Mixed systems based on external feed

The mixed farming external feed systems are defined as mixed farming systems on farms where high quality feed imported from outside the farm is a substantial part of the ration for livestock.

Two major groups can be distinguished:

- as any other mixed systems but now with external feed as a basic component of the daily ration (gradual intensification);
- mixed farms with a specialised unit for intensive livestock production (out growers of industrial systems or large scale farms).

The external feed systems appear in response to an increasing demand for animal products (market development) and /or in response to evolving opportunities (grain surplus and by products from agro processing industry). The systems can be found in any ecological zone in rural as well as in peri-urban areas with a good infrastructure and a market for animal products.

High quality feed (compounded feeds from feed mills, by products from agro-processing industries and / or surplus grains or food crops) is used to increase production per animal and per time. The environmental aspects of the production and processing of these feeds are dealt with under feed processing system.

Livestock production is more specialised and market oriented. Local multi-purpose breeds are replaced by single purpose breeds (meat, eggs or milk), often exotic. The systems rely on improved infrastructures (roads, water and power supply), support services (veterinary, loans, extension etc.) and services involved in the collection, processing and marketing of products. The environmental aspects of processing and marketing of products are dealt with under product processing system.

Gradual intensification follows the path of crossbreeding local breeds with (exotic) breeds known for their higher genetic potential for production under improved feeding and management conditions. This process is most common in dairy farming and to some extends in pig farming.

Out growers derive their stock from industrial units specialised in breeding and multiplication of stock with a high production potential (day old chicken broilers / layers, piglets). The environmental aspects of stock production are dealt with under the industrial system.

The principal difference with the other mixed farming systems is the import of plant nutrients with the external feed. The major share of these nutrients ends up in faeces and urine. Only a small portion is re-exported with animal products. Much depends on the livestock / crop land ratio and manure management practices whether this import of plant nutrients will have a positive impact on the environment (soil fertility, soil structure and sustainable land use) or a negative impact through overloading of the local environment with nutrients.

The potential of this system to enhance the positive effects of livestock production on the environment is large. Main factors are livestock / land ratio and manure management. If well balanced and performed it can help to mitigate the negative impacts of crop cultivation on the environment, even facilitate to restore degraded land. On the cost side there are an increased demand for fossil fuel (transport and processing), mining of plant nutrients in areas of origin of the external feed, and a loss of genetic bio-diversity of livestock species.

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