Back to: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE JSS 1
Welcome to class!
In today’s class, we will be talking about the importance of farm animals. Enjoy the class!
Importance of Farm Animals
Farm animals are also called Livestock. Livestock animals are of great importance to the welfare of man all over the globe. They are raised and kept on for various reasons. An essential purpose of having livestock is food production and supply.
The most important food products used as food for man are as follows:
1. Meat:
This is the flesh, muscle, or flesh and the associated fat, connective tissue of slaughtered animals e.g. Pork, mutton, beef, chevon etc. Meat is a very good source of animal protein in the diet of man. Moreover, animal protein is necessary for the metabolic process in the body.
2. Milk:
Milk is a white creamy coloured secretion from the mammary glands of female animals, and it is produced after parturition (an act of giving birth). This is also a very valuable source of animal protein. Cow, Buffalo, Sheep, and Goats are a good source of milk.
3. Eggs:
Poultry eggs are products gotten from laying chickens and they are taken by man. Fortunately, it is also a good source of protein too.
Other products gotten from livestock animals are:
- Hides and Skin; for leather industries and they are also edible
- Chemical or liquid extractions form internal organs of animals; these are used in the pharmaceutical industries to manufacture hormones, medicines, and other kinds of drugs
- Animal fats; it is used for soap production; lubricating oil, and drug synthesis
- Horns and hooves; used in the industry to produce gelatin, buttons, glues, buttons, and some other items
- Manures; these are the droppings from animals and they can be used as fertilizers by farmers or for methane gas production
Intangible benefits of keeping livestock are:
- Companionship; animals can serve as a companion to man
- Income generation; we have people who raise animals to sell when matured
- Some can be used as drought animals in carrying out farm operations such as ploughing and harrowing while they can be used for house chores. Animals in this category are Cattle, Oxen, Horse, Donkey, and dog
- Some animals can be used as beast of burden to help in carrying heavy loads
- Some animals are natural weeders around our home.
Livestock animals (Cattle, Horses, Chickens, Turkeys, Pigs, Sheep, etc.) Have been a huge part of human existence since the beginning of our civilization. Humans have used animals for meat, milk, eggs, labour, and clothing for thousands of years. Millions of people around the globe take care of livestock every day.
In our next class, we will be talking about Method of Weed and Pest Control. We hope you enjoyed the class.
Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.
For more class notes, homework help, exam practice, download our App HEREJoin ClassNotes.ng Telegram Community for exclusive content and support HERE