Over the years, the world of agriculture has undergone a complete transformation. Fueled by technological advancements and the growing demands of food, biotechnology has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing agriculture, including livestock production. In this article, I will explore the many ways that biotechnology has transformed the livestock industry.
Genetic engineering has enabled scientists to create variations in animals that can improve their health and well-being, agricultural production, and protection against diseases. This process involves the insertion or modification of specific genes to produce desired traits such as improved meat quality and increased milk production. According to a study by the US Department of Agriculture, scientists used genetic engineering to produce cattle that are resistant to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). This trait not only improves the health and well-being of cattle worldwide but also reduces the cost for the U.S. cattle sector by billions of dollars.
It is a well-known fact that livestock production is responsible for a large portion of the world’s climate change by emitting carbon and nitrogen compounds. This contributes to climate change, specifically air and water pollution. This is clearly unsustainable and ineffective. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the human demand for food will double by the year 2050. In order to support the growing need for food and also maintain our earth’s bio-system, food must be produced sustainably by limiting the amount of water and land used. Scientists are using biotechnology to improve growth and efficiently grow feed through growth implants and beta-adrenergic agonists. While estrogen-based implants provide hormones that work simultaneously with the animal's natural hormones to improve the growth rate of female cows, beta-adrenergic agonists are organic molecules that bind to adrenergic receptors on cells and increase muscle mass, feed efficiency, and carcass yield. By combining the capabilities of these biotechnologies, this leads to fewer resources and less pollution. In a recent experiment, scientists compared the effects of livestock treated with implants and beta-adrenergic agonists versus those not treated with any biotechnologies. The livestock treated with biotechnologies ended up reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 31%.
Biotechnology’s impact on livestock farming is underrated. The advancements in this field have brought about remarkable changes in the livestock industry; hopefully, these changes will address problems such as environmental sustainability and global food security. As biotechnology continues to grow, the livestock industry will grow alongside it, promising a better future where efficient and sustainable livestock production becomes the standard.
References
Animal biotechnology. (n.d.). National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Retrieved August 29, 2023, from https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/biotechnology-programs/animal-biotechnology
Cooprider, K. L., et al. "Feedlot efficiency implications on greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability." Journal of Animal Science 89.8 (2011): 2643-2656.
Neumeier, C. J., & Mitloehner, F. M. (2013). Cattle biotechnologies reduce environmental impact and help feed a growing planet. Animal Frontiers, 3(3), 36–41. https://doi.org/10.2527/af.2013-0022
Scientists use gene-editing technology to produce first calf resistant to major viral disease : USDA ARS. (n.d.). Usda.gov. Retrieved August 29, 2023, from https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2023/scientists-use-gene-editing-technology-to-produce-first-calf-resistant-to-major-viral-disease/
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