Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with the breeding, care, and management of animals that are raised for meat, fiber, milk, eggs, or other products. It includes day-to-day care, selective breeding, and the raising of livestock. The practice has a long history, dating back to the Neolithic Revolution when animals were first domesticated. By the time of early civilizations such as ancient Egypt, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs were being raised on farms. Today, farmers and ranchers who raise livestock are considered to practice animal husbandry.
Animal husbandry involves the management and care of animals in which the genetic qualities and behavior of animals are further developed for profit. It is a large-scale business that involves poultry, milk-farms, apiculture (bee agriculture), aquaculture, and other types of animal farming. The care, breeding, management, etc of animals are particularly monitored under the department of animal husbandry.
Animal husbandry has a substantial environmental impact, occupying about a third of the earth’s ice-free land, causing loss of habitat and emitting about half of all greenhouse gas worldwide. Since the 18th century, people have become increasingly concerned about the welfare of farm animals, and laws and standards are widely enforced in response.
Animal husbandry is an ancient practice linking the lives of animals and humans, and it also holds keys to sustainable practices for the future. As our understanding of animal relationships deepens, so too can our understanding of animal husbandry and the possibilities within that work.
