Livestock farming can be done in different ways with some ways having more benefits the others. One type of farming that is growing among farmers is sustainable livestock farming. This type of farming requires the use of a pasture based system.
When animals are raised in the pasture-based system they are allowed to graze freely and eat nutritious grass and other plants that are easily digested by their bodies. The livestock welfare is greatly increased when they graze on pasture since this is the natural way in which they were meant to feed.
Sustainable livestock farming also helps in reducing damage to the environment and the produces such as meat, eggs and milk is more nutritious and taste better then feed given to livestock that is processed from factory farms.
Animal Health Benefits:
Animals that are raised in confined factory farms have less quality life than those raised on pasture. Animals when raised on pasture can move around and live a natural life where else in factory farms the animals are all crowded in confined facilities. These facilities don’t have sunlight or fresh air allowing bacteria to grow and affect the livestock. This then leads to the livestock being given antibiotics which is not good for the livestock.
Since a lot of livestock eat grass grazing them on pasture has a lot of benefits. Some of the benefits are the livestock are able to produce saliva which is good for neutralizing acids that is in their digestive system. Since grain feed livestock produce less saliva they often suffer from dehydration, intestine damage and even death.
Human Health Benefits:
Livestock raised on pasture produce more nutritious products (eggs, meat, milk) which is good for consumers then livestock raised on grains. Adding to that pasture raised foods have a healthier balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats then your conventional foods. Their vitamin levels are higher as well.
Care And Management:
When raising livestock the pasture way you should take care of them by giving them some shelter, make sure they are out grazing on pasture everyday and get enough drinking water. Also get a vet to come check on your livestock every now and then to make sure they are free from illnesses and diseases.
It’s no doubt that sustainable livestock farming is the way to go if you want to be a successful livestock farmer. The livestock are raised in a healthy way and the produce is healthy for us human beings.
