Livestock Management

Definition of Livestock Management

Livestock management is the planned and ongoing practice of caring for, feeding, housing, breeding, and monitoring farm animals to maintain their health, welfare, and productivity. It encompasses day-to-day husbandry decisions as well as long-term strategies that balance animal performance with environmental stewardship and economic viability.

Effective livestock management integrates nutrition, animal health, welfare standards, biosecurity, and record-keeping to support sustainable and resilient farming systems.

Why Livestock Management Matters

Livestock management matters because it directly influences animal well-being, farm profitability, food quality, and environmental impact. Its importance includes:

• Improving animal health and welfare outcomes

• Enhancing productivity and reproductive performance

• Reducing disease risk through good husbandry and biosecurity

• Supporting food safety and supply chain reliability

• Optimising feed use and resource efficiency

• Lowering environmental pressures such as emissions and nutrient losses

Well-managed livestock systems are more resilient to disease, climate variability, and market change.

Key Elements of Livestock Management

• Nutrition and Feeding – Balanced diets tailored to species, age, and production stage

• Animal Health Care – Disease prevention, monitoring, and veterinary support

• Housing and Environment – Safe, clean, and appropriate living conditions

• Breeding and Genetics – Selection for health, productivity, and resilience

• Biosecurity Practices – Preventing the introduction and spread of disease

• Grazing and Pasture Management – Sustainable use of grassland resources

• Record-Keeping and Monitoring – Tracking performance, treatments, and movements

Related Terms

• Animal Health

• Animal Welfare

• Biosecurity

• Ruminant

• Grazing Systems

• Sustainable Livestock

Useful Resources on Livestock Management

Explore these authoritative resources to learn more about best practice livestock husbandry and sustainable management systems:

• FAO – Livestock Management and Production Systems – Global guidance on sustainable livestock practices.

• World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) – Standards for animal health and welfare management.

• DEFRA – Livestock Management and Welfare (UK) – Official UK guidance on animal husbandry and compliance.

• USDA – Livestock Production and Management – Practical resources for animal care and productivity.

• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – Research on livestock systems and rural livelihoods.

• CABI – Livestock Health and Production Compendium – Technical information on livestock management and disease.

• AGRIS – Livestock Management Research Database – Peer-reviewed agricultural research.

• Royal Veterinary College (RVC) – Research and education on animal health and welfare.

• Our World in Data – Livestock and Food Systems – Data on livestock production and sustainability impacts.

• OECD – Livestock and Agricultural Sustainability – Policy insights into livestock systems and environmental outcomes.