Abstract
The internal and external outputs of the agricultural sub-systems of mixed livestock-crop farms in Pabna Bangladesh were analysed, to clarify the multiple functions of cattle in farm systems. Production systems with grazing areas were relatively more productive than those with no grazing. There was a tremendous variation in farm income, largely because of land area. An increase of one ha in land area was estimated to boost farm income by about 50%. Number of cattle, cattle off-take percentage and milk off-take per average cow related positively to farm income. As land area decreased the relative importance of cattle production increased. Crops were dominant in producing food for home consumption. Cattle contributed only 5-6 per cent to home consumption. Cattle supplied a significant cash income: 45 per cent in the villages with grazing areas and 57 per cent in the other villages. In future, the cash output from cattle will decline and emphasis will shift to the role of cattle in supporting crop production. Any research or development strategy for livestock needs to focus first on the importance of the complex relation between livestock and crops.