NAICS 112 - Animal Production and Aquaculture

Industries in the Animal Production and Aquaculture subsector raise or fatten animals for the sale of animals or animal products and/or raise aquatic plants and animals in controlled or selected aquatic environments for the sale of aquatic plants, animals, or their products. The subsector includes establishments, such as ranches, farms, and feedlots, primarily engaged in keeping, grazing, breeding, or feeding animals. These animals are kept for the products they produce or for eventual sale. The animals are generally raised in various environments, from total confinement or captivity to feeding on an open range pasture.

The industries in this subsector are grouped by important factors, such as suitable grazing or pasture land, specialized buildings, type of equipment, and the amount and types of labor required. Establishments are classified in the Animal Production and Aquaculture subsector when animal production (i.e., value of animals for market) accounts for one-half or more of the establishment's total agricultural production. Establishments with one-half or more animal production with no one animal product or family of animal products of an industry accounting for one-half of the establishment's agricultural production are treated as combination animal farming classified in Industry 11299, All Other Animal Production.

• Includes farms, ranches, feedlots, and aquaculture facilities engaged in raising animals or aquatic species for commercial sale.
• Establishments classified here must have animal production accounting for at least half of total agricultural output.
• Covers a broad range of animals including cattle, poultry, swine, fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.
• Businesses vary from small family farms to large commercial operations with specialized infrastructure.
• Government contracts support food supply, research, conservation, and military operational needs.

• Breeding and raising livestock for meat, dairy, or fiber production.
• Operating feedlots and grazing livestock on pasture or range lands.
• Cultivating fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments.
• Managing animal health and welfare in production settings.
• Supplying animal products to government food and research programs.
• Implementing biosecurity and sustainable farming practices.
• Harvesting and processing aquaculture products for commercial sale.
• Conducting research and development related to animal production techniques.

• Family-owned farms specializing in livestock or aquaculture.
• Commercial ranches and feedlots with large-scale animal production.
• Aquaculture companies focused on fish and shellfish farming.
• Agricultural cooperatives providing pooled animal production services.
• Research institutions conducting animal husbandry and aquaculture studies.