Organic farms often include farm animals as an integral part. They are valuable contributors to organic agriculture’s sustainability and productivity. Apart from the strong economic connection between organic farmers and their animals, there is also a strong moral (and sometimes emotional!) bond between them as fellow sentient beings. This means that humans have a responsibility to ensure the welfare of farm animals. Organic plant production has seen organic animal husbandry develop slower than organic plant production. This is due to historical and philosophical reasons, as well as the fact animal research is often more costly and more difficult than crop research. Organic animal research has been increasing in many European countries recently. This means that organic animal production can be expected to have higher efficiency and productivity, as well as better animal welfare. Kleintierpraxis Cremlingen Dein Tierarzt in Braunschweig

Organic farming is very popular in Europe. This includes consumers, politicians, and farmers. The EU subsidizes organic agriculture and the Commission is currently developing an Action Plan to support organic food and agriculture. Many European countries are conducting research to improve organic systems. Animals play an important role in organic farms. In the coming years, organic animal production will increase. However, there are many challenges that organic farmers and the organic movement must overcome to increase animal production and maintain credibility and trust with consumers.

Organic farming is commonly referred to by the term “agroecosystem”. An agroecosystem refers to a group of plants and animals that interact with each other in their natural and artificial environments. It can be used by humans to produce food, fibers, and other products for human consumption. Organic farming’s goal is to create a network of agroecosystems that mimic the structure and function local ecosystems. This will help them become resilient and sustainable. The organic farmer works with the natural ecosystem to produce sustainable food. He must have a good understanding of the ecological relationships and minimize external inputs. Kleintierpraxis Cremlingen Tierarzt in der Nähe von Braunschweig

It is possible to create an agroecosystem without a farm animal but animal provides significant advantages for system productivity, sustainability, and efficiency. Farm animals play an important role in the processing of biomass and recycling nutrients. Organic farming systems that include herbivores are more productive than those without them. Animals can be used to fill trophic gaps that would otherwise not be filled, such as marginal lands unsuitable for agriculture. To create sustainable agroecosystems however, the animal component must fulfill certain requirements.

1. Selection of breeds and species must be made in accordance with the local climate, available resources, and the crop production.

2. 2. The ratio of the number of animals to available crop production and resources must be balanced.

3. The design of the rearing system must avoid causing harm to the environment and minimize the use fossil energy.

Because they are the ones who process leguminous forage plant, ruminants such as sheep and cattle, play a crucial role in agroecosystems. Because of their ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, they are essential for organic crop production. A third of organic crop rotations should contain legumes to obtain enough nitrogen. This means that organic animal production must be based upon ruminants and that they are fed as ruminants. Monogastric animals, like pigs and poultry, need high-quality protein. These animals could be considered to be competing with humans for food. Monogastric animals are sometimes considered to be marginal in organic agriculture, where they mainly eat agricultural wastes. They can also contribute to the agroecosystem through providing useful services such as pest control or biological weed control. Kleintierpraxis Cremlingen der Tierarzt für Königslutter

The development of organic animal production in developing nations must be based upon realistic and pragmatic situations. First, it is important to recognize the limitations and complexities of animal products’ export markets. However, there are greater opportunities for organic products in local markets, such as indigenous chicken meat and eggs. Organic farming methods should be developed and based on locally-developed animal production systems that are closely related to organic standards, such as the ones mentioned for indigenous chicken and ruminant production. These existing animal husbandry practices should be considered first and then developed into guidelines and standards for organic animal farming. These standards will continue to be developed.