Animal Husbandry - Cattle Farming and Farm Management (2024)

Since the time immemorial, animals have been an integral part of our food. They have been used to obtain food like milk, eggs, meat, etc. Other than the food, we use them even for some basic requirements like wool, silk, labour, etc. The population has reached its peak especially in a country like India. The population explosion has led to greater demand for basic requirements such as food, shelter, clothing, etc. To meet the increasing requirements and demands we need to apply a greater effort. One of such efforts to meet the food demand is animal husbandry. Animal husbandry includes cattle farming, poultry farming, fisheries, apiculture, etc. Here we will learn about cattle farming.

Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is the science of farming of animal livestock. It includes caring, breeding and management of livestock. Animal husbandry is a large scale business where animals that provide us food are reared, bred, sheltered and cared in a farm or regions which are specially built for them. Animal husbandry was initiated with cattle farming. Under the cattle farming, livestock such as cows, goats, buffalo, sheep, etc. are reared. Later, animal husbandry was even extended to poultry farming, fisheries, apiculture, etc. And this extends a helping hand to increasing needs of the generations.

Cattle Farming

Cattle farming involves rearing and management of two types of animals- one group for food requirements like milk and another for labour purposes like ploughing, irrigation, etc. Animals which provide milk are called milch/dairy animals. For example, goats, buffalo, cows, etc. Animals which are used for labour are called draught animals.

Since dairy animals are cared and bred for milk, we need to improve the milk production to meet the requirements. The period after the birth of a calf, when a cow starts to produce milk, is called lactation period. We can enhance milk production by increasing this lactation period. But along with milk production, quality must also meet. Dairy farm management is the management of the milch animals with the goal of enhancing the quantity and quality of the milk produced. For this reason, high yielding and disease resistant breeds are developed.

For example, the foreign breeds like Jersey, Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, have long lactation period while local breeds like Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, and Gir are known for their disease-resistant trait. The breeding of these two varieties helped us to enhance the quantity and quality of the milk produced.

Farm Management

Cattle farming are not all about milk or meat production. It has some responsibilities to do. To meet the human requirements, we need to take good care and need proper management of livestock.

Shelter

In cattle farming, animals are maintained in a strictly hygienic manner with proper housing. For the maintenance, we need to follow some routines.

  • Animals and their sheds need to be cleaned at a regular interval.
  • Animals should be brushed regularly to remove the dirt and bugs in their body.
  • The shed should be well-ventilated and roofed so that animals are protected from rain, heat, and cold.
  • A proper drainage system should be there to remove animal waste.

Also Read:Fish production

Food

Food requirements of animals are also a part of cattle farming. To maintain high yielding and disease-resistant breeds, they must be provided with an adequate water supply and nutrient-rich fodder regularly according to their needs. In cattle farming, two factors are considered regarding the food of cattle. The food that is provided must keep the animal health as well as it should meet the farming requirement. Hence, the animal feed includes roughage (high fibre content) and concentrates (high proteins and nutrient content). In addition to this, supplements containing micronutrients are also provided to animals. An adequate proportion of these rations promote healthy and high output animals.

Animal Husbandry - Cattle Farming and Farm Management (2)

Disease Management

The third responsibility of cattle farming management is to maintain disease-free breeds. Animals are not an exception to disease. They also suffer from numerous diseases. This may affect the health as well as productivity of animals; even cause their death. Parasites, bacteria, and viruses are the major villains here. These microbes infect the cattle externally as well as internally. Vaccination is the one solution for the protection against bacterial and viral infections.

Questions

Q.1. The other name for Splenic fever is

  • FMD
  • Anthrax
  • Cowpox
  • Mastitis

A.1. The other name for Splenic fever is Anthrax

Q.2. Name the largest part of the ruminant stomach.

A.2. The largest part of the ruminant stomach is the rumen

Q.3. What is Galactopoiesis?

A.3.The maintenance of milk production is referred to as galactopoiesis. This phase needs prolactin. For the milk let-down reflex to be generated, oxytocin is crucial for the response of suckling. Galactorrhea is the production of milk that is irrelevant to the process of nursing.

Q.4. What are the benefits of cattle farming?

A.4.Listed below are the benefits of cattle farming:

  • Milk cattle are extensively used for milk production
  • The draught cattle are widely used for the labour in association with streams like agriculture where they are used in carting and irrigation
  • The cattle farm is known to increase the overall revenue for the farmers and improves their standard of living
  • The animal waste that is produced can be used as a source of manure for soil enrichment and as a source of biofuel.
  • It is a source of employment to a huge number of people.

Q.5. Write about the importance of animal husbandry in India.

A.5.Animal husbandry is of paramount importance in India, listed below are some chief points stating its importance:

  • It provides livestock production
  • It is an indispensable part of the process of crop farming which significantly contributes to the household food security and community nutrition
  • Animal husbandry provides some main products such as wool, skin, and mutton that are obtained from the sheep
  • Milk is produced by cows, buffaloes, etc
  • It provides a means to curb poverty through a rise in the household income
  • Crop-farming is formed by an elemental part, the livestock production by participating in poverty elevation via increased income.

Learn more in detail about what is cattle farming, its process, its importance and other related topics at BYJU’S Biology.

Also Read:

  • Vaccination
  • Immunity
Animal Husbandry - Cattle Farming and Farm Management (2024)

FAQs

What is animal husbandry and management? ›

Animal husbandry is the science of farming of animal livestock. It includes caring, breeding and management of livestock. Animal husbandry is a large scale business where animals that provide us food are reared, bred, sheltered and cared in a farm or regions which are specially built for them.

What is management of farms and farm animals? ›

Important measuresfor improvement of dairy farm- Selection of good breeds having high yielding potential. The animals have to be housed well, should have adequate water and be maintained disease free. Providing good quality and quantity of fodder. Maintenance of hygienic environment.

What are the 3 system of animal management? ›

According to FAO there are three main livestock management systems: mixed production. intensive farming systems “landless” extensive production system.

What is farm animal husbandry? ›

Animal-husbandry definition

The management and care of farm animals by humans for profit, in which genetic qualities and behaviour, considered to be advantageous to humans, are further developed. noun.

What is cattle management? ›

Extensive System of cattle management

: This is the traditional method of cattle production. It is commonly practiced in tropical countries of the this system, cattle are moved from one grazing land to the other depending on the availability of grass. Most cattle in Nigeria are reared under this system.

What is the importance of cattle farming? ›

The cattle farm is considered to improve farmers' total income and to boost their living conditions. As a means of manure for soil enrichment and as a source of biofuel, the animal waste which is produced can be used. For a significant number of people, it is a source of employment.

What is farm management? ›

farm management, making and implementing of the decisions involved in organizing and operating a farm for maximum production and profit. Farm management draws on agricultural economics for information on prices, markets, agricultural policy, and economic institutions such as leasing and credit.

What is the meaning animal husbandry? ›

Definition of animal husbandry

: a branch of agriculture concerned with the production and care of domestic animals.

What are the 3 types of farming? ›

Types of Farming
  • Arable Farming. Arable farming is a method that involves growing crops primarily in regions that have a warm climate across the year. ...
  • Pastoral Farming. ...
  • Mixed Farming. ...
  • Commercial Farming. ...
  • Subsistence Farming. ...
  • Extensive and Intensive Farming. ...
  • Nomadic Farming. ...
  • Sedentary Farming.
Jan 25, 2022

What are the 6 main types of livestock? ›

World's 6 main types of the life stock are horses ,donkey, cattle , zebu,yak ,sheep.

What is cattle production system? ›

Beef cattle production is done within a system that includes grazing on large amounts of land per cow; being fed high-calorie diets for a few months in large populations immediately prior to slaughter; long gestation and growth periods so that animals are sold for food 2-3 years from the time they were conceived; and, ...

What is importance of animal husbandry? ›

Animal husbandry also helps farmers to control and check unrestricted breeding. It keeps a check on the animals to prevent uncontrolled reproduction. It also provides employment to a large number of farmers, depending on the scale at which it is being practiced.

What are main features of animal husbandry? ›

Proper feeding of animals. Providing freshwater to animals. Providing safe and hygienic shelter to animals. Ensuring proper health of animals and protection against diseases.

What is animal production and management? ›

The Livestock Production and Management Associate of Applied Science program focuses on the animal care and management, business management, and associated services that are part of a livestock enterprise or related industry. Students choose a species specialization in Beef, Small Ruminant, or Swine.

What is animal management? ›

Title: Livestock Management. Definition: A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of livestock animals and the production and handling of meat and other products.

What is farm livestock management? ›

Livestock management involves managing farm animals and supervising farm workers. Livestock management requires knowledge of animal science and animal husbandry, as well as good business sense. Many livestock managers must also keep financial records for their operations.

What are the different types of cattle farming? ›

CATTLE FARMING METHODS: There are different farming systems through which cattle can be raised such as grass-fed, grain-finished, cow – calf farms and feedlots.

What are the benefits of cattle? ›

1. Cattle provide us with beef 2. Cattle provide us with important byproducts 3. Cattle benefit the environment and help prevent range fires
  • Cattle provide us with beef.
  • Cattle provide us with important byproducts.
  • Cattle benefit the environment and help prevent range fires.

What is a cattle farm called? ›

cattle ranch, ranch, spread.

How does cattle farming affect the environment? ›

Soil degradation

Livestock farming is one of the main contributors to soil erosion around the world. Turning forests into pasture and overgrazing, or using marginal lands to grow feed, can lead to extreme loss of topsoil and organic matter that may take decades or centuries to replace.

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