Livestock is an important part of an integrated organic farming the most. They make a valuable contribution to the productivity and sustainability of organic farming systems.In addition to the strong economic relationship between humans and animals in organic farming, there are links (and sometimes emotional) to animals as moral beings and live together on this planet. It's a heavy responsibility on the people to the welfare of livestock. However, the development of organic agriculture is slower than the production of organic crops. There are several reasons for this, the history and philosophy, and the fact that the study of livestock production is often more expensive and difficult to perform compared with the study of plants. However, organic animal studies increased significantly in several European countries recently, and because of this increased efficiency and productivity can be expected in organic livestock production, and improve animal welfare.
There is great interest in organic farming in Europe, both among politicians, consumers and farmers. Organic farming subsidies from the EU and the Commission is currently preparing an action plan for organic food and farming. Animals are an integral part of most agriculture and research to develop better biological systems are being implemented in many European countries. So we can expect that organic farming for many years to come. At the same time there are challenges and dilemmas that the organic movement and organic farmers have to face and to improve animal production and to resolve credibility and trust among users maintain, for example in relation to animal welfare.
In organic farming, agriculture is often referred to as agro-ecosystem.Agroecosystems are communities of plants and animals interact with the physical and chemical environments that have been modified by humans for food, fiber and other products for human consumption and produce processing. The purpose of organic agriculture is a blanket unit agroecosystem landscape design, or mimic the structure and function of local natural ecosystems, sustainability and durability. Ideally, organic growers to manipulate ecosystems to achieve continuous production, with the understanding of ecological relationships while trying to use external inputs and environmental damage to a minimum.
Although it is possible to agroecosystem without livestock, animals provide a great benefit to the productivity and sustainability of the system. For example, livestock have an important role in the processing of biomass and recycling nutrients. Organic farming systems with herbivores are generally more productive than those without them. The animals can fill in other trophic niches will not be used, for example, marginal land unsuitable for agriculture set. However, in order to create a sustainable agro-ecosystem, must be part of an animal for a specific condition: -
1. The selection of species and varieties must be adapted to the production of crops suitable for the area, the available power at regional and local agricultural or agro-climatic conditions.
2. The number of animals should be assessed in relation to crop production and resources may be available.
3. Maintenance system should be designed to prevent environmental damage and minimize the use of fossil energy.
Ruminants such as cows and goats, have a very important role in the agro-ecosystem because the process of green leguminous plants. This is the backbone of organic farming because of their ability to fix nitrogen from the air. To obtain sufficient nitrogen in organic crop rotation, about a third of the crop must be nuts. In practice this means that organic livestock production should be based on ruminants (like eating ruminants). Unlike animals, like pigs and poultry monogastric, requires high-quality protein in their diet. Animals can be viewed as competition with humans for food, at least insofar as they are protein sources suitable for direct human consumption. So, some people believe that animals should be regarded as marginal monogastric in organic farming, especially for agricultural waste feed. They also can contribute to agro-ecosystem to useful services such as biological pest control or weed production.
Development of biological approaches to livestock production in developing countries should be based on realistic and practical situations. First, we must recognize the limitations and complexity of export markets for animal products, while providing greater market opportunities for organic livestock products on the site, for chickens and eggs, for example customs. Practical approach to organic farming should be based on and developed from the existing system of local animal production has been closely similar to organic practices are determined, as mentioned previously for ruminants and domestic poultry production. Local standards and guidelines for organic livestock must first be considered and developed through practices such as agriculture. Further development of this standard will be a continuous process based on practical experience in the processing, production and marketing of organic farm products.