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How do mixed crop-and-livestock farms reduce agricultural waste?

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A row of cattle with brown and black coats eat feed from a long trough in a South African feedlot, separated by wooden fencing. — Feed Feedlot cattle eating grain in an intensive animal farm in South Africa.

Mixed crop-and-livestock farms reduce agricultural waste by creating interconnected systems where the byproducts of one process serve as resources for another.1

A primary method for achieving this is the management of farm manure. Livestock produce significant amounts of manure, which consists of excreta and bedding materials like straw. Instead of being treated as waste, this manure is a valuable source of organic matter and plant nutrients. When incorporated into the topsoil, it acts as a fertilizer that improves the soil's physical character, enhances water retention, and helps prevent erosion.2

Furthermore, these integrated systems allow for the recycling of nutrients through composting crop residues and other agricultural wastes. By returning these materials to the farmland, farmers can restore soil productivity and reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers. This circular approach minimizes the accumulation of waste, supports sustainable agriculture, and maintains ecosystem health by ensuring that nutrients are efficiently reused within the farm environment.12