Livestock Production in Front of Population Growth and Climate Change Challenges: A Threaten to Extensive Farming Systems or A Balanced Coexistence with Intensive Systems?

Abstract

The present report focuses on highlighting the response of livestock production towards the double challenge of population growth and climate change. Intensive and extensive systems are taken into account as the major contributors for overcoming these challenges. Their future participation in the coverage of the increased demands of animal products trying, simultaneously, to retain a green footprint by terms of a decline environmental impact is discussed. Both types of livestock systems could contribute with a positive impact on the aforementioned challenges, but extensive systems, although their key advantages for animal production, seem to need further adaptation in order to overcome these challenges.