Classwork Exercise and Series (Agricultural Science: SS1): Animal Husbandry

Definition Of Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is the management and care of farm animals by humans for profit, in which genetic qualities and behaviour are considered to be advantageous to humans and for further development.

The term can also be refer to the practice of selectively breeding and raising livestock to promote desirable traits in animals for utility, sport, pleasure, or research.

Animal husbandry is not the same as Agricultural science but its a section of Agricultural science. From the above definition, Animal husbandry is the management and care of farm animals while Agricultural science is the plantation of crops, rearing of animals for the development of economic growth.

History of breeding

Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years since the first domestication of animals. Selective breeding for desired traits was first established as a scientific practice by Robert Bakewell during the British Agricultural Revolution in the 18th century. One of his most important breeding programs was with sheep. Using native stock, he was able to quickly select for large, yet fine-boned sheep, with long, lustrous wool. The Lincoln Longwool was improved by Bakewell and in turn the Lincoln was used to develop the subsequent breed, named the New (or Dishley) Leicester. It was hornless and had a square, meaty body with straight top lines. These sheep were exported widely and have contributed to numerous modern breeds.

Breeding techniques

Techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer are frequently used today, not only as methods to guarantee that females breed regularly but also to help improve herd genetics. This may be done by transplanting embryos from high-quality females into lower-quality surrogate mothers – freeing up the higher-quality mother to be reimpregnated. This practice vastly increases the number of offspring which may be produced by a small selection of the best quality parent animals. On the one hand, this improves the ability of the animals to convert feed to meat, milk, or fiber more efficiently, and improve the quality of the final product. On the other, it decreases genetic diversity, increasing the severity of certain disease outbreaks among other risks.

Importance Of Animal Husbandry

1. Meat:It is the production of a useful form of dietary protein and energy.

2. Land management:The grazing of livestock is sometimes used as a way to control weeds and undergrowth. For example, in areas prone to wild fires, goats and sheep are set to graze on dry shrub which reduces the risk of fires.

4. Fibre:Livestock produce a range of fibre/textiles. For example, sheep and goats produce wool and deer and sheep can make leather.

5. Labour: Animals such as horses, donkey and yaks can be used for mechanical energy. Prior to steam power, livestock were the only available source of non-human labour. They are still used for this purpose in many places of the world, including ploughing fields, transporting goods and military functions.

6. Fertilizer: Manure can be spread on fields to increase crop yields. This is an important reason why historically, plant and animal domestication have been intimately linked. Manure is also used to make plaster for walls and floors and can be used as a fuel for fires. The blood and bones of animals are also used as fertilizer.

Test and Exercise

• Give two breeding technique
• List and explain the importance of Animal Husbandry

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