CLIMATE-SMART LIVESTOCK FARMING: SUSTAINABLE FEEDING, ANIMAL HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Climate change presents significant challenges to livestock production, animal health, food security, and environmental sustainability. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, droughts, and changing patterns of infectious diseases can negatively affect animal productivity and welfare. At the same time, livestock systems contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, land degradation, and the generation of organic waste. Climate-smart livestock farming offers an integrated approach to addressing these challenges by combining climate adaptation, emission reduction, improved productivity, and sustainable resource management. This paper examines the principal strategies for developing climate-resilient livestock systems, with particular attention to animal nutrition, veterinary healthcare, water conservation, manure management, and the use of renewable energy and digital technologies. A narrative literature review approach is used to synthesize information from scientific literature and reports published by recognized international organizations. The review indicates that balanced animal feeding, improved herd health, appropriate breeding strategies, efficient water use, and responsible manure management can support more resilient livestock production. However, implementation depends on local climatic conditions, farm size, financial resources, technical knowledge, and access to veterinary services. The paper concludes that climate-smart livestock farming should be developed through locally appropriate practices, farmer education, scientific research, and supportive agricultural policies.