Curitiba - August, 13th, 14th and 15th

Crop – livestock integration is the term given to systems of production that integrate crop and livestock enterprises in a systematic and synergistic manner. These production systems are particularly important for developing countries, for of the rural poor population in those countries, two-thirds have livestock on their small farms, and 60% of those utilize integrated production systems. Although crop – livestock integration may not be a novel approach, it is a concept gaining renewed interest, especially in association with other conservation technologies, such as conservation tillage. Positive changes brought about by this new concept alter the biophysical and socio-economic dynamics of production systems, providing a viable alternative to the intensified and highly specialized production systems developed during the second half of the 20th century, which have led to loss of biodiversity, environmental pollution, and non-sustainable use of environmental resources within crop and livestock production systems.