Introduction to Livestock Farming – SS1 Livestock Farming Lesson Note (First Term)

Livestock farming is the breeding and raising of domesticated animals for use or profit.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define livestock farming and domesticated animals;
2. state the importance of livestock farming;
3. list the main farm animals and the products we get from each;
4. describe subsistence and commercial livestock farming;
5. state the differences between subsistence and commercial livestock farming;
6. state the common problems of livestock farming.

What is livestock farming?

Livestock farming is the act of breeding and raising domesticated animals for use or profit.

• Domesticated animals: animals tamed to live around humans, unlike wild animals in the forest.
• Breeding: mating animals so that they produce young ones.
• Raising: feeding, housing and caring for animals until they are ready for use or sale.
• Examples of livestock: cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits and fish.
• Link to agriculture: farming is not only about crops like maize or cassava, because it also includes animals.

Why is livestock farming important?

Livestock farming is important because it supplies food, income, jobs, raw materials, manure and power.

• Food supply: animals give high-quality protein through meat, milk and eggs.
• Source of income: farmers sell animals or their products, such as eggs, wool and leather, to earn money.
• Job creation: feed sellers, farm workers, veterinarians and butchers all earn a living from livestock.
• Raw materials for industry: leather belts and shoes come from hides and skins, and woollen sweaters come from wool.
• Organic manure: animal droppings are a natural fertiliser that enriches the soil without chemicals.
• Draught power: in some areas, cattle are used to pull ploughs and carts.
• Foreign exchange: some livestock products are sold to other countries, which brings in money for the nation.

What animals are raised in livestock farming?

The main farm animals in Nigeria are cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits and fish, and each gives its own products.

• Care needed: every farm animal needs good feeding, clean housing and protection from disease.

How are farm animals grouped?

Farm animals can be grouped into ruminants and non-ruminants, depending on how they digest food.

Ruminants

• Meaning: animals with a stomach of four parts that chew the cud.
• Examples: cattle, sheep and goats.
• Food: mainly grass and other forage.

Non-ruminants

• Meaning: animals that do not chew the cud.
• Examples: pigs, poultry and rabbits.
• Food: grains, concentrates and some forage, depending on the animal.

Fish

• Meaning: aquatic animals raised in ponds, tanks or cages.
• Farming name: fish farming.

What are the branches of livestock farming?

Each kind of livestock farming has its own name.

What are subsistence and commercial livestock farming?

Subsistence farming is done to feed the farmer’s family, while commercial farming is done to make a profit.

What is subsistence livestock farming?

Subsistence livestock farming is small-scale farming done mostly to feed the farmer’s family.

• Scale: very small, for example five chickens or two goats in the backyard.
• Labour: usually family members only.
• Tools: simple hand tools.
• Profit: little or none, because the goal is to feed the family.

What is commercial livestock farming?

Commercial livestock farming is large-scale farming done as a business to make profit.

• Scale: large, for example thousands of birds or hundreds of cattle.
• Labour: hired workers and experts such as veterinarians and farm managers.
• Tools: machines and modern equipment such as automatic feeders and milking machines.
• Profit: high, because the farmer sells to large markets or exports.

What are the differences between subsistence and commercial livestock farming?

What are the problems of livestock farming?

The problems of livestock farming are the difficulties farmers face in raising animals.

• Diseases and pests: sickness can kill many animals and cause heavy loss.
• High cost of feed: good feed is expensive and affects profit.
• Lack of capital: housing, feed and drugs need money.
• Theft: animals can be stolen if the farm is not well protected.
• Poor housing and care: weak pens and poor hygiene cause stress and disease.

Evaluation

1. In your own words, define livestock farming.
2. List four products we get from cattle.
3. If a farmer has 5,000 chickens and sells them to a fast-food chain, is he a subsistence or commercial farmer? Give a reason.
4. Give three differences between subsistence and commercial livestock farming.
5. Name three ruminant animals.

Assignment

State five reasons why livestock farming is important, and give one example of an animal product for each reason.