Mechanization of Livestock Production in the United States

Abstract

Domesticated livestock have always been an important part of agricultural production. They have been utilized as scavengers to consume the production which could not otherwise be marketed at a better return. Livestock systems were typically very small holdings and were cared for in the odd time that the farmer would have from tending crops. This has been referred to as chores. The chores were done in the morning before field work and in the evening after return from the field. There was slow change in this system or in the pattern of production until after World War II. Since that time because of the shifts in population and the desire for better living conditions that could be afforded in urban areas livestock production has been systemized. Dairy production was one of the first livestock operations to be mechanized. Perhaps this is due to the milking operation being one of the most odious chores which had to be performed in livestock production. The milking machine was a very welcome addition to the farm industry.