Livestock production systems in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) range from traditional smallholder livestock-keeping systems to large highly productive commercial enterprises. Traditional systems are small-scale, low intensity, low-input, low-output systems, typically raising stock of local genetics and with limited market orientation. They contribute well over 90% of total numbers of producers in the LMB, and over 50% of total production. These systems dominate the higher elevation forested and more sloping ecozones and typically are associated with low-income, vulnerable households. Women, the elderly, and children are often responsible for household livestock, providing them with an important source of cash income and increased social standing.