Publisher's Synopsis
This text has been compiled from presentations at the fourth International Symposium on Livestock Farming Systems, held in Foulum, Denmark, 22-23 August, 1996. The traditional view of a livestock farm whose sole function is to supply food and fibre has changed. Aspects such as resource efficiency, environmental protection, product quality and animal welfare are now important social issues.;This work presents concepts and methods for systemic research into livestock farming systems, focusing on the challenges for systems-oriented research created by the changed perception of livestock farming. The papers focus on the following four topics: assessment of livestock farming diversity and sustainability; product quality and livestock farming systems; on-farm assessment of animal welfare and herd health management; and resource efficiency and environmental aspects of livestock farming.
