of meat, eggs, and dairy products have been established for thousands of years. With the invention of new technology, today's agricultural systems face the challenge of improving the efficiency with which these products are produced, while minimizing or eliminating the negative effects livestock production has on the environment.
By far, the most substantial advances have been made through studies of breeding and genetic selection. The identification of highly efficient production traits including milk yield and composition, tissue growth, disease resistance and fertility has been responsible for reducing the quantity of expensive inputs which are consumed during the production cycle.
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Studies of bioenergetics and the animals interaction with its environment, have also been of great benefit. By observing an animal's preferences for temperature, humidity and habitat, livestock producers are able to construct ideal environments which improve the growth and production of livestock. Coupled with advances in engineering, the livestock sector has become a lucrative industry in climates which previously had been unfavorable to production. |
With continuing concern over the limited number of resources which remain, studies in the field of nutrition have resulted in the improved utilization of feedstuffs by livestock to ensure waste is minimized. Characterization of feed components and an understanding of the quantities which animals require at each stage of their lives can be used to formulate complex diets which make use of all available nutrients. In addition to improving the efficiency of utilization, research is finding new techniques of feed processing which will permit the use of non-traditional feedstuffs in animal rations.
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