Which species are most commonly raised for meat production?

The choice that includes cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats represents the most common species raised specifically for meat production globally. These animals are all traditional livestock that have been domesticated and bred over generations for their meat, making them well-suited for commercial meat production due to their size, growth rates, and efficient feed conversion.

Cattle are a primary source of beef, pigs are well-known for pork production, sheep are primarily raised for lamb and mutton, and goats can provide both meat and milk. Their established farming practices and infrastructures around dairy and meat production make them staples in agricultural economies worldwide.

Other options exist in the list, but they either focus on less traditional livestock or species that are not as widely raised for meat on a commercial scale. For example, while chickens, ducks, and turkeys are also significant for poultry meat production, they do not encompass the broader range of red meat sources that cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats provide. Similarly, while fish, rabbits, deer, elk, and bison have their niche markets, they do not compare in scale and economic impact to the primary livestock species highlighted in the correct choice.