ABSTRACT
World meat production increased from 44 million tons in 1950 to 216 million tons in 1998, expanding almost twice as fast as population. Growth in meat production was originally concentrated in western industrial countries and Japan, but over the last few decades it has increased rapidly in East Asia especially China, the Middle East, and Latin America. Historically, growth in the world meat supply came primarily from beef and mutton, sustained by the worlds range lands. With little unused grazing capacity left, future gains in meat production will have to come largely from feeding animals grain. At this point, the relative conversion efficiency of various animals begins to influence production trends. If the grain fed to livestock or poultry is supplemented with a modest amount of soybean meal, its conversion into meat is much more efficient. Grain fed to livestock and poultry is now the principal food reserve in the event of a world food emergency.
