Ganadería

Ganadería refers to the practice and industry of breeding and raising domesticated livestock for commercial purposes. In Spanish-speaking contexts, the term encompasses various forms of livestock production, including cattle (beef and dairy), sheep, goats, and horses, as well as the management of herds on farms and ranches. The word can denote both the enterprises that raise animals and the broader sector that supplies meat, milk, wool, and other animal products. Two common forms are ganadería extensiva, which relies on grazing and large land areas with relatively low stocking densities, and ganadería intensiva, which concentrates animals in controlled facilities or feedlots to maximize output.

Historically, ganadería developed alongside agriculture in many regions, with particular importance in pastoral and ranching cultures. In Spain and Portugal, traditional ganadería has included breeding stock for meat and for breeding bulls used in taurine activities, while in much of the Americas the industry expanded with cattle ranching, dairy farming, and sheep farming. Today, major producers include countries in the Americas, Europe, and Africa, where climate, soil, and markets shape practices.

Management practices cover breeding and genetics, nutrition, health care, and pasture or feed management. Breeding programs often use selective mating or artificial insemination to improve productivity, fertility, and product quality. Environmental and welfare considerations, such as sustainable land use, animal welfare, and greenhouse gas emissions, are increasingly integrated into ganadería policies and certifications.