In the future scenario for livestock development, there is a continuing role for smallholder producers, particular for dairy and small ruminants, relying heavily on grass and crop-residues, however in a growth mode, intensifying production, and enhancing the efficiency of resource use (less land, labor and feed resources per unit product). In particular improving the efficiency of converting feed into milk and meat will be critical to increase their income.

Rangelands cover 30 per cent of the global land surface. They support a considerable share of the global ruminant value chains, are habitat for a high plant and animal diversity and have various ecological, economic and social functions. But rangelands are currently under pressure from global change processes. A focus on humananimal- environment interactions is necessary to avoid resource overexploitation and degradation.

El caso del Grupo Centurión hace referencia al acceso colectivo de ocho asalariados rurales y pequeños productores rurales a un campo ganadero en régimen de pastoreo en la frontera noreste de Uruguay con Brasil, a través del Instituto Nacional de Colonización (INC).

La titularidad les ha permitido la defensa de su territorio, pero no ha sido suficiente para garantizar la integridad del predio. El territorio se reduce para conformar dos comunidades campesinas, pero se logra mantener un solo predio como empresa AGAVAT, efectiva como estrategia de defensa del derecho de los campesinos sobre la tierra para desarrollar la ganadería trashumante.