Lesson Note on Agricultural Science SS1 Third Term

 

 Third Term Scheme of Work for SS1 Agricultural Science

WEEK 1 FARM TOOLS

WEEK 2 FARM POWER

WEEK 3 FARM MECHANIZATION

WEEK 4&5 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FARM ANIMALS

WEEK 6&7 REPRODUCTION IN FARM ANIMALS

WEEK 8 ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY

WEEK 9&10 LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT

SS1 Third Term Agricultural Science Lesson Note 

 

 Below are the 2022 Complete SS1 Third Term Agricultural Science Lesson Note

Week 1

Topic: Farm tools and Their Uses

Farm tools are implements and equipment used for farming purposes.

See below the list of farm tools and their functions.

1. Spade – This is a basic farm tool used for digging, planting, hoeing, shovelling, and cutting lawn edges. Long-handled spades have more leverage when digging, but the short-handled spade encourages the user to grip the handle lower down – more under the load and to use the leg muscles more. The T-piece, or D-piece on the short-handle type, gives some twisting leverage – a help when turning over spadefuls of soil during digging. To learn more, Click here.

WEEK 2 

Agricultural Science. S.S.S 1. Third Term

TOPIC: Farm Power

Content

• What is Power?
• Sources of Farm Power

Introduction

Power is defined as the rate of doing work or the rate of expenditure of energy. Farm power is one of the most expensive and critical inputs when growing a rice crop. Humans, animals and machines are all used as sources of power in agriculture production. When undertaking different operations on a farm, a certain amount of work is required to complete the task.

Farm power can be obtained from the following sources

1. Human Power
2. Mechanical Power
3. Animal Power
4. Electrical Power. To learn more, Click here.

WEEK 3

Agricultural Science. S.S.S 1 Third Term

TOPIC: Farm Mechanization

Introduction

Farm mechanization refers to the development and use of machines that can take the place of human and animal power in agricultural processes. The mechanization of agriculture that took place during the 20th century led to major changes in how farmers plant, irrigate and harvest crops. Combines, tractors, harvesters and other machinery have enabled farmers to increase their production while relying less upon an extended labor force. 

The term “mechanization” is used to describe tools, implements and machinery applied to improving the productivity of farm labour and of land; it may use either human, animal or motorized power, or a combination of these. In practice, therefore, it involves the provision and use of all forms of power sources and mechanical assistance to agriculture, from simple hand tools, to draught animal power and to mechanical power technologies. To learn more, Click here.

Week 4 & 5

TOPIC: Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals/The Gut and Digestion

Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy refers to the form and structure of the body while physiology refers to the functions of the forms and parts of the body. Some of the systems which maintain the body include, circulatory system, reproductive, respiratory, nervous and digestive system.

Circulatory System

This system involves all the organs and tissues which are concurred with the movement of materials from one part of the body to another where they are either used or removed. These organs and tissues include the heart, the blood and the blood vessels. To learn more, Click here.

WEEK 6 & 7

Agricultural Science. S.S.S 1 Third Term

TOPIC: Reproduction in Farm Animals

Introduction

The reproductive system or genital system is a system of sex organs within an organism which work together for the purpose of sexual reproduction. Many non-living substances such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are also important accessories to the reproductive system.Unlike most organ systems, the sexes of differentiated species often have significant differences. These differences allow for a combination of genetic material between two individuals, which allows for the possibility of greater genetic fitness of the offspring.

Animals

In mammals, the major organs of the reproductive system include the external genitalia (penis and vulva) as well as a number of internal organs including the gamete-producing gonads (testicles and ovaries). Diseases of the human reproductive system are very common and widespread, particularly communicable sexually transmitted diseases. To learn more, Click here.

Week 8

Topic: Environmental Physiology

Definition of Environmental physiology

This can be defined as the effects of the environment on the growth and performance of farm animals. Normal growth and performance are enhanced when climatic factors like temperature, rainfall, wind, relative humidity, sunlight etc. are moderate.

Effects of Changes in Climate on Growth

1. High intensity of radiation affects food intake of farm animals.
2. High relative humidity leads to heat stress in farm animals e.g. cattle, poultry, pig, etc.
3. Extreme low temperature leads to retarded growth or even death of chicks.
4. At high temperatures also, feather coverage in chicks are poorly developed and this may lead to pecking. To learn more, Click here.

WEEK 9 & 10

Agricultural Science. S.S.S 1, Third Term

TOPIC: Livestock Management

Meaning of Livestock

Livestock are domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The enclosure of livestock in pastures and barns is a relatively new development in the history of agriculture. Livestock management is the care and raising of animals for use or for pleasure.

Importance of Livestock

1. 1. Livestock are generally raised for profit.
   2. Raising animals (animal husbandry) is a component of modern agriculture. It has been practiced in many cultures since the transition to farming from hunter-gather lifestyles
   3. The meat help with the production of a useful form of dietary protein ad energy
   4. Mammalian livestock can be used as a source of milk, which can in turn easily be processed into other dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, butter, ice cream etc.
   5. Livestock produce a range of fiber/textiles. For example, sheep and goats produce wool and mohair; cows, deer, and sheep skins can be made into leather; and bones, hooves and horns of livestock can be used.
   6. Manure can be spread on fields to increase crop yields. It serves as fertilizers for the growth of other crops is . The blood and bone of animals are also used as fertilizers
   7. 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 labor. They are still used for this purpose in many places of the world, including ploughing fields, transporting goods, and military function. To learn more, Click here.