
==== Front
Sci Rep
Sci Rep
Scientific Reports
2045-2322
Nature Publishing Group UK London

72462
10.1038/s41598-024-72462-4
Article
Exploring high quality development of animal husbandry in Qinghai province from the perspective of the Tibetan sheep industry
Luo Guangyang
Cui Jina qhucuijina@163.com

https://ror.org/05h33bt13 grid.262246.6 0000 0004 1765 430X College of Finance and Economics, Qinghai University, No.251, Ningda Road, Chengbei District, Xining, Qinghai China
14 9 2024
14 9 2024
2024
14 2150028 5 2024
6 9 2024
© The Author(s) 2024
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
The Tibetan sheep industry is a typical representative of plateau animal husbandry and grassland animal husbandry and is also one of the characteristic industries in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region. The study of this industry is of great significance to promoting the high-quality development of animal husbandry and the region. Based on the production data and statistical data of Tibetan sheep in the main producing areas of Qinghai Province, this paper adopts the entropy method and the coupling coordination degree model to study the high-quality development of animal husbandry in Qinghai province from five dimensions: product quality, production efficiency, economic benefits, environmental friendliness and environmental conditions. The results showed that the high-quality development level and coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture of Qinghai Province showed an upward trend from 2015 to 2020. Among them, the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture of Qinghai Province significantly increased from 2019 to 2020, but the coupling coordination degree decreased.

Keywords

Tibetan sheep industry
High-quality development
Evaluation index system
Coupling coordination
Subject terms

Agroecology
Environmental economics
Grassland ecology
issue-copyright-statement© Springer Nature Limited 2024
==== Body
pmcIntroduction

Animal husbandry is a strategic industry that meets people's demand for high-quality meat, eggs, and milk1,2. It is also a pillar industry that increases the income of farmers and herders3, promotes shared prosperity4, and realizes rural revitalization5,6. The high-quality development of animal husbandry is significant in meeting people's aspirations for a better life7. Animal husbandry development in most countries would go through stages such as rapid establishment, capacity expansion, transformation and development, and healthy breeding, which will continuously improve the supply of meat, eggs and milk but also make outstanding contributions to national health and food security8,9. However, from the perspective of the development of animal husbandry, it is still faced with problems such as occasional food safety incidents10, increasingly prominent environmental problems11, and urgent optimization of production efficiency12, which seriously affect the balance of market supply and demand13 and deepen the public's distrust of meat and livestock products14. The Opinions on Promoting High-quality Development of Animal Husbandry issued by The State Council in 2020 put forward that “animal husbandry should form a new pattern of high-quality development featuring efficient output, product safety, resource conservation, environmental friendliness and effective regulation15.” The high-quality development of animal husbandry is an essential guarantee for people's lives and an indispensable part of optimizing the industrial structure.

At present, the external development of animal husbandry is also facing many challenges16,17, such as the substantial rise of trade protectionism18 and the continuous turbulence of the international situation19, which significantly impacts the introduction of high-quality livestock breeds in animal husbandry20 and the import of feed raw materials21. In order to ensure the safety of the meat, egg and milk supply chain, we must adhere to self-reliance22 and achieve an independent animal husbandry system23. Therefore, how to effectively use the domestic resource endowment24 and establish an efficient animal husbandry system25 has become the key to solving the problem. In 2024, the No.1 Central Document proposed to "optimize the pig production capacity control mechanism, stabilize the basic production capacity of beef and mutton, improve the liquid milk standard and support far-reaching Marine aquaculture" to achieve stable production and supply of essential agricultural and livestock products26; In other words, it is necessary and responsible for the export of livestock products based on grassland grazing to promote the high-quality development of animal husbandry and play the primary responsibility of protecting the ecological environment while providing safe and reliable livestock products.

Qinghai Province is located in northwest China, with a vast territory and rich grassland resources, and has unique advantages in developing animal husbandry27. Therefore, animal husbandry has played an enormous role in "ensuring ecology, supply and security" in Qinghai Province28. Over the years, Qinghai Province has continuously increased policy support29, expert guidance30 and technical input31 for the development of animal husbandry, which plays a vital role in the healthy development of agricultural and animal husbandry areas32,33. However, weak infrastructure34, prominent ecological and environmental problems35, low production and breeding efficiency36, unsound support system37 and weak ability to resist risks38 are still important factors restricting the high-quality development of animal husbandry in Qinghai Province. The purpose of this paper is as follows: Based on the survey data and practical problems found during the survey, an index system that includes product quality, production efficiency, economic benefits, environmental friendliness, and environmental conditions was established. The entropy method and coupling coordination degree model were adopted to analyze the challenges and high-quality development status of the Tibetan sheep industry in Qinghai Province, further find out the reasons for its changes and give corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. This will help fill the gap in the comprehensive evaluation of animal husbandry and help the high-quality development of the Tibetan sheep industry in Qinghai Province. It has essential exploration significance for animal husbandry's green, healthy and sustainable development.

Literature review

The research object of this paper is the Tibetan sheep industry. The research area involves the Tibetan Plateau, the source of Three Rivers and the minority areas, which have certain typicality and particularity. The study of its high-quality development is a supplement to related fields. Therefore, this paper first sorted out the focus of high-quality development of animal husbandry and analyzed the commonness and direction of current animal husbandry development. Secondly, from the perspective of the Tibetan sheep industry, the characteristics of high-quality development of animal husbandry and other industries are compared to clarify the differences between the Tibetan sheep industry and the shortcomings of current research.

The focus of high-quality development of animal husbandry

Because of the special status of animal husbandry, in the development process, it is first necessary to consider the production capacity problem39 to meet the needs of People's Daily lives, ensure market stability and ensure food security, which is the primary goal of animal husbandry development40. Then, after the gradual increase in the supply of livestock products, people's demand for the quality, safety and category of related products has gradually changed, improving the level of product quality and safety and expanding the variety of nutrition and health products have become an essential part of the high-quality development and sustainable development of animal husbandry41. In the breeding link, the safety of livestock products, in addition to relying on high-quality feed and scientific feeding, and animal epidemic prevention are also an indispensable part of it and are essential guarantees for the sustainable and healthy development of animal husbandry42. Therefore, in the pursuit of high-quality development of animal husbandry, strengthen technical support43, and promote the continuous integration of biotechnology (breeding, hybridization, epidemic prevention), breeding technology (irrigation, large-scale feeding), information technology (Internet, cloud computing, Internet of Things, big data) and agricultural management technology with animal husbandry44. It lays a foundation for the optimization of factor allocation, the transformation and upgrading of industrial structure, and the improvement of production efficiency. High-quality development requires high efficiency, fairness, green and sustainability; therefore, the high-quality development of animal husbandry must be low carbon, low energy consumption and low pollution route to achieve resource-saving, environmentally friendly and ecological conservation development45,46, establish and improve the manure fertilizer utilization mechanism47, ecological and grassland resources as the limit to achieve the balance of people, grass and livestock48. In addition, animal welfare is also a focus that cannot be ignored in the development of animal husbandry. Animal welfare is not only related to the food safety and quality of consumers but also affects the high-quality development of animal husbandry49. After the implementation of animal welfare policies, the premium paid due to the increase in production costs and changes in consumer preferences has also triggered a series of disputes50.

Promote the high-quality development of animal husbandry; there is a realistic need to stabilize the order and ensure people's livelihood. Analyzing its driving factors is the inherent requirement to realize the high-quality development of animal husbandry. Generally speaking, technology, capital, resources and other factors are the basis of industrial development; therefore, the difference in the use of factors and factors is the internal factor of the difference in the high-quality development of animal husbandry in the eastern, middle and western regions of China51. Specifically, the practical path to achieve high-quality development of animal husbandry is to optimize the organizational form, improve production efficiency, return to a moderate scale, combine breeding and low-carbon farming, and promote the long-term stability and precision of industrial policies52,53. Regarding system guarantee and rule of law construction, strict system management and strict rule of law guarantee should be implemented based on the industrial base and resource conditions54. A scientific policy support system should be built to strengthen technological innovation, promote the construction of industrial systems and management systems, and improve the industry's core competitiveness to achieve high-quality animal husbandry development55. In terms of industrial development, we will accelerate the adjustment, upgrading and optimization of industrial structure, promote the integrated development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries, promote regional brand building, and enable high-quality agriculture and animal husbandry development56.

To sum up, the current development of animal husbandry focuses on production capacity, quality, safety and category, which is mainly supported by safe feed, scientific breeding, strict epidemic prevention, efficient technology and improved animal welfare. However, the academic community pays less attention to the particularity of grassland animal husbandry and more attention to the impact of breeding on the ecological environment, which makes it easy to ignore the impact of environmental conditions on breeding efficiency and product quality.

Comparative analysis of high-quality development of animal husbandry

Culturing different kinds of animals in different environments also makes the focus of high-quality development different. For example, due to concerns about intensive pig farming, consumers are turning to farming in extensive conditions, believing that this will reduce the use of antibiotics in organic production, while providing more room for pigs to improve animal welfare57; Similarly, in the field of broiler breeding, intensive farming tends to have a negative impact on meat quality, so stocking density under extensive farming conditions is an essential indicator of high-quality development58; The horse is rarely used as a source of meat, and considering its use for racing or other purposes, the breeding of the horse is not enough for social play and social grooming, and it is necessary to consider the distance between the horses, that is, to avoid the pressure caused by space constraints59; In aquaculture, overcrowding, low-oxygen environments, inadequate diets, infrequent handling of dead fish and incorrect handling procedures are major risk factors that need to be avoided60; The naturalness of the environment in which dairy cows are kept is the focus of public concern, which not only includes access to daylight and fresh air, but also needs to meet the animal's specific living habits61. Tibetan sheep farming in Qinghai Province combines free-range and captive breeding. However, due to the uncertainty of the grassland grazing environment and the possible damage to grassland, it is necessary to pay attention to the impact on the environment and the impact on Tibetan sheep to measure its high-quality development62–64.

Compared with the high-quality development indicators of other industries, the high-quality development of animal husbandry has its particularity, mainly manifested in production efficiency65 and environmental status66. On the one hand, the industrial production efficiency of other industries, such as manufacturing and transportation, is reflected in the practitioners and other input factors. However, the production efficiency of animal husbandry is closely related to the raising of animals, and the production efficiency of animals is related to breeding technology, feeding environment and feeding conditions67. In other words, the production efficiency of animals is a reflection of production capacity and front-end input. The higher the production efficiency, the more basic the expansion of production capacity, and at the same time, the more influential the front-end investment. On the other hand, compared with other industries, animal husbandry is more affected by the environment, and it is difficult to ensure the high quality of animal products in a poor ecological environment68. Therefore, the internal logical relationship between the ecological environment and industrial development should be considered when studying the high-quality development of animal husbandry.

The above results show that the environmental conditions affect the development of the Tibetan sheep industry, but the main reason is the uncertainty of field conditions. At the same time, compared with other industries, the high-quality development of animal husbandry has its particularity, which has not been clearly distinguished in the existing research. In addition, establishing a comprehensive index system in animal husbandry for evaluation research is less. Therefore, this paper takes the production efficiency and environmental conditions of the Tibetan sheep industry as the entry point to comprehensively evaluate the development level of animal husbandry and analyze the essential factors that need attention in the development of animal husbandry, which is not only an exploration of this field but also provides specific ideas and references for subsequent studies.

Evaluation of high-quality development level of animal husbandry

Index system construction

This part will be based on the connotation and characteristics of high-quality development of animal husbandry and the current situation and facts of the Tibetan sheep main producing areas in Qinghai Province, and follow the principles of systemization, objectivity, comprehensiveness, operability and data availability to build a high-quality development evaluation index system of animal husbandry. This paper's evaluation objective of the "high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry" is the primary index. Five aspects of product quality(A1), production efficiency(A2), economic benefits(A3), environmental friendliness(A4) and environmental conditions(A5) are selected as the secondary index according to the focus on high-quality development of animal husbandry in the literature review, the particularity of the Tibetan sheep industry and reference to relevant literature69–71. Specific indicators are shown in Table 1 as follows:Table 1 Indicator system for evaluating the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry.

	Secondary indicators	Tertiary indicators	Indicator attribute	
Level of high-quality development of the Tibetan sheep industry	Product quality (A1)	Proportion of Tibetan sheep in the total number of lambs (A11)	 − 	
Production efficiency (A2)	Survival rate of ewes in reproduction (A21)	 + 	
Survival rate of lambs during fattening (A22)	 + 	
Mortality rate of ewes (A23)	 − 	
Live weight of lambs at 6 months old (A24)	 + 	
Scale of farming/labor input (A25)	 + 	
Profit/cost of farming (A26)	 + 	
Economic benefits (A3)	Scale of ewes (A31)	 + 	
Scale of lambs (A32)	 + 	
Level of profit (A33)	 + 	
Output value/primary industry output value (A34)	 + 	
Output value/GDP (A35)	 + 	
Environmental friendliness (A4)	Pollution level of ewes (A41)	 − 	
Pollution level of lambs (A42)	 − 	
Value of ecosystem services (A43)	 + 	
Environmental conditions (A5)	Number of trees planted (A51)	 + 	
Proportion of days with qualified air quality (A52)	 + 	
Indicator attribute: + denotes a positive indicator, with higher values indicating better performance; − signifies a negative indicator, with lower values indicating better performance.

Product quality (A1)

Safety, nutrition and category are the main contents of product quality and the focus of current consumers. The pass rate of animal product quality testing is an essential reflection of safety. Since the pass rate of animal product quality testing in China has been kept above 95%72, the safety is high, and the data change is small, it is not considered included in the evaluation system. During the investigation, it was found that the breed of Tibetan sheep remained unchanged, and the nutritional structure did not change, so it was not included in the index system. The proportion of Tibetan sheep in the total number of lambs (A11) indicates the impact of Tibetan sheep farming on the types of meat and livestock products.

Production efficiency (A2)

The indicators in this dimension collectively reflect the efficiency of workers, animal husbandry and other factors. It includes 6 specific indicators, such as survival rate of ewes in reproduction( A21), survival rate of lambs during fattening (A22), mortality rate of ewes (A23), live weight of lambs at 6 months old (A24), scale of farming/labor input (A25), and profit/cost of farming (A26). The first four items represent the production efficiency of individual livestock, the scientific breeding method, advanced breeding technology, and the high efficiency of breeding research and development. The scale of farming/labor input (A25) is an important index reflecting labor productivity. Since the cost of Tibetan sheep breeding is mainly the cost of feed, the profit/cost of farming (A26) mainly reflects the input and output of materials.

Economic benefits (A3)

Economic benefit is the top priority of industrial development. Including scale of ewes (A31), scale of lambs (A32), level of profit (A33), output value/primary industry output value (A34), and output value/GDP (A35). The scale of ewes (A31) is the basis of the development of the Tibetan sheep industry and plays a supporting role in the scale change. The scale of lambs (A32) is the core of the income of Tibetan sheep breeding, so it is also the basis for farmers and herders to increase income. The level of profit (A33) reflects the prospect of industrial development and is the bridge between the scale and speed of industrial development. The output value/primary industry output value (A34) reflects the production structure of agriculture. As an efficient breeding industry mainly promoted by Qinghai Province, it also reflects the optimization speed of the industrial structure. The output value/GDP (A35) reflects the relationship between the Tibetan sheep industry and regional economic growth and reflects the driving role of this industry in regional economic growth.

Environmental friendliness (A4)

It includes three specific indicators: Pollution level of ewes (A41), pollution level of lambs (A42) and value of ecosystem services (A43). Because of the different feeding conditions, feeding methods and individual conditions of ewe and lamb, the pollution level of ewes (A41) and pollution level of lambs (A42) is measured separately. At present, scholars have not scientifically calculated the pollutant discharge coefficient of Tibetan sheep. According to the characteristics of Tibetan sheep breeding and expert suggestions, the pollutant discharge coefficient of Northwest Tan sheep is mainly calculated by referring to Li Danyang and other scholars73. The value of ecosystem services (A43) is the benefit humans get directly or indirectly from the ecosystem. With the promotion of efficient breeding technology for Tibetan sheep in Qinghai, the pressure of animal husbandry on the environment is reduced, and the ecosystem service value is improved. Concerning the calculation of Luo Zenghai and other scholars, the value of ecosystem services (A43) affected by Tibetan sheep was supplementary calculated as an indicator of changes in the carrying status of grassland74.

Environmental conditions (A5)

In grassland animal husbandry, good environmental conditions are the primary conditions for producing high-quality products. It includes two specific indicators: the number of trees planted (A51) and the proportion of days with qualified air quality (A52). The number of trees planted (A51) embodies environmental awareness, and promoting environmental awareness is conducive to improving environmental quality. The proportion of days with qualified air quality (A52) is a critical indicator of environmental quality.

Study area generalization

The main research areas of this paper are Haibei Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, and Huangnan Prefecture in Qinghai Province, one of the five major pastoral areas in China. They are located at 31°36′–39°19′ north latitude and 89°35′–103°04′ east longitude, as shown in Fig. 1. With an average altitude of 4058.40 m, they are located deep inland, far away from the sea, and on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It has a plateau continental climate. The total area of the study was 396,500 km2, accounting for 54.89% of the total area of Qinghai Province. The grassland area of Haibei Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture was 18,400 km2, 121,100 km2, 32,500 km2 and 12,300 km2, respectively. It accounts for 46.70% of the grassland in the province (The Third National Land Survey of Qinghai Province, 2022). According to the statistical data of Qinghai Province in 2022, the four prefectures raised a total of 3,115,700 cattle and 1,0713,600 sheep, accounting for 48.26% and 79.12% of the province, respectively (Qinghai Statistical Yearbook, 2023). Animal husbandry in this area plays a vital role in Qinghai and even the whole of China and is one of the focus points for promoting the high-quality development of animal husbandry.Fig. 1 Map of the study area. The Figure was created using ArcGIS 10.8 (https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/index).

Data source

The data used in this paper were mainly from the Statistical Yearbook of Qinghai Province from 2015 to 2021 and the statistical yearbook and bulletin of major Tibetan sheep-producing areas such as Haibei Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, Huangnan Prefecture. from 2015 to 2021. The production efficiency data of Tibetan sheep came from the project's research group.

Research method

The measurement of the index system in the academic circle can be divided into two categories. One is the subjective weighting method, represented by the analytic hierarchy process based on the expert's experience judgment and has greater subjectivity. The other is the objective weighting method represented by factor analysis, principal component analysis and entropy value method, which assigns weights according to the characteristics of variable indicators and objectively and comprehensively reflects the data characteristics75. Since the high-quality development of animal husbandry results from many factors, assigning weight by subjective analysis method is challenging. In order to avoid the subjectivity of index selection and weighting, this paper uses the entropy method to evaluate the high-quality development level of Tibetan sheep breeding. In addition, there is another reason to choose the entropy method: to determine the weight through the principle of information entropy, which can retain the information carried by the relevant indicators to the maximum extent, which is the advantage of the entropy method.

The entropy method reflects the state of the whole system but does not reflect the function and coordination of each subsystem (each dimension)76. Therefore, this paper takes the coupling coordination model as a supplement to the entropy method to analyze whether a single subsystem is leading the development of the Tibetan sheep industry but is unbalanced with other subsystems.

The entropy weight method

Refer to the studies of other scholars77,78, the main steps for calculating the comprehensive score of the high-quality development level of Tibetan sheep in Qinghai Province are as follows:

Step 1 Indicator selection. Assuming there are r years and m indicators in n regions, Xθij represents the value of the jth indicator in the ith region in the θth year.

Step 2 Data standardization. To ensure accuracy and reliability of the results, the indicators need to be dimensionless and in the same direction: Positive indicators: Xθij′=Xθij/Xmax; Negative indicators: Xθij′=Xmin/Xθij.

Step 3 Index normalization. The formula is: pθij=Xθij′Xθij′∑θ=1r∑i=1nXθij′∑θ=1r∑i=1nXθij′.

Where pθij represents the proportion of the jth index in ith regions in θth year.

Step 4 Calculate entropy. The formula is: ej=-k∑θ∑iyθijlnyθij.

Where ej is the entropy value of the jth indicator, yθij is the standardized value, k > 0 and k = 1/ln(nr).

Step 5 Calculate the coefficient of differentiation. The formula is: dj=1-ej.

Step 6 Calculate weights. The formula is: wj=dj∑j=1mdj.

Step 7 Calculate the comprehensive score. The formula is: Hθi=WjXθij′.

The coupling coordination model

Referring to relevant studies79, the specific formula for calculating the coupling coordination degree in the main Tibetan sheep-producing areas of Qinghai Province is as follows:

Comprehensive coordination index T=αU1+βU2+γU3+δU4+εU5.

Coupling degree C=[U1×U2×U3×U4×U5∏i≠j(Ui+Uj)]1/5(i, j = 1,2,3,4,5).

Coupling coordination D=C×T.

Where U1,U2, U3, U4, U5 represent the comprehensive level indices of product quality, production efficiency, economic benefits, environmental friendliness, and environmental conditions, respectively, and α, β, γ, δ, ε represent their corresponding contribution coefficients. Referring to previous research, the coupling coordination is divided into ten levels using a uniform distribution method, as shown in Table 2.Table 2 Classification of coupling coordination levels.

Coupling coordination value	Description	Coupling coordination value	Description	
0.0–0.1	Extreme imbalance	0.5–0.6	Barely coordinated	
0.1–0.2	Severe imbalance	0.6–0.7	Basic coordination	
0.2–0.3	Moderate imbalance	0.7–0.8	Intermediate coordination	
0.3–0.4	Mild imbalance	0.8–0.9	Good coordination	
0.4–0.5	On the verge of imbalance	0.9–1.0	Excellent coordination	

Results

Index weight

Table 3 shows the weights of indicators calculated by entropy weighting. Among them, the weight of the number of trees planted (A51) is 0.1513, ranking first among the 17 indicators. The second is output value/GDP (A35), with a weight of 0.1099; In third place is the level of profit (A33), which weights 0.0923; The fourth and fifth indexes were output value/primary industry output value (A34) and scale of farming/labor input (A25), with weights of 0.0812 and 0.0726 respectively. The pollution level of lambs (A42) and ewes (A41) ranked 16th and 17th with weights of 0.0165 and 0.0164, respectively. This indicates that ecological protection, economic development benefits, and breeding production efficiency have gradually become essential factors affecting the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry from 2015 to 2020.Table 3 Results of entropy value method for assessing the degree of high-quality development in Qinghai’s Tibetan sheep industry.

Secondary indicators	Tertiary indicators	Weight	Weight ranking	
A1	A11	0.02679	13	
A2	A21	0.01731	15	
A22	0.03205	12	
A23	0.03258	11	
A24	0.05039	10	
A25	0.07263	5	
A26	0.06854	9	
A3	A31	0.06949	8	
A32	0.06997	6	
A33	0.09234	3	
A34	0.08121	4	
A35	0.10989	2	
A4	A41	0.01638	17	
A42	0.01649	16	
A43	0.06972	7	
A5	A51	0.15134	1	
A52	0.02288	14	

High-quality level of development

As shown in Fig. 2, the entropy method calculated the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in four prefectures of Qinghai Province. From 2015 to 2020, the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture, and Huangnan Prefecture showed an increasing trend, among which Haibei Prefecture increased from 0.2784 to 0.6993, with a growth rate of 151.19%. Hainan Prefecture increased from 0.2269 to 0.6706, with a growth rate of 140.88%. Haixi Prefecture increased from 0.1372 to 0.3768, with a growth rate of 174.64%; Huangnan Prefecture increased from 0.1555 to 0.4170, with a growth rate of 168.17%. The initial level of high-quality development of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture was relatively high. However, the development speed was slightly slower than in Haixi Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture.Fig. 2 Trend of evaluation scores for the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in the four prefectures of Qinghai Province from 2015 to 2020.

Coupling coordination degree

As shown in Fig. 3 and Table 4, the coupling coordination degree of Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture of Qinghai Province showed an overall upward trend from 2015 to 2020. Among them, the coupling coordination degree in Haibei Prefecture increased from 0.5391 to 0.6552, an increase of 20.98%. Hainan Prefecture increased from 0.4808 to 0.5726, an increase of 19.09%; Haixi Prefecture increased from 0.3034 to 0.6399, an increase of 110.91%; Huangnan Prefecture increased from 0.2516 to 0.6315, an increase of 150.99%. From the initial level, the coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture was between 0.5 and 0.6, which was barely coordinated. The coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Hainan Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture were all below 0.5, which were on the verge of imbalance, mild imbalance and moderate imbalance, respectively. It shows that the Tibetan sheep industry's initial coupling and coordination level in the four prefectures of Qinghai Province is not high, and the development has a certain degree of imbalance. In terms of development trends, the development trends of Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture were the same, different from those of Haixi Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture. In 2020, Haibei Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture and Huangnan Prefecture were in essential coordination, barely coordinated, basic coordination, and basic coordination, respectively, and the fastest rising rate is Huangnan Prefecture, followed by Haixi Prefecture. The coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture decreased slightly in 2019 and 2020.Fig. 3 Trends in coupling coordination degree of Tibetan sheep industry in four prefectures of Qinghai Province from 2015 to 2020.

Table 4 Temporal evolution of coupling coordination degree of Tibetan sheep industry in four prefectures of Qinghai Province.

Year	Haibei prefecture	Hainan prefecture	Haixi prefecture	Huangnan prefecture	
2015	Barely coordinated	On the verge of imbalance	Mild imbalance	Moderate imbalance	
2016	Basic coordination	On the verge of imbalance	Mild imbalance	Mild imbalance	
2017	Basic coordination	Barely coordinated	Mild imbalance	On the verge of imbalance	
2018	Intermediate coordination	Basic coordination	Barely coordinated	Barely coordinated	
2019	Basic coordination	Basic coordination	Barely coordinated	Barely coordinated	
2020	Basic coordination	Barely coordinated	Basic coordination	Basic coordination	

Discussion

What are the reasons for promoting the high-quality development of animal husbandry in Qinghai province?

The index weight results show that ecological and environmental protection, economic development benefits and breeding production efficiency are the core elements of the high-quality development of animal husbandry in Qinghai Province. First, Qinghai Province is the birthplace of the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Mekong River (Lancang River in China), and its ecological status is critical. Under the strategy of emphasizing ecological protection, the environmental awareness and environmental protection behaviour of farmers and herders in Qinghai Province have been comprehensively improved. Therefore, ecological environmental protection is essential to promote the high-quality development of the Tibetan sheep industry from 2015 to 2020. Secondly, the benefits of economic development are the core concern of herders. Under the cooperation of the government, universities, cooperatives, and other organizations, Tibetan sheep sales have gradually developed from within to outside the province, vital in raising herders' income and regional economic development. Then, with the input of technology and the guidance of experts, the individual production efficiency of Tibetan sheep and the breeding efficiency of herders have been greatly improved, which has become the internal driving force for the high-quality development of Tibetan sheep. In addition, the pollutant discharge level is a negative indicator. However, according to the calculated weight results, it ranks last among the 17 indicators, mainly because Tibetan sheep are raised in a combination of free range and captive breeding. The excrement of Tibetan sheep during grazing can be used as natural fertilizer in grassland without pollution80. The waste produced by centralized confinement can also be turned into organic fertilizer through composting, and the waste can be harmless and resource treatment when used in the planting industry.

Given the shortcomings of the development of the Tibetan sheep industry, such as the production efficiency of Tibetan sheep is not high enough, the lack of animal husbandry and veterinary stations, and the limitation of sales and processing, it is necessary to improve further and work together with other industries to raise Tibetan sheep more effectively and provide support for the development of Tibetan sheep industry.

Why are there apparent differences in the level of high-quality development among prefectures?

The initial level of high-quality development of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture is ahead of the other three prefectures. Haibei Prefecture has always regarded the Tibetan sheep industry as one of the leading industries, actively introduced advanced breeding technology and vigorously supported the regional brand building of Tibetan sheep. From the data, the survival rate of ewe breeding and lamb fattening under efficient breeding in Haibei Prefecture was significantly higher than that in the other three regions, and the loss and death rate of ewe was also lower. In terms of Tibetan sheep policy support, the government has formulated the "Haibei Tibetan Sheep Industry Development Plan" and "Qilian Tibetan Sheep Characteristic Agricultural Products Advantage Zone Creation Plan", launched the "Haibei Plateau Tibetan Sheep Protection Regulations", and built advanced breeding and breeding bases. The great turning point in the development level in 2019–2020 is due to the rapid expansion of the scale of Tibetan sheep farming in Haibei Prefecture.

The initial level of high-quality development of the Tibetan sheep industry in Hainan Prefecture was second only to that in Haibei Prefecture. As a significant ecological animal husbandry prefecture in Qinghai Province, Hainan Prefecture has rich agricultural and animal husbandry resources, leading regional advantages and agricultural and animal husbandry development systems. However, the promotion of Tibetan sheep breeding technology and the regional brand building was insufficient, and there was still a particular gap between Tibetan sheep breeding and Haibei Prefecture regarding ewes loss death rate and labour input. Increasing technical support and improving labour productivity may be the focus of the subsequent development of the Tibetan sheep industry in Hainan Prefecture.

The high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in Huangnan Prefecture is slightly higher than that of Haixi Prefecture but lower than that of Haibei and Hainan. This may be caused by the lack of grassland in Huangnan Prefecture. According to data from the third national land survey in Qinghai Province, the grassland area in Huangnanzhou is only 12,300 km2, which is far lower than the other three perfections. Therefore, under the requirement of maintaining the balance between grass and livestock, although the production efficiency of individual livestock in Huangnan Prefecture is relatively high, the scale expansion of Tibetan sheep is limited, and the development resistance is relatively large.

The high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haixi Prefecture ranks fourth among the four prefectures. Compared with Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture, Haixi Prefecture had a wider area. However, its grassland conditions and geographical environment were harsh, and the individual production efficiency and labour productivity of livestock were insufficient. From the perspective of development trend, the advanced breeding technology is conducive to Haixi Prefecture to overcome the influence caused by natural conditions, so the high-quality development level of Haixi Prefecture Tibetan sheep industry is also steadily improving.

In other words, the differences in geographical environment, technology introduction and brand building are the main reasons for the differences in the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture, Hainan Prefecture, Huangnan Prefecture and Haixi Prefecture. The disadvantages of high altitude and poor climatic conditions can be made up by introducing technology and strengthening brand building. To be specific, the problems faced by development can be alleviated to a certain extent through improved seed breeding, grass planting and feed research and development technology, and then according to the advantages of the current environment, such as green and pollution-free, to build green organic animal products brand, to achieve economic benefits.

Under the overall upward trend, why did the coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei prefecture and Hainan prefecture decline?

The overall improvement of the coupling coordination degree of high-quality development in the main producing areas of Tibetan sheep in Qinghai Province is due to the construction of Tibetan sheep industrial park, Tibetan sheep standardized breeding base, Tibetan sheep standardized ecological pasture, the increasingly sound forage supply system, and the significant enhancement of Tibetan sheep brand effect in Qinghai Province. First of all, in terms of the construction of industrial parks and breeding bases, by the end of 2020, Qinghai Province has cultivated and built 18 breeding sheep farms, mainly for Tibetan sheep of plateau type and Ola sheep, ensuring the reliability of Tibetan sheep breeds from the front end of breeding. From 2010 to 2020, 9,500,000 Tibetan ewes have been promoted. Secondly, in terms of the feed supply system, through the joint efforts of enterprises, universities, cooperatives and other parties, the research and development of Tibetan sheep series concentrate supplement formula was carried out, and a total of 6 ewes series feed formulas were screened out. At the same time, in terms of forage security, 160,700 hectares of artificial grassland were planted, and 82,000 tons of overwinter reserve forage were transported, guaranteeing the high-quality development of Tibetan sheep. In addition, the local government supports the regional brand construction and promotion of "Chaka sheep", "Qilian lamb", and "Ola sheep", promotes the sale of Tibetan sheep all over the world, and enhances the visibility and influence of Tibetan sheep. The above measures involve the whole industrial chain of Tibetan sheep development, covering all subsystems, and therefore effectively promote the coupling and coordinated development of the Tibetan sheep industry in Qinghai Province.

However, the coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture declined amid the rising trend, which may be attributed to the rapid expansion of the Tibetan sheep farming scale in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture in 2019 and 2020, which led to a decrease in the coordination between the development scale and other conditions. Data show that from 2018 to 2020, the size of Tibetan ewes in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture increased from 921,000 to 2,520,000, an increase of 173.6%. However, manure treatment and feeding conditions are lagging, increasing the pressure on the ecological environment. At the same time, the rapid expansion of its production capacity has also impacted market prices, resulting in a decline in per capita income and input–output ratios, further leading to imbalances among subsystems.

Through the research results, it is found that blindly expanding the breeding scale is not conducive to the sustainable development of Tibetan sheep industry. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out aquaculture in a limited way according to regional conditions, do a good job in market research and promotion, and avoid blind expansion of aquaculture scale leading to damage to ecological and economic benefits.

Conclusions

This study constructs an evaluation index system for the high-quality development level of animal husbandry, quantifies the performance evaluation of the high-quality development of the Tibetan sheep industry, discusses and analyzes, and draws the following conclusions. First, the improvement of the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in the four prefectures is mainly due to the strengthening of the ecological protection level, the improvement of economic development benefits and breeding production efficiency. To promote the further development of the Tibetan sheep industry, prefectures should make up for the relevant weaknesses in the industry and develop together with other sectors. Secondly, the differences in geographical environment, technology introduction, and brand building are the main reasons for the difference in the high-quality development level of the Tibetan sheep industry in the four prefectures. Therefore, relevant regions can mitigate the adverse effects of the geographical environment by strengthening technology introduction and brand building. Finally, in 2019 and 2020, the coupling coordination degree of the Tibetan sheep industry in Haibei Prefecture and Hainan Prefecture showed a small decline, due to the rapid expansion of Tibetan sheep in the two prefectures, which led to a certain degree of development imbalance. Therefore, prefectures should pay attention to coordination in the development process to avoid blind expansion of the breeding scale.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Professor Hou Shengzhen and his team for their valuable feedback and support throughout the process of writing this article. In addition, I am very grateful for the financial support of Qinghai Provincial Science and Technology Department. Without their contribution, this study would not have been possible.

Author contributions

C.J. designed the research plan, collected the research data, and built the framework of the paper. L.G. sorted out the relevant data, analyzed the data, discussed the results and wrote the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

Project of Science and Technology Department of Qinghai Province: Construction of Standardized Production System for Improving Quality and Efficiency of Tibetan sheep Industry (2022-NK-169), Research on Regional Brand Building of Tibetan Sheep in Qinghai Province Based on Industrial value Chain (2022-NK-169-5).

Data availability

The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to the confidentiality requested by the funder but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
==== Refs
References

1. Henchion M Moloney AP Hyland J Zimmermann J McCarthy S Review: Trends for meat, milk and egg consumption for the next decades and the role played by livestock systems in the global production of proteins Anim.: Int. J. Anim. Biosci. 2021 15 Suppl 1 100287 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100287
Henchion, M., Moloney, A. P., Hyland, J., Zimmermann, J. & McCarthy, S. Review: Trends for meat, milk and egg consumption for the next decades and the role played by livestock systems in the global production of proteins. Anim.: Int. J. Anim. Biosci. 15(Suppl 1), 100287 (2021).10.1016/j.animal.2021.100287
2. Wawrzyniak D Review: Animal husbandry and sustainable agriculture: Is animal welfare (only) an issue of sustainability of agricultural production or a separate issue on its own? Anim.: Int. J. Anim. Biosci. 2023 17 Suppl 4 100880 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100880
Wawrzyniak, D. Review: Animal husbandry and sustainable agriculture: Is animal welfare (only) an issue of sustainability of agricultural production or a separate issue on its own?. Anim.: Int. J. Anim. Biosci. 17(Suppl 4), 100880 (2023).10.1016/j.animal.2023.100880
3. Dimelu MU Salifu E Igbokwe EM Resource use conflict in agrarian communities, management and challenges: A case of farmer-herdsmen conflict in Kogi state, Nigeria J Rural Stud 2016 46 147 154 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.06.011
Dimelu, M. U., Salifu, E. & Igbokwe, E. M. Resource use conflict in agrarian communities, management and challenges: A case of farmer-herdsmen conflict in Kogi state, Nigeria. J Rural Stud 46, 147–154 (2016).10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.06.011
4. Cheng L Yang L Li X Xu S Cao Y Research on the evaluation and configuration path of China's rural common prosperity-NCA and fsQCA based on provincial panel data Heliyon 2023 10 1 e23888 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23888 38205325
Cheng, L., Yang, L., Li, X., Xu, S. & Cao, Y. Research on the evaluation and configuration path of China’s rural common prosperity-NCA and fsQCA based on provincial panel data. Heliyon 10(1), e23888 (2023).38205325 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23888
5. Hauck M Artykbaeva GT Zozulya TN Dulamsuren C Pastoral livestock husbandry and rural livelihoods in the forest-steppe of east Kazakhstan J. Arid Environ. 2016 133 102 111 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.05.009
Hauck, M., Artykbaeva, G. T., Zozulya, T. N. & Dulamsuren, C. Pastoral livestock husbandry and rural livelihoods in the forest-steppe of east Kazakhstan. J. Arid Environ. 133, 102–111 (2016).10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.05.009
6. Ding Y Xu R Wang R Zhang S Ding H Liu W Can grain production be synergistic with socioeconomic development?—Empirical evidence from the agro-pastoral ecotone in North China Ecol Indic 2023 10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111191
Ding, Y. et al. Can grain production be synergistic with socioeconomic development?—Empirical evidence from the agro-pastoral ecotone in North China. Ecol Indic10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111191 (2023).10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111191
7. Fangzhou Hu Zhong H Chang W Wang S Guo Z Tao M Zhang C Gong D Gao X Tang C Wei Z Wen M Liu S Development of fisheries in China Reprod. Breed. 2021 1 1 64 79 10.1016/j.repbre.2021.03.003
Fangzhou, Hu. et al. Development of fisheries in China. Reprod. Breed. 1(1), 64–79. 10.1016/j.repbre.2021.03.003 (2021).10.1016/j.repbre.2021.03.003
8. Lu Y Ma L Ma W Shao L Strategies to mitigate the environmental footprints of meat, egg and milk production in northern China J. Clean. Prod. 2024 443 141027 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141027
Lu, Y., Ma, L., Ma, W. & Shao, L. Strategies to mitigate the environmental footprints of meat, egg and milk production in northern China. J. Clean. Prod. 443, 141027 (2024).10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141027
9. Harchaoui S Blazy V Pechenart E Wilfart A Challenges and opportunities for improving circularity in the poultry meat and egg sector: The case of France Resour., Conserv. Recycl 2023 193 106963 10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.106963
Harchaoui, S., Blazy, V., Pechenart, E. & Wilfart, A. Challenges and opportunities for improving circularity in the poultry meat and egg sector: The case of France. Resour., Conserv. Recycl 193, 106963 (2023).10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.106963
10. Kimman TG Hoek M de Jong MC Assessing and controlling health risks from animal husbandry NJAS: Wageningen J. Life Sci. 2013 66 7 14
Kimman, T. G., Hoek, M. & de Jong, M. C. Assessing and controlling health risks from animal husbandry. NJAS: Wageningen J. Life Sci. 66, 7–14 (2013).
11. Zhou K Zhou F Chen L Li H Wang H Li J Alleviating environmental pressure from livestock production: A “livestock-resource environmental carrying capacity” perspective in China Ecol Indic 2024 160 111800 10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111800
Zhou, K. et al. Alleviating environmental pressure from livestock production: A “livestock-resource environmental carrying capacity” perspective in China. Ecol Indic 160, 111800 (2024).10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111800
12. Miyumo S Wasike CB Ilatsia ED Bennewitz J Chagunda MG Evaluation of selection strategies in dual-purpose and specialized breeding of indigenous chicken Poult. Sci. 2024 103 8 103916 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103916 38908120
Miyumo, S., Wasike, C. B., Ilatsia, E. D., Bennewitz, J. & Chagunda, M. G. Evaluation of selection strategies in dual-purpose and specialized breeding of indigenous chicken. Poult. Sci. 103(8), 103916 (2024).38908120 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103916
13. Bidoglio GA Schwarzmueller F Kastner T A global multi-indicator assessment of the environmental impact of livestock products Glob. Environ. Change 2024 87 102853 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102853
Bidoglio, G. A., Schwarzmueller, F. & Kastner, T. A global multi-indicator assessment of the environmental impact of livestock products. Glob. Environ. Change 87, 102853 (2024).10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102853
14. Engel L Vilhelmsen K Richter I Moritz J Ryynanen T Young J Burton R Kidmose U Klockner C Psychological factors influencing consumer intentions to consume cultured meat, fish and dairy Appetite 2024 200 107501 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107501 38763298
Engel, L. et al. Psychological factors influencing consumer intentions to consume cultured meat, fish and dairy. Appetite 200, 107501 (2024).38763298 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107501
15. Opinions of The General Office of the State Council on Promoting High-quality Development of Animal Husbandry. Bulletin of The State Council of the People's Republic of China, (29): 20–24 (2020).
16. Da Silva BD Conte-Junior CA Perspectives on cultured meat in countries with economies dependent on animal production: a review of potential challenges and opportunities Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2024 10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104551
Da Silva, B. D. & Conte-Junior, C. A. Perspectives on cultured meat in countries with economies dependent on animal production: a review of potential challenges and opportunities. Trends Food Sci. Technol.10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104551 (2024).10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104551
17. Pozo RA Cusack JJ Acebes P Malo JE Traba J Iranzo EC Morris-Trainor Z Minderman J Bunnefeld N Radic-Schilling S Moraga CA Arriagada RA Corti P Reconciling livestock production and wild herbivore conservation: challenges and opportunities Trends in Ecol. Evolut. 2021 36 750 761 10.1016/j.tree.2021.05.002
Pozo, R. A. et al. Reconciling livestock production and wild herbivore conservation: challenges and opportunities. Trends in Ecol. Evolut. 36, 750–761 (2021).10.1016/j.tree.2021.05.002
18. Gregori T Protectionism and international trade: A long-run view Int. Econ. 2021 165 1 13 10.1016/j.inteco.2020.11.001
Gregori, T. Protectionism and international trade: A long-run view. Int. Econ. 165, 1–13 (2021).10.1016/j.inteco.2020.11.001
19. Dirks MW Schmidt T Political instability and economic growth: Causation and transmission Eur. J. Political Econ. 2024 85 102586 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2024.102586
Dirks, M. W. & Schmidt, T. Political instability and economic growth: Causation and transmission. Eur. J. Political Econ. 85, 102586 (2024).10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2024.102586
20. Martyniuk E Policy effects on the sustainability of animal breeding Sustainability 2021 10.3390/su13147787
Martyniuk, E. Policy effects on the sustainability of animal breeding. Sustainability10.3390/su13147787 (2021).10.3390/su13147787
21. Yang S Cui X Large-scale production: A possible way to the balance between feed grain security and meat security in China J. Agric. Food Res. 2023 10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100745
Yang, S. & Cui, X. Large-scale production: A possible way to the balance between feed grain security and meat security in China. J. Agric. Food Res.10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100745 (2023).10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100745
22. Liang X Jin X Xu X Chen H Liu J Yang X Xu W Sun R Han B Zhou Y Uncertainty in China's food self-sufficiency: A dynamic system assessment Sustain. Prod. Consum. 2023 10.1016/j.spc.2023.06.009
Liang, X. et al. Uncertainty in China’s food self-sufficiency: A dynamic system assessment. Sustain. Prod. Consum.10.1016/j.spc.2023.06.009 (2023).10.1016/j.spc.2023.06.009
23. Clapp J Food self-sufficiency: Making sense of it, and when it makes sense Food Policy 2017 66 88 96 10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.12.001
Clapp, J. Food self-sufficiency: Making sense of it, and when it makes sense. Food Policy 66, 88–96 (2017).10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.12.001
24. Grzelak A Guth M Matuszczak A Approaching the environmental sustainable value in agriculture: How factor endowments foster the eco-efficiency J. Clean. Prod. 2019 241 118304 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118304
Grzelak, A., Guth, M. & Matuszczak, A. Approaching the environmental sustainable value in agriculture: How factor endowments foster the eco-efficiency. J. Clean. Prod. 241, 118304 (2019).10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118304
25. Stoilov T Stoilova K Dimitrov S Planning resource allocation for husbandry management by portfolio optimization Heliyon 2022 8 e10841 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10841 36247134
Stoilov, T., Stoilova, K. & Dimitrov, S. Planning resource allocation for husbandry management by portfolio optimization. Heliyon 8, e10841 (2022).36247134 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10841
26. Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and The State Council on Learning and Applying the experience of the "Thousand Villages Demonstration and Ten thousand Villages Renovation" Project to Effectively Promote the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas. People's Daily, (2024).
27. Guo J Wei Z Xie X Ren J Zhou H Dynamic change and driving force of natural capital in Qinghai Province based on the three-dimensional ecological footprint, China Ecol. Indic. 2022 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109673
Guo, J., Wei, Z., Xie, X., Ren, J. & Zhou, H. Dynamic change and driving force of natural capital in Qinghai Province based on the three-dimensional ecological footprint, China. Ecol. Indic.10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109673 (2022).10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109673
28. Implementation Opinions of the General Office of Qinghai Provincial People's Government on Promoting High-quality Development of Plateau Characteristic Animal Husbandry. Bulletin of Qinghai Provincial People's Government (Chinese version), (06): 15–23(2021).
29. Qian Q Wang J Zhang X Wang S Li Y Wang Q Watson AE Zhao X Improving herders’income through alpine grassland husbandry on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Land Use Policy 2022 113 105896 10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105896
Qian, Q. et al. Improving herders’income through alpine grassland husbandry on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Land Use Policy 113, 105896 (2022).10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105896
30. Chen H Ding R Shao L Cognitive antecedents and formation pathways of confined feeding mode adoption by herders in China J. Rural Stud. 2022 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.07.005
Chen, H., Ding, R. & Shao, L. Cognitive antecedents and formation pathways of confined feeding mode adoption by herders in China. J. Rural Stud.10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.07.005 (2022).10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.07.005
31. Huang W Bruemmer B Huntsinger L Technical efficiency and the impact of grassland use right leasing on livestock grazing on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Land Use Policy 2017 64 342 352 10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.03.009
Huang, W., Bruemmer, B. & Huntsinger, L. Technical efficiency and the impact of grassland use right leasing on livestock grazing on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Land Use Policy 64, 342–352 (2017).10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.03.009
32. Ding R Shao L Chen H Curbing overstocking on rangeland through subsidies, rewards, and herders’ social capital: Lessons from Qinghai province, China J. Rural Stud. 2021 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.09.028
Ding, R., Shao, L. & Chen, H. Curbing overstocking on rangeland through subsidies, rewards, and herders’ social capital: Lessons from Qinghai province, China. J. Rural Stud.10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.09.028 (2021).10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.09.028
33. Yang M Liang S Wu X Zhong Q Dong S Wang Y Yang Z Mitigating forage-livestock conflicts in China through economic structure transition Cell Rep Sustain 2024 10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100033
Yang, M. et al. Mitigating forage-livestock conflicts in China through economic structure transition. Cell Rep Sustain10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100033 (2024).10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100033
34. Wu J Zhou D Peng C Jiang G Pastoral household natural resource dependence and contributions of grassland to livelihoods: A case study from the Tibetan Plateau in China J. Clean. Prod. 2023 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136751 36942056
Wu, J., Zhou, D., Peng, C. & Jiang, G. Pastoral household natural resource dependence and contributions of grassland to livelihoods: A case study from the Tibetan Plateau in China. J. Clean. Prod.10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136751 (2023).36942056 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136751
35. Yan L Kong L Wang L Zhang L Hu J Ouyang Z Grass-livestock balance under the joint influences of climate change, human activities and ecological protection on Tibetan Plateau Ecol. Indic. 2024 10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112040
Yan, L. et al. Grass-livestock balance under the joint influences of climate change, human activities and ecological protection on Tibetan Plateau. Ecol. Indic.10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112040 (2024).10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112040
36. Han Z Han C Yang C Spatial econometric analysis of environmental total factor productivity of ranimal husbandry and its influencing factors in China during 2001–2017 Sci. Total Environ. 2020 723 137726 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137726 32213419
Han, Z., Han, C. & Yang, C. Spatial econometric analysis of environmental total factor productivity of ranimal husbandry and its influencing factors in China during 2001–2017. Sci. Total Environ. 723, 137726 (2020).32213419 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137726
37. Lindena T Hess S Is animal welfare better on smaller dairy farms? Evidence from 3,085 dairy farms in Germany J. Diary Sci. 2022 105 11 8924 8945 10.3168/jds.2022-21906
Lindena, T. & Hess, S. Is animal welfare better on smaller dairy farms? Evidence from 3,085 dairy farms in Germany. J. Diary Sci. 105(11), 8924–8945 (2022).10.3168/jds.2022-21906
38. Martins de Camargo M Caetano AR de Miranda F Santos IK Evolutionary pressures rendered by animal husbandry practices for avian influenza viruses to adapt to humans iScience 2022 25 104005 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104005 35313691
Martins de Camargo, M., Caetano, A. R., de Miranda, F. & Santos, I. K. Evolutionary pressures rendered by animal husbandry practices for avian influenza viruses to adapt to humans. iScience 25, 104005 (2022).35313691 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104005
39. Dorji NP Yamazaki S Thinley P Productivity improvement to sustain small-scale fish production in developing countries: The case of Bhutan Aquaculture 2021 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737612
Dorji, N. P., Yamazaki, S. & Thinley, P. Productivity improvement to sustain small-scale fish production in developing countries: The case of Bhutan. Aquaculture10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737612 (2021).10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737612
40. Gang L Qian-Feng L Li-Xiang Z 40th anniversary of animal husbandry reform and opening up: Achievements, challenges and countermeasures China Rural Econ. 2018 12 19 36
Gang, L., Qian-Feng, L. & Li-Xiang, Z. 40th anniversary of animal husbandry reform and opening up: Achievements, challenges and countermeasures. China Rural Econ. 12, 19–36 (2018).
41. Zhanguo Z Shuling Z Lin Z Evaluation of sustainable development level of China's live pig industry under the new pattern of high-quality development Issues Agric. Econ. 2023 04 105 122
Zhanguo, Z. et al. Evaluation of sustainable development level of China’s live pig industry under the new pattern of high-quality development. Issues Agric. Econ. 04, 105–122 (2023).
42. MacPhillamy I Nunn M Barnes TS Bush RD Toribio J Striving for long term sustainability - is it time we changed our approach to animal health in low- and middle-income countries? Acta Trop. 2023 244 106946 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106946 37236333
MacPhillamy, I., Nunn, M., Barnes, T. S., Bush, R. D. & Toribio, J. Striving for long term sustainability - is it time we changed our approach to animal health in low- and middle-income countries?. Acta Trop. 244, 106946 (2023).37236333 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106946
43. SongFulin LD Scientific and technological innovation drives modernization of grassland animal husbandry Sci. Manag. Res. 2019 38 02 109 116
SongFulin, L. D. Scientific and technological innovation drives modernization of grassland animal husbandry. Sci. Manag. Res. 38(02), 109–116 (2019).
44. Vaintrub MO Levit H Chincarini M Fusaro I Giammarco M Vignola G Precision livestock farming, automats and new technologies: possible applications in extensive dairy sheep farming Animal 2021 15 3 100143 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100143 33518488
Vaintrub, M. O. et al. Precision livestock farming, automats and new technologies: possible applications in extensive dairy sheep farming. Animal 15(3), 100143 (2021).33518488 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100143
45. Huan ML Wang Z High-quality development of animal husbandry in the context of "dual carbon" target: Model, revelation and suggestion – taking Zhengda layer breeding as an example J. Hunan Agric. Univ. 2022 23 05 41 47
Huan, M. L. & Wang, Z. High-quality development of animal husbandry in the context of “dual carbon” target: Model, revelation and suggestion – taking Zhengda layer breeding as an example. J. Hunan Agric. Univ. 23(05), 41–47 (2022).
46. Weisheng C Long G Ruilin H On sustainable development of Animal husbandry in China Bull. Chin. Acade. Sci. 2019 34 02 135 144
Weisheng, C. et al. On sustainable development of Animal husbandry in China. Bull. Chin. Acade. Sci. 34(02), 135–144 (2019).
47. Wang ML Li PC Ma XP Effect of scale selection on high-quality development of animal husbandry and its path optimization: Based on the perspective of scale of pig breeding China Rural Econ. 2022 447 12 35
Wang, M. L., Li, P. C. & Ma, X. P. Effect of scale selection on high-quality development of animal husbandry and its path optimization: Based on the perspective of scale of pig breeding. China Rural Econ. 447, 12–35 (2022).
48. Wenming Y Research on the status quo, Challenges and Countermeasures of high-quality development of animal husbandry in Inner Mongolia Inner Mong. Soc. Sci. 2002 43 02 205 213
Wenming, Y. Research on the status quo, Challenges and Countermeasures of high-quality development of animal husbandry in Inner Mongolia. Inner Mong. Soc. Sci. 43(02), 205–213 (2002).
49. Bech-Larsen T Grunert KG Tsalis GA Effects of the qualification of animal welfare claims in market communication on consumer purchase intentions with and without time constraints: A dual processing perspective Food Policy 2024 10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102670
Bech-Larsen, T., Grunert, K. G. & Tsalis, G. A. Effects of the qualification of animal welfare claims in market communication on consumer purchase intentions with and without time constraints: A dual processing perspective. Food Policy10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102670 (2024).10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102670
50. Henson S Traill W Measuring perceived performance of the food system and consumer food-related welfare J. Agric. Econ. 2000 51 3 388 404 10.1111/j.1477-9552.2000.tb01238.x
Henson, S. & Traill, W. Measuring perceived performance of the food system and consumer food-related welfare. J. Agric. Econ. 51(3), 388–404 (2000).10.1111/j.1477-9552.2000.tb01238.x
51. Xue-Zhen X Chun Y Xiao-ping MA Development status of China's animal husbandry and high-quality development strategy selection China Agric. Sci. Technol. Rev. 2022 24 03 1 10
Xue-Zhen, X., Chun, Y. & Xiao-ping, M. A. Development status of China’s animal husbandry and high-quality development strategy selection. China Agric. Sci. Technol. Rev. 24(03), 1–10 (2022).
52. Elzen B Bos B The RIO approach: Design and anchoring of sustainable animal husbandry systems Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 2019 145 141 152
Elzen, B. & Bos, B. The RIO approach: Design and anchoring of sustainable animal husbandry systems. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change 145(141), 152 (2019).
53. Lishang Z Qianfeng L Theoretical explanation, realistic dilemma and path analysis of high-quality development of China's pig breeding industry: Based on the perspective of industrial ecosystem Chin. Rural Econ. 2023 03 66 80
Lishang, Z. & Qianfeng, L. Theoretical explanation, realistic dilemma and path analysis of high-quality development of China’s pig breeding industry: Based on the perspective of industrial ecosystem. Chin. Rural Econ. 03, 66–80 (2023).
54. Wana SW Review on current status of Bonga, Afar, Menz, and Horro sheep breeds genetic improvement: Breeding program and progress Heliyon 2024 10 e29095 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29095 38655336
Wana, S. W. Review on current status of Bonga, Afar, Menz, and Horro sheep breeds genetic improvement: Breeding program and progress. Heliyon 10, e29095 (2024).38655336 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29095
55. Li J Pan L Main contradictions and solutions of high-quality development of animal husbandry in the context of rural revitalization Econ. Rev. 2022 08 58 64
Li, J. & Pan, L. Main contradictions and solutions of high-quality development of animal husbandry in the context of rural revitalization. Econ. Rev. 08, 58–64 (2022).
56. Wu JY Tu Y Main problems in supply side of agriculture and animal husbandry in Inner Mongolia and suggestions for high-quality development Inner Mong. Soc. Sci. 2019 43 05 198 203
Wu, J. Y. & Tu, Y. Main problems in supply side of agriculture and animal husbandry in Inner Mongolia and suggestions for high-quality development. Inner Mong. Soc. Sci. 43(05), 198–203 (2019).
57. Ludwiczak A Kasprowicz-Potocka M Zaworska-Zakrzewska A Skadanowska-Baryza J Rodriguez-Estevez V Sanz-Fernandez S Diaz-Gaona C Ferrari P Pedersen LJ Couto MY Revilla I Sell-Kubiak E Husbandry practices associated with extensification in European pig production and their effects on pork quality Meat Sci. 2023 206 109339 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109339 37716226
Ludwiczak, A. et al. Husbandry practices associated with extensification in European pig production and their effects on pork quality. Meat Sci. 206, 109339 (2023).37716226 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109339
58. Marchewka J Sztandarski P Solka M Louton H Rath K Vogt L Rauch E Ruijter D de Jong IC Linking key husbandry factors to the intrinsic quality of broiler meat Poult. Sci. 2022 102 102384 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102384 36565632
Marchewka, J. et al. Linking key husbandry factors to the intrinsic quality of broiler meat. Poult. Sci. 102, 102384 (2022).36565632 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102384
59. Zeitler-Feicht MH Hartmann E Erhard MH Baumgartner M Which affiliative behaviour can be used as a valid, reliable and feasible indicator of positive welfare in horse husbandry? Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2024 10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106236
Zeitler-Feicht, M. H., Hartmann, E., Erhard, M. H. & Baumgartner, M. Which affiliative behaviour can be used as a valid, reliable and feasible indicator of positive welfare in horse husbandry?. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106236 (2024).10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106236
60. Tedesco P Saraiva M Sandoval-Sierra JV Alves MT Galuppi R Dieguez-Uribeondo J van West P Cook A Posen PE Oidtmann BC Fioravanti ML Impact of abiotic factors and husbandry on saprolegniosis in salmonid farms Aquaculture 2022 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738679
Tedesco, P. et al. Impact of abiotic factors and husbandry on saprolegniosis in salmonid farms. Aquaculture10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738679 (2022).10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738679
61. Kuhl S Gauly S Spiller A Analysing public acceptance of four common husbandry systems for dairy cattle using a picture-based approach Livest. Sci. 2019 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.12.022
Kuhl, S., Gauly, S. & Spiller, A. Analysing public acceptance of four common husbandry systems for dairy cattle using a picture-based approach. Livest. Sci.10.1016/j.livsci.2018.12.022 (2019).10.1016/j.livsci.2018.12.022
62. Jin Y Gao L Yan C Gao P Chang S Wuchen Du Zhang Y Wang Z Hou F Decomposition and C, N and P release of Tibetan sheep dung from an alpine meadow with different stocking rates Ecol. Indic. 2022 144109 561
Jin, Y. et al. Decomposition and C, N and P release of Tibetan sheep dung from an alpine meadow with different stocking rates. Ecol. Indic. 144109, 561 (2022).
63. Feng B Liu YZ Liu WT Lv WD Sun CC Yang ZZ Li CD Zhou QY Wang FC Yang XX Dong QM Soil physicochemical properties and plant functional traits regulate ecosystem multifunctionality of alpine grassland under different livestock grazing assemblies Agric., Ecosyst. Environ. 2024 366 108947 10.1016/j.agee.2024.108947
Feng, B. et al. Soil physicochemical properties and plant functional traits regulate ecosystem multifunctionality of alpine grassland under different livestock grazing assemblies. Agric., Ecosyst. Environ. 366, 108947 (2024).10.1016/j.agee.2024.108947
64. Ding L Yan Q Liu P Yang Q Henkin Z Degen AA Livestock turnover and dynamic livestock carrying capacity are crucial factors for alpine grassland management: The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau as a case study J. Environ. Manag. 2024 365 121586 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121586
Ding, L. et al. Livestock turnover and dynamic livestock carrying capacity are crucial factors for alpine grassland management: The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau as a case study. J. Environ. Manag. 365, 121586 (2024).10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121586
65. Han Z Han C Yang C Spatial econometric analysis of environmental total factor productivity of ranimal husbandry and its influencing factors in China during 2001–2017 Sci. Total Environ. 2020 723 137726 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137726 32213419
Han, Z., Han, C. & Yang, C. Spatial econometric analysis of environmental total factor productivity of ranimal husbandry and its influencing factors in China during 2001–2017. Sci. Total Environ. 723, 137726 (2020).32213419 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137726
66. Fontes GR Gois GC Rodrigues RT da Rocha DR Silva TS Simao JF Araujo NS Turco SH Matias FB da Silva JG Ferreira BJ Menezes DR Queiroz MA Non-invasive methods to quantify the carcass parameters of sheep: Interaction between thermal environment and residual feed intake J. Therm. Biol. 2023 117 103709 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103709 37717402
Fontes, G. R. et al. Non-invasive methods to quantify the carcass parameters of sheep: Interaction between thermal environment and residual feed intake. J. Therm. Biol. 117, 103709 (2023).37717402 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103709
67. Ogola PA Ngesa F Makanji DL Influence of access to extension services on milk productivity among smallholder dairy farmers in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru county, Kenya Heliyon 2023 9 9 e20210 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20210 37809428
Ogola, P. A., Ngesa, F. & Makanji, D. L. Influence of access to extension services on milk productivity among smallholder dairy farmers in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru county, Kenya. Heliyon 9(9), e20210 (2023).37809428 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20210
68. Smith SR Rigby H The significance of lead entering the human food chain via livestock ingestion from the agricultural use of biosolids, with special reference to the UK Sci. Total Environ. 2024 928 172135 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172135 38569961
Smith, S. R. & Rigby, H. The significance of lead entering the human food chain via livestock ingestion from the agricultural use of biosolids, with special reference to the UK. Sci. Total Environ. 928, 172135 (2024).38569961 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172135
69. Yifan J Zejun HE Tao X High-quality development of animal husbandry: Level measurement, regional differences and convergence analysis China Agric Resour. Region. 2024 45 04 190 203
Yifan, J., Zejun, H. E. & Tao, X. High-quality development of animal husbandry: Level measurement, regional differences and convergence analysis. China Agric Resour. Region. 45(04), 190–203 (2024).
70. Xue-Zhen X Hui X Xiao-Ping Ma Spatial difference and dynamic evolution of high-quality development level of animal husbandry in China China Agric Resour. Region.Plan. 2022 43 12 113 125
Xue-Zhen, X. et al. Spatial difference and dynamic evolution of high-quality development level of animal husbandry in China. China Agric Resour. Region.Plan. 43(12), 113–125 (2022).
71. Deng Y Li F Lu Q Spatial disparities and internal subsystems’ coupling coordination analysis of green development in Chinese animal husbandry Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int. 2024 31 12 18916 18931 10.1007/s11356-024-32394-y 38353822
Deng, Y., Li, F. & Lu, Q. Spatial disparities and internal subsystems’ coupling coordination analysis of green development in Chinese animal husbandry. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int. 31(12), 18916–18931 (2024).38353822 10.1007/s11356-024-32394-y
72. Wang ML Li PC Ma XP Effect of scale selection on high-quality development of animal husbandry and its path optimization: Based on the perspective of scale of pig breeding China Rural Econ 2022 447 12 35
Wang, M. L., Li, P. C. & Ma, X. P. Effect of scale selection on high-quality development of animal husbandry and its path optimization: Based on the perspective of scale of pig breeding. China Rural Econ 447, 12–35 (2022).
73. Danyang Li Chuanren Qi Yanan W Calculation of production and pollution coefficient of sheep breeding in northern China Trans. Chin. Soc. Agric. Eng. 2021 37 06 220 227
Danyang, Li. et al. Calculation of production and pollution coefficient of sheep breeding in northern China. Trans. Chin. Soc. Agric. Eng. 37(06), 220–227 (2021).
74. Zenghai L Shengzhen H Zhiyou W Benefit estimation of efficient breeding technology for Tibetan sheep in Qinghai pastoral area Chin. J. Livest. Ecol. 2020 41 02 72 76+86
Zenghai, L. et al. Benefit estimation of efficient breeding technology for Tibetan sheep in Qinghai pastoral area. Chin. J. Livest. Ecol. 41(02), 72–76+86 (2020).
75. Li Y Zhichun S Evaluation of development level of new urbanization in western China based on entropy method Econ. Issues 2015 03 115 119
Li, Y. & Zhichun, S. Evaluation of development level of new urbanization in western China based on entropy method. Econ. Issues 03, 115–119 (2015).
76. Shuhui Z Yanfang S The impact of new infrastructure on the coupled and coordinated development of "innovation-ecology-economy": A test based on spatial spillover effect and transmission mechanism China Popul., Resour. Environ. 2023 33 10 187 198
Shuhui, Z. & Yanfang, S. The impact of new infrastructure on the coupled and coordinated development of “innovation-ecology-economy”: A test based on spatial spillover effect and transmission mechanism. China Popul., Resour. Environ. 33(10), 187–198 (2023).
77. Baoping R Yuxiang D Coupling synergistic relationship between economic growth, industrial development and ecological environment in the Yellow River Basin China Popul., Resour. Environ. 2021 31 02 119 129
Baoping, R. & Yuxiang, D. Coupling synergistic relationship between economic growth, industrial development and ecological environment in the Yellow River Basin. China Popul., Resour. Environ. 31(02), 119–129 (2021).
78. Hong-Gang L Jia-xi Z Chi-Bo C Evaluation of high-quality development level of Animal Husbandry in Hubei Province and its coupling coordination: from the perspective of industry chain Chin. J. Agric. Resour. Region. 2019 43 05 251 261
Hong-Gang, L. et al. Evaluation of high-quality development level of Animal Husbandry in Hubei Province and its coupling coordination: from the perspective of industry chain. Chin. J. Agric. Resour. Region. 43(05), 251–261 (2019).
79. Jiangli Z Zilian Li A study on the coordinated development of industry-population-spatial coupling in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration China Popul., Resour. Environ. 2015 25 02 75 82
Jiangli, Z. & Zilian, Li. A study on the coordinated development of industry-population-spatial coupling in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. China Popul., Resour. Environ. 25(02), 75–82 (2015).
80. Kou X Mou X Wenbing Xu Xi S Yingwen Yu Yak and Tibetan sheep dung increase the proportional biomass of grasses and alleviate soil nitrogen limitation in degraded Tibetan alpine grassland CATENA 2024 240 108007 10.1016/j.catena.2024.108007
Kou, X., Mou, X., Wenbing, Xu., Xi, S. & Yingwen, Yu. Yak and Tibetan sheep dung increase the proportional biomass of grasses and alleviate soil nitrogen limitation in degraded Tibetan alpine grassland. CATENA 240, 108007 (2024).10.1016/j.catena.2024.108007
