Stockraising

Stockraising, or livestock farming, is the practice of breeding, rearing, and managing animals for agricultural products such as meat, milk, eggs, fiber, labor, or hides. It covers species including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and, in some regions, camels and llamas. It ranges from commercial operations to subsistence and smallholder contexts.

Farming systems vary from extensive grazing on pasture to intensive confinement with controlled housing and feed. Many enterprises combine methods seasonally. Core activities include breeding or genetic selection, ration formulation, water and shelter management, health care, vaccination, parasite control, and record-keeping for production and finances.

Nutrition and welfare are central. Nutrition involves forage management, feed planning, and supplements to meet production goals. Welfare covers humane handling, appropriate stocking density, biosecurity, and disease prevention through vaccination and monitoring. Reproduction relies on genetics, selective breeding, and artificial insemination where used.

Economically, stockraising is capital- and labor-intensive and sensitive to market and climate conditions. Environmental considerations include land use, methane and other emissions, manure management, and water use. Sustainable practices emphasize pasture management, nutrient recycling, and crop–livestock integration where possible.

Historically, livestock domestication and selective breeding shaped stockraising across civilizations. Today, major producers are found in parts of North America, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, with both large commercial farms and smallholder operations.

Challenges include disease outbreaks, price volatility, and regulatory and welfare standards. Ongoing research and policy aim to improve productivity, animal well-being, and environmental sustainability while maintaining food security and rural livelihoods.