LIVESTOCK FARMING
Lately, I was listening to a particular topic on food production and agricultural systems on the news and truly, Nigerians are hungry but the worst part in all of these is that our average diet composition is not balanced. Our staple foods are basically more of carbohydrates, fats, less protein, more sugar, less vegetables and fruits, etc.
I’m not talking about the pseudo-middle class living in the urban areas though. I’m talking about those in peri-urban areas and rural areas. There are many cases of malnutrition, hidden hunger, undernourishment and of course, obesity for the junk food consumers due to the lack of a ‘’readily complete diet’’.
The staple foods we consume generally supplies our diets more of carbohydrates, less protein and virtually little or no vitamins and minerals. Ending hunger and ensuring healthy foods for all has been some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the United Nations has adopted.
Livestock products such as milk, meat, eggs are very rich in proteins, vitamins, macro/micro-nutrients which can also contribute significantly to our diet. Livestock plays an important role in income generation, nutrition, gender equity, etc.
Livestock farming basically involves all husbandry practices and techniques implemented to achieve a set objective.
EXAMPLES OF LIVESTOCK
Livestock are grouped into ruminants and non-ruminants and pseudo-ruminants. Examples are poultry, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, horses, etc. Livestock farming is very profitable if you know the tricks of the game and how to manoeuvre the transaction with market dealers. There is also a growing body of information regarding husbandry operation for micro-livestock (grasscutters, snails, or generally bush meat). I will discuss this later.
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
The beauty of livestock production is that livestock animals can consume ingredients inedible to humans and convert it to food which can be consumed by humans. Sheep, cattle and goats can consume forage (grasses) and convert it to meat, milk for human consumption while poultry, pig can also consume inedible materials and convert it to meat and eggs.
Livestock farming can be carried on the following scales either intensively, semi-intensive or extensive basis.
Intensive production systems: The animals are carefully raised, fully fed. They are given all they need as well as creating a comfortable environment for the animals. This system is capital intensive and also requires lots of space.
Semi-intensive production system: here, the animals are moderately cared for. Their basic needs such as foods are made available but some other needs are neglected.
Extensive system: The animals are allowed to roam freely and care for themselves on their own. This system is not capital intensive and does not require input.
FEEDING SYSTEMS
Feeding systems in livestock also depends on the production system operated by the livestock keeper. Cattle, sheep and goats are commonly referred to ruminants because they feed basically on forage. When raised intensively, they are given concentrates and other nutritious supplements to help gain weight faster and produce quality carcass. Ruminant animals are basically kept on pasture or rangeland where they are allowed to graze and convert nutritious grasses and legumes to meat. They can be maintained in pens and allowed to graze in paddocks.
Poultry includes domestication of birds such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, quails, pigeons, pheasants, Emus, Ostrich, etc. They can be feed on formulated feed which contains maize, soyabean meal, wheat, rice, vitamins, salt, etc. Pigs can be fed on a wide variety of feedstuff because they have a wide digestive system which consumes almost anything from formulated feed down to kitchen waste.
HOUSING SYSTEMS
Intensively, livestock are kept in confined systems for effective monitoring and feeding. While, on extensive basis, they are allowed to roam freely. I believe, you have seen pigs and poultry roaming freely, and feeding. Poultry can be raised in cages, dip litter, range and aviary system. In the caged system movement is restricted, while for the other systems listed, they are also able to roam almost freely. Whatever system used, the birds must be able to access feed and water for body maintenance and growth. Pigs are also kept in pens to help conserve energy for quick growth.
When you see cows, sheep and goats roam around feeding on anything greenish and palatable you are observing an extensive system of production. Intensive systems of production require that the animals are kept in pens, and their feeds given to them while in the pens or they are allowed to graze freely for a while and then returned back to their pens.
HEALTH EVALUATION
Livestock are living entities which are subject to diseases infections and infestations. They deserve to be cared for. The basic laws of animal welfare state that;
- Animals must be free from hunger and thirst
- Animals must be free from discomfort
- Animals must be free to express normal behaviour
- Animals must be free from fear and distress.
Livestock are assets which should be cared for and protected from the vices of pathogens and other parasites or else their economic values will be depreciated. Livestock can be protected from pathogenic vices by ensuring effective vaccination against endemic diseases, activating the rules of strict biosecurity and constant monitoring of your assets (the animals) for outbreaks of diseases.
Although, Livestock also has downsides especially in business-oriented settings. The long waiting period before your asset is ready to generate to revenue for most people is not encouraging but this is how nature operates. The best we can do is to strike a balance between competing and cooperating with nature.
Regards,
Your Happy Farmer.
Joseph