Industrial livestock production systems are associated with a concentration of animals into large units, generally concentrating on a single species, large volumes of waste material, high animal health risks, and less attention to animal welfare. An industrial type of production also occurs in small units operated by specialized smallholders as part of the mixed farming system. Industrial systems are also associated with modern and efficient production techniques, requiring a high level of knowledge and skill.
Industrial systems are generally stratified and different farms specialize in e.g. the production of parent animals, the production of young animals or in the fattening process. But integrated production also occurs. Products from the industrial system are mainly used for the urban market with a portion being traded internationally. Processing of the products takes place in separate enterprises (slaughterhouses, dairy plants and tanneries) and products have to comply with standardisation and specific quality criteria. The processing industry is considered as a separate system.
The system requires large areas of arable land to satisfy the requirements for high quality feed concentrates, however the system does also have the potential to absorb large quantities of by- and waste products from the food processing industry.
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