Annex identification of different global production systems and their relative productivity
Table 2. Characteristics of intensive dairy farming system
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- Livestock Type and stocks (thousand heads) in 2006 (WRI, 2009) Inputs, kg/ ha N, P K, other agrochemicals
- 1.1.3.1 Intensive feedlot systems
- Regions Importance in region Farm Size (ha) Livestock Type
Table 2. Characteristics of intensive dairy farming system
Livestock production currently accounts for around 40% of the gross value of agricultural production worldwide. The share from industrial countries is over half the world total (FAO, 2003). In 2005, across the EU-27, 50,806,000 ha of land were devoted to permanent pasture (European Commission, 2008a). The UK, France, Estonia and Denmark accounted for 17%, 16%, 15% and 10% of this land-take respectively in 2005 (European Commission, 2008a). In the EU, intensive livestock farming covers indoor egg and poultry meat production as well as a small proportion of beef production where cattle are housed indoors, or in outdoor yards, on a permanent basis. Livestock holdings are measured in terms of livestock units (LSU), with one LSU being the equivalent of a single grazing adult dairy cow. In 2005, the EU-27 had 9.0 million agricultural holdings. Of those agricultural holdings with over 100 LSU, 53.9% were in France, Germany and the United Kingdom. However the largest livestock farm densities are in Malta, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. Figure 2 below outlines the animals slaughtered in the EU-27 in 2007 (1000 t). 
Figure 2: Animals slaughtered by species (1000 t) in EU-27, 2007 (European Commission, 2008a) Livestock production in Asian countries is becoming increasingly intensive. This intensification is in response to the general shortage of land and plentiful supply of cheap labour as well as increasing demand for livestock products. As a result, small-scale intensive systems including “cut and carry” and stall-feeding have become more predominant due to the small land requirements and high labour input. Rising availability of capital permits these countries to purchase machinery and inputs including improved breeds of livestock, food and medicines to ensure the health of animals. This trend has led to increasing productivity and has made pigs and poultry more attractive to rear than sheep and cattle (FAO, 2003a). In developing countries, the share of land taken for livestock production is rising quickly as a result of growth in population and incomes and changes in lifestyles and dietary habits. Between 1997/99 and 2015, livestock production in developing countries will grow by only 2.6% pa compared with annual growth of 5.5% between 1989 and 1999. Between 2015 and 2030, this growth is expected to fall to 2.1% pa. This represents a slowdown in the growth of global livestock production, exacerbated by downturns in China and Brazil which previously experienced a large growth in this area (FAO, 2003a). A number of trends have been witnessed in livestock production in recent years which are outlined below. These will be addressed in more depth in Annex 2.
1.1.3.1 Intensive feedlot systems Under some systems of beef and veal production cattle are housed indoors on a permanent basis and fed on cereal or silage based diets. This could be considered an intensive system. In North and South America beef cattle are commonly fattened in intensive feedlot systems which are outdoor yards in which large numbers of cattle are housed, in high densities, and fed on grain and other compound feeds (Williams et al., 2009). This system is typical in parts of Europe (Central, Eastern and Mediterranean). In Spain, for instance, 80% of beef is produced under the feedlot system (Canali, 2001). Animals reared intensively on concentrates tend to grow faster than those grazed outdoors and tend to be more productive, both in terms of meat, milk and offspring (Leguen de Lacroix, 2004). As Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) continues to focus on more extensive agriculture indoor beef production is likely to decline (Steinfield and Maki-Hokkonen, 1995). As with intensive dairy farming, intensive livestock farming is an important source of CH4 emissions. As discussed, the process of enteric fermentation releases CH4 which is 15% of the global total. Again, animal manure is also a source of CH4 and nitrogen emissions from animal manure are greater than those from N fertilizer (Bouwman et al., 2006). Bouwman et al. (2006) suggest that the dependence of ruminant production on grassland resources is reducing, whilst food crops and other feedstuffs will become more important. However, they project an increase in grass consumption as a result of intensification of livestock and arable production. This will require an increase in the use of fertilisers, better management and greater use of grass-clover varieties. However, nutrient loading from manure application is already a concern and the ability of the environment to recycle these nutrients varies depending on climate and hydrology, amongst other factors. It is suggested that intensive livestock and dairy farming should shift to drier regions to minimize run-off and leaching of nutrients. However, this poses a constraint in that additional irrigation might be needed (Farm Foundation, 2006). Further research might focus on the global supply and demand of meat products; is there wastage in the EU and NAFTA which suggests production could be reduced in these regions? Or could these surpluses help meet food demand in other countries? In the future, a rise in global livestock trade is projected to threaten the livelihoods of UK farmers due to influxes of cheaper meat and dairy imports. Key options for British farmers are to lower input costs and diversify into specialist markets in order to gain a competitive advantage. Another threat to dairy farming systems is climate change, especially in continental countries. It is suggested that adopting traditional farming methods may help the system to last, since some of these techniques can help production become more resilient to changes in weather patterns (Phillips, 2002). Table 3. Characteristics of intensive livestock systems
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