Improving Sustainability, Welfare, and Meat Quality in Livestock Production

Dear Colleagues,

Meat is the most valuable source of highly digestible nutrients for people, and sustainable livestock production is the clue to sustainable food production. Meat production is an important branch of the food industry. However, livestock housing systems have different potential when it comes to being sustainable and to offering animals a high level of welfare. Both the environmental conditions on the farm and the welfare of livestock will affect the performance of animals reared for meat, as well as the intrinsic meat quality attributes. Animals reared in pasture or outdoors with access to natural foodstuffs produce meat of different attributes than those reared indoors, under controlled environments, fed with commercial feed. It is not only the effect of indoor vs. outdoor, obviously. Outdoor housing is related to increased exercise and a specific diet, in most cases with certain breeds or breed crosses. These kinds of housing systems have greater potential to produce fit animals which will be the source of high-quality meat, usually characterized by specific flavor and aroma. Some indoor systems also have the potential to offer a high level of welfare, such as deep-bedded systems. However, aside from the influence of deep-bedded housing on fattening performance, the effect on the quality of meat has not been proven.

This Special Issue focuses on alternative, extensive animal husbandry practices that allow for the production of high-quality meat while maintaining high welfare standards and being in balance with the environment.

Dr. Agnieszka Ludwiczak
Dr. Joanna Składanowska-Baryza
Guest Editors

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