Livestock Yard

Organic livestock production is a method of raising animals for food that prioritizes animal welfare, environmental care, and the production of healthy, chemical-free food. Organic livestock production practices include:

• Animal welfareOrganic livestock must be raised in accordance with their natural behaviors and health needs. They should have access to the outdoors year-round, except in extreme weather. 
• FeedOrganic livestock must be fed 100% certified organic feed, with the exception of trace minerals and vitamins. They should not be fed animal waste or feeds that contain artificial substances like growth hormones. 
• EnvironmentOrganic livestock production should be integrated with plants and soil, with nutrients circulating between the three. Organic livestock should be raised on certified organic land. 
• ChemicalsOrganic livestock production should minimize the use of medical drugs and other chemicals. Organic livestock should not be treated with antibiotics, added growth hormones, or other prohibited feed ingredients. 
• BreedingAnimals should be selected for breeding based on their health and resistance to disease and pests. 
• ManureAnimal manure should be handled properly or composted before being used on the farm. 

Organic livestock production is intended to produce safer, more nutritious, and more eco-friendly products

Agrochemicals, veterinary drugs, antibiotics and improved feeds can increase the food supply while minimising production costs in various livestock production systems around the world. However, these days, quality-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking environmentally safe, chemical-residuefree healthy foods, along with product traceability and a high standard of animal welfare, which organic production methods are said to ensure. Organic production is not only a challenge for producers in developing countries, it offers new export opportunities as well. Organic agriculture is practised by 1.8 million producers in 160 countries, and production of organically grown food continues to increase steadily by 15% per year. Most tropical countries are now exporting organic agricultural products but, apart from organic beef from Brazil and Argentina, organic livestock products are yet to take off. Most trade in organic livestock products is restricted to the European Union and other developed nations. Nevertheless, tropical countries cannot afford to neglect this emerging system of animal production. Organic production is knowledge- and management-intensive. Producers must be well versed in organic production standards, principles and practices, which require a high degree of knowledge and skill. In organic production, it is not simply the final product but the whole production process that must be inspected and approved by the accredited certification bodies. Organic livestock farming is still evolving, and further research is needed to make it sustainable. In this paper, the authors review the prospects of organic animal husbandry and its possible constraints in developing and tropical countries.