Definition of Industrial systems

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 specialised 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. Production techniques are more or less independent of the agro-ecological zone and of the climate and this explains the world-wide occurrence of the industrial system.

Industrial systems are generally stratified and different farms specialise 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.

he 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.

The industrial production system with monogastrics requires extremely uniform animals of similar genetic composition. This contributes to within breed erosion of domestic animal diversity.
Land, water and air are the environmental components which are mostly affected by the concentration of animals and waste production. The main effect is through manure mostly during storage and after application on the land or when it is discharged directly on surface water or in the sewage system.

The industrial system is a poor converter of fossil fuel, requirements are high for production, transport and processing of feed and animals and for heating and ventilation of the buildings.

The following variables have a tremendous influence on the magnitude of the environmental problems of the industrial system:

- the feed conversion (the quantity of feed required for a unit of product)
- the distance between feed production and feed consumption areas;
- the ratio of by-products versus primary products used in the feed ration;
- the manure surplus at farm (or regional) level

Within the industrial system the following sub-systems are identified:

- Description of Feed production and processing
- Description of Industrial animal production
- Description of Processing of animal product

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