Sustainable Animal Production and Livestock Practices
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 318
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
It is our pleasure to announce a new Special Issue of Sustainability titled “Sustainable Animal Production and Livestock Practices”.
Animal production faces global challenges due to the food crisis, rising input prices, the climate crisis, the post-pandemic effects of the COVID-19 and wars and conflicts. All of these issues impact producers and increase global food costs. In addition to these challenges, there is one that cuts across the rest: sustainability.
One of the key questions about animal production is that it is often the result of intensive practices, which are not sustainable over time. This is one of the reasons why, in some countries and sectors of the population, there is a decrease in, or even elimination of, meat consumption, so much so that it is estimated that by 2030 alternative protein sources will represent 15% of the market. The technology used to produce cultured meat is being increasingly used in production, with some non-meat-producing countries being potential candidates for adopting these technological alternatives. However, the consumption of animal protein is a way of obtaining amino acids and essential fatty acids that are not obtained in such quantities or in such bioavailable forms in other foods, so its consumption should not be ruled out, especially in some population groups (children, the elderly, people with certain pathologies).
Other public concerns are animal welfare, production conditions and greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is necessary to examine the scientific support for these social beliefs, considering the possible economic interests that influence some published studies and recommendations. In this context, it is crucial to explore research supported by experts who argue that livestock production can be sustainable and respectful of the environment and livestock.
This Special Issue welcomes review articles and research papers that address advanced and innovative solutions promoting sustainable animal meat production. Research topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Strategies of sustainable livestock;
- Animal welfare and sustainability;
- Strategies for the mitigation of gas emissions from livestock;
- Livestock and conservation grazing;
- Regenerative practices in livestock production;
- Strategies of sustainability in patrimonial animal production;
- Carbon balance in livestock;
- Integration of agroforestry and livestock;
- Strategies of the circular economy in livestock;
- Agroecological livestock production;
- Strategies to add value to grass-fed products.
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Rodrigo Morales
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- sustainable livestock
- animal welfare
- greenhouse gas emissions
- conservation grazing
- regenerative practices
- agroecological livestock production
- circular economy
- carbon balance
- integration of agroforestry and livestock
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