SS1 Agricultural Science Third Term: Livestock Management

The 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. 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
  8. The grazing of livestock is sometimes used as a way to control weeds and undergrowth. Thereby serves as a means for land management

  Uses of Livestock

  Livestock are used by humans for a variety of purposes, many of which have an economic value. Livestock products include:

  Meat

  Livestock can be used as meat by humans. Meat is a useful form of dietary protein and energy, it is the edible tissue of the animal carcass. Example, Cattle, Goat, Pig, Poultry Birds e.t.c

  Dairy products

  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, kefir, and kumis. Using livestock for this purpose can often yield several times the food energy of slaughtering the animal outright. Example of live stock is Cow.

  Land Management

  The grazing of livestock is sometimes used as a way to control weeds and undergrowth. For example, in areas prone to wildfires, goats and sheep are set to graze on dry scrub which removes combustible material and reduces the risk of fires.

  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 bone of animals are also used as fertilizer. Livestock dung can be used as manure.

  Labor

  The muscles of animals such as horses, donkeys, and yaks can be used to provide mechanical work. Prior to steam power, livestock were the only available source of nonhuman labor. They are still used in many places of the world to plough fields (drafting), transport goods and people, in military functions, and to power treadmills for grinding grain.

  Clothing and Adornment

  Livestock produce a range of fiber textiles. For example, domestic sheep and goats produce wool and mohair, respectively; cattle, swine, deer, and sheep skins can be made into leather; livestock bones, hooves and horns can be used to fabricate jewellery, pendants, or headgear.

  Conservation

  The raising of livestock to conserve a rare breed can be achieved through gene banking and breeding programmes. 

   Feeding and Nutrition

  What animals eat has a major impact on their performance, profitability and quality of the end product. For intensive livestock (pigs, poultry and sheep and cattle in feedlots), cereals, legumes and protein meals make up the majority of the diet and are formulated to meet diet specifications. For extensive animals, quality of pastures and year-round supply become major issues.

  Read more below-

  Livestock Management