VETM 2501: Animal Production I Lecture Notes PDF

VETM 2501: ANIMAL PRODUCTION I LECTURE: GENERAL FARM MANAGEMENT 2 OUTLINE Learning objectives Factors affecting animal/livestock production Types of farms in the Caribbean Roles of livestock Farming systems LEARNING OBJECTIVES Discuss the six factors affecting animal/livestock p...

VETM 2501: ANIMAL PRODUCTION I LECTURE: GENERAL FARM MANAGEMENT 2 OUTLINE Learning objectives Factors affecting animal/livestock production Types of farms in the Caribbean Roles of livestock Farming systems LEARNING OBJECTIVES Discuss the six factors affecting animal/livestock production Describe “landless farmer” Understand different types of farms found in the Caribbean Discuss the multifunctionality of livestock Explain the four types of farming systems, giving examples  FACTORS AFFECTING ANIMAL/LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION 1. Breeding and reproduction 2. Feeding and nutrition 3. Housing and environment 4. Health and disease 5. Socio-economic FACTORS AFFECTING ANIMAL/LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION CONT’D Physiological phases must also be taken into account Each physiological phase creates different types of demands on the animal Maintenance Growth Pregnant  FACTORS AFFECTING ANIMAL/LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION CONT’D Animal production can be summarized based on two parameters: 1. Growth rate Increase in body weight over a specific time period (meat production) 2. Reproductive performance Number of offsprings produced over a specific time period (eggs, calves, lambs, kids) TYPES OF FARMS IN THE CARIBBEAN In the Caribbean, some farms serve as houses for some families The primary objective may not be to produce food and fibre, as these may be their secondary objectives “Landless farmers” Persons who own animals but do not have any land on which to graze them A nights, animals are housed in pens, usually located behind their houses During the day, the animals graze on any land that is available or they may cut forage (zero grazing system/cut and carry system) or purchase  TYPES OF FARMS IN THE CARIBBEAN CONT’D Arable – crop cultivation Multiple cropping – more than one crop cultivated simultaneously on the same piece of land Pastoral – animal rearing Dairy, poultry, pig, fish Mixed – crops and animals Family farms ROLES OF LIVESTOCK Income Livestock is a source of subsidiary income for many families, especially the poor Animal products can be sold, e.g. meat, milk, eggs Animals, like sheep and goat, serve as sources of income during emergencies Treatment of ill persons House repair The animals serve as moving banks and assets which provide economic security to the owners ROLES OF LIVESTOCK CONT’D Employment Agriculture can be the sole livelihood for some persons or it could provide employment during seasonal times Direct employment – farmers, herders, caretakers, veterinarians Indirect employment – feed suppliers, equipment manufacturers, transportation ROLES OF LIVESTOCK CONT’D Food Livestock products, e.g. milk, meat and eggs, are an important source of animal protein Social security Animals offer social security to the owners in terms of their status in the society Various socio-religious functions Gifting of animals during marriages is a very common in different ROLES OF LIVESTOCK CONT’D Draft Bulls can be used for ploughing, carting and transport Dung/Fertilizer/Organic Matter In rural areas dung is used for various purposes which include fuel (dung cakes), fertilizer (farm yard manure) and plastering material (poor man’s cement)  FARMING SYSTEMS 1. Intensive 2. Extensive 3. Semi-Intensive 4. Integrated FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Basic characteristics of farming systems Inputs – capital, infrastructure Profitability Stocking density Efficiency Management Husbandry Sustainability Productivity Adaptability INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS Integrated farming is a sustainable approach to farming utilizing livestock and crop production The byproduct of one system becomes the input for another Minimize costs and maximize profits INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Advantages Productivity Increased economic yield per unit area per unit time, especially for small and marginal farmers Profitability Cost of feed for livestock is about 65-75% of total cost of production Use of waste materials and their by-products Animal excreta is used as fertilizer INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Sustainability Waste materials or by-products serve as inputs for the other sub- system Balanced food All the nutrient requirements of humans are not exclusively found in a single food; to meet such requirement different food stuffs have to be consumed Such requirements can be fulfilled by adopting IFS, enabling different sources of nutrition INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Environmental safety Waste materials are effectively recycled by linking appropriate components, thus minimize environment pollution Recycling Effective recycling of products, by-products and waste materials INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Saving energy Cattle are used as a mode of transportation Cow dung is used as fuel for cooking or utilized to generate Meeting fodder crisis By-products and waste materials of crops are effectively utilized as fodder for livestock (ruminants) Products like grain and maize are used as feed for monogastric animals (pig and poultry) INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Employment generation Combining crop with livestock enterprises would increase the labour requirement and would help in reducing the problems of under employment year round Income year round Due to interaction of enterprises with crops, eggs, meat and milk, it provides a flow of money throughout the year INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Disadvantages Can be expensive to set-up Lack of knowledge and understanding Knowledge and proper understanding about the various components are key to being successful in this type of system Farmers have to be well informed Different challenges may be faced simultaneously, dealing with crops and livestock production INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Livestock based integrated farming systems Livestock-fish farming Cattle-Fish Pig-Fish Chicken-Fish Duck-Fish Livestock-crop farming ANIMAL WELFARE IN FARMING SYSTEMS Farm animal welfare includes: Physical health Mental health Overall quality of life Goal: Minimize pain and suffering Animal farming can be humane, profitable and sustainable ANIMAL WELFARE IN FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D The five freedoms ANIMAL WELFARE IN FARMING SYSTEMS CONT’D Numerous studies show that improving animal welfare improves product quality and reduces animal losses Reduced mortality Reduced damage to carcass from bruising, injuries Reduction in pale soft meat in pigs and dark, firm cuttings in beef cattle – signs of stress before death Studies also acknowledge better welfare improves productivity and reproduction