NC State Researchers Study Livestock Sustainability

N-C State researchers are looking at whether livestock production can keep up with the global demand.

The N-C State panel looked at what it will take to meet demand for meat, dairy and eggs as the world population grows.

"Double animal agriculture production over the next few decades, " said Kelly Zering, the professor who led the study. He says research shows it can be done.

However, they are concerned about the long-term effect on the environment. Zering says work to lessen the use of agricultural chemical is advancing, but continues, "there's a question of whether or not investments are being made now to maintain the research and get the kind of productivity gains we've had over the last several decades."

Zering says U-S extension services are proving to be a blueprint for agricultural management in other countries.