Developing strategy in Hungarian animal production

Abstract

The main changes in the field of Hungarian animal husbandry during the past decades are summarised by the authors. It was established that the number of livestock decreased strongly, the level of ruminants being 35 per cent lower and that of non- ruminants 50 per cent lower than would be desirable. In the area of developing concepts the main aspects are: yield production must be based on an inland forage base; the breeding livestock should also be capable of satisfying the particular demands of the consumer. Therefore it is essential that genotype, sex and length of the growing and fattening period, together with a number of elements of the keeping system and feeding regime used, be optimised. During technological development the aspects of animal protection and lower water consumption must also be borne in mind. Different recommendations should be made for strategies with respect to livestock belonging to the market sphere (milk production, pig and poultry sectors, etc.) and for livestock serving purposes not only in animal production but also with respect to environmental and social policy (cattle, horses, etc.). The concept is presented in detail: on the one hand, for the depiction of the market sphere, by the example of the strategy for pig production, and on the other hand, to illustrate the sphere which is not absolutely market-oriented, by the example of the strategy for grazing animals.