More efficient use of inputs in animal husbandry

Abstract

Livestock production accounts for approximately 70% of all agricultural land (Steinfeld et al. 2006). Approximately 3.5 billion hectares are grazed compared to 1.2-1.5 billion hectares under cropping (Howden et al. 2007). Climate change is likely to be a major threat to the viability and sustainability of animal (beef and dairy cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, poultry etc) production systems in many regions of the world, and could lead to regional famines. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.