SOME ANIMAL MATING RITUALS YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF

The Cuttlefish Mating Ritual

Cuttlefish are sea mollusks that resemble squids. Their camouflaging abilities of color changes for protection also help in attracting females. The male dominated cuttlefish population results in a constant battle for a single female’s attention. However size is of no consequence and the intelligent ones succeed by disguising themselves as females to maneuver through clusters of males towards an unsuspecting female. They will hide their additional arm used as a sperm dispenser. Some fish also have the ability to appear as half male and half female to ward off rivals.

The Water Strider Mating Ritual

The water strider may be an insignificant little water fly, but when it comes to mating, the male is very demanding. Without any ritualistic dance or attraction he will climb atop the female expecting her to give in immediately. If she fails to do so he attempts to kill her by rippling the water to attract a predator towards her. He will only stop the rippling activity if she gives in. The female’s singular ability to fertilize eggs produced throughout a lifespan makes her disinterested in mating. It is only due to the male’s threats that they do so.

The Albatross Bird Mating Ritual

The cartoon like mating ritual of the albatross birds involves movements with their bills mimicking a sort of sword fencing fight. However these birds are totally monogamous preferring the company of each other lifelong. Throughout their 50 year lifespan, they will breed with the same partner every year. The bill dance is a major vocal event with a lot of clucking and cackling noise unique to the pair involved. With time the ritual gets subdued and lessens with age similar to the marital relationships of human beings.

Sea Horses Mating Rituals

Sea horses tend to behave in the same way as humans where mating and attraction is concerned. Before a couple can actually mate they will meet every day to engage in social activity and intimacy. In perfect synchronization, they will swim, entwine their tails, and move along with each other. A perfectly romantic process, leads to the female carefully placing her eggs in the abdominal pouch of the male. Here the male is the pregnant partner, weird but true. Once the babies are born they are abandoned on their own and the male looks for a new female again

The Prairie Voles Mating Ritual

It is surprising to learn that prairie voles actually provide scientists with a case study for observing human bonding and why some tend to be promiscuous. Prairie voles due to their high content of natural neurochemical receptors like vasopressin and oxytocin are ensured of a strong bonding with their partners. Although some do tend t have affairs with other voles, in general they will remain faithful with one partner throughout their lifespan. The same partners will remain with each other raising several litters throughout the year.

The Puffer Fish Mating Ritual

The puffer fish is truly artistic in his mating attempts. This little 12 cm fish will go to great lengths to decorate the ocean floor over an area of 2 meters in a circled pattern using coral and shells. This artwork nest takes about 12 days after which the female lays eggs within the center of the circled design. The elaborate designs are reflective of the strength of the male puffer which is what attracts the female. These designs have intrigued scientists in earlier years until a live photographed act revealed the designs as the work of the little puffer.

The Quoll Mating Ritual

The Quoll is a little marsupial found in the Australian region. Their size and innocence however is in extreme contrast to their aggressive mating. When the female is ready to mate, the male will copulate with such violent force that the female may be lucky to survive the process with just cuts and bruises. In some cases the male ends up killing his partner in the act or he is shunned by her. However what’s weird is that he may also end up killing himself due to exhaustive multiple attempts of mating and fighting other males.

The Flamingo Mating Ritual

When flamingoes mate it is an enjoyable dance in perfect synchronization involving the entire community. Akin to a well-choreographed chorus line, the birds will strut, stretch, puff and swivel about in perfect unison. Preceding every ritual, the males will oil themselves all over through secretions from a gland on the tail. This oil is also a protective cover from natural elements. It is believed that the female chooses a mate by close observation of the male who mirrors her actions best.

The Bower bird Mating Ritual

The male bower bird is all class and sophistication when it comes to impressing his female. In order to attract her he will build a perfect beautiful nest complete with uniform design. Even the entrance will be a decorative arch lined with colorful objects. The perfection is reflective in the placement of objects that ensure the illusion of objects appearing uniform in size to the female. The nest building process is the main activity of the bower bird and it usually the more experienced older birds that get the female.

The Scorpion Mating Ritual

The mating ritual of scorpions may seem a lively dance, but in effect, the wild aggressive actions initiated by the male are actually a defense mechanism to protect against the female’s bizarre nature of trying to devour his head first. Scorpions mate on moonless nights with the male hovering around the female a good 20 minutes. He then clasps the female’s pincers with his in order to restrain her and then deposits a spermatophore containing sperm on the surface of the ground. The female then absorbs the sperm into herself.

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NEWS: Agriculture Should Be Treated As Business

Nigeria: Agriculture Should Be Treated As Business - -Experts

30 May 2014 , By Jimoh Babatunde, Source: Vanguard

Experts from the agricultural sector in Africa emphasized that shift in mindset is paramount in breaking the problem of low production of both food and cash crops on the continent. The experts agreed that although Africa has a large labour force in its agricultural sector, comprising 57% of the working population, it still heavily relies on food imports.

"This means that farmers are simply not producing enough food to feed the continent's surging population estimated at one billion people."

In an interactive session titled "From Farm to Market" at the just concluded Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Kigali, Rwanda, the experts brought to light solutions to persistent challenges in the agricultural sector.
"Despite the fact that Africa has a rich biodiversity and most of the people are engaged in farming activities, production is still very wanting. Africa imports US $25 billion worth of food each year, with only US $1 billion coming from Africa. It means that we are not fully exploiting the opportunities in this important sector," Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina, said.
"It is high time we realized that agriculture can no longer be treated as a social activity or a normal development program. It must be treated as a business and managed as an enterprise because it is the future of Africa's socio- economic development."

He said that mechanization and irrigation programs must be emphasized throughout the continent, while governments must concentrate on finding more incentives to farmers. "We must think of mechanization; irrigation activity in Africa's arable land is still as low as 3%, while farmers still predominantly use hoes to till their gardens. We need to use production methods that are adequate, that add value and volume to the produce coming from farms," he said. "Governments should ensure that farmers' products have ready markets. They should also register all biometrics about the farmers in their countries, so that they follow them up and know all their challenges."

According to the founder of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), Philip Kiriro, Africa's youthful population should be trained to develop agri-business models that not only create jobs but also contribute significantly to the continent's food basket.

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Animal Jokes

JUST FOR FUN

Two bats were hanging upside down on a branch. One asks the other, "Do you recall your worst day last year?" The other responds, "Yes, the day I had diarrhea!"
By LadyD.

Two dog owners are arguing over whose dog is the cleverest. ‘My dog is so smart’, says the first owner, ‘that every morning he waits for the paper boy to come round. He tips the boy and then brings the newspaper to me, along with my morning cup of coffee.’ ‘I know,’ says the second owner.
‘How do you know?’
‘My dog told me.

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10 DEADLIEST ANIMALS IN THE WORLD

We humans are constantly putting in efforts to make a better and safer life for ourselves, but the world remains a dangerous place. As for wild animals, what determines their danger level might not necessarily be size.
We may think of some of these animals as friendly or harmless, but sometimes even “friendly” or docile-seeming species can become dangerous if provoked.
Here is a list of the top 10 most dangerous animals on earth, beginning with number 10.

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BASIC TERMS USED IN FISH FARMING

Many of us in the process of making some researches always come across some terminologies being used in fishery, but here are some basic terms being used, it will definitely make it easier to understand your researches.

Aquaculture - also known as aquafarming, it is the controlled growth of aquatic species.

Pisciculture - aquaculture practice involving finned fish.

Extensive aquaculture - managed aquaculture dependent on the local natural setting, such as a pond or coastal sea area.

Intensive aquaculture - managed aquaculture controlled through human engineered means, such as managing water quality and sources of food.

Fish farm - locations used to grow populations of aquatic organisms, primarily fish.

Fish Hatchery - one form of a fish farm, managed with the intent of resupplying native wild populations in natural environments.

Ornamental fish - are small fish, such as koi, which are typically grown to be kept in aquariums or small landscape ponds.

Game fish - Fish, such as trout, raised to become replenishment stock for natural sport fisheries.

Wild fishing harvest - the commercial and personal fishing consumption in a specific area and over a specific time frame.

Fish farming Water Quality - the characteristics of water, such as water temperature and contamination, which define its ability to sustain life and its purity from chemicals.

Culture tanks - Artificial holding areas used to rear fish farm stocks.

Fish husbandry - the breeding and rearing of fish for a variety of reasons.

Anadromous fish - migratory fish that live in salt water but breed in fresh water.

Catadromous fish - migratory fish that live in fresh water but breed in salt water.

Amphidromous fish - migratory fish that live in both fresh and salt water, independent of breeding.

Potamodromous fish - migratory fish that move within fresh water only.

Oceanodromous fish - migratory fish that move within salt water only.

Genotyping - determining the genetic makeup of a fish or stock or the purpose of managing the efficiency of aquaculture production.

In vitro fertilization - artificially fertilizing fish eggs in a laboratory setting.

Fish meal - commercially processed food source used in fish farming as a source of protein for the fish stock.

Fry - Development stage of fish immediately after the larvae stage, at an age of less than a week.

Fingerling - Development stage of fish following the fry stage and continuing into the first three to four months of life.

Yearling - Development stage of fish following the fingerling stage and lasting until approximately one year of age. Brood stock - fish of any particular species which are raised for reproduction purposes.

Fish kill - a description of the number of fish stock to die in a specific amount of time. Pond acreage - area committed to extensive aquaculture holdings at a fish farm or company.

Environmental Overfishing - detrimental practice of removing more of a natural aquatic species than what natural reproduction can support.

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POULTRY MEDICATION

Antibiotics
for now i am still a lay-man when it comes to poultry medication and have no qualifications in this field yet so this information should, naturally be taken as a 'view' and part of your overall research into what is best for your poultry.

A ntibiotics are a fairly common treatment given to poultry on prescription to treat a variety of infections. Baytril or Tylan are often given to chickens with respiratory problems for example (and seem to work well for this complaint) but what is the risk is to our health when we are using antibiotics in animals that are producing food for human consumption?

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POULTRY SANITATION [cleaning and disinfecting]

Poultry-sanitation

After so many questions being asked on how our poultry can be sanitized [cleaned and disinfected] so I decided to be of help, the ravage of diseases has been a very big problem affecting poultry farms and these diseases are caused by some micro-organisms[bacteria, fungi, virus].
Not all micro-organisms are harmful, some are harmless[free-living], but the best way to eradicate diseases in your poultry is to treat all of them like they are severe and dangerous.
These disease, even though tough but can still be prevented, and this can be done by sanitation i.e cleaning and disinfecting.

CLEANING

Cleaning is to be done before disinfecting inorder to get the best out of the disinfectants and when I said cleaning I meant thorough cleaning, make sure you remove as much organic matter as practicable from surfaces to be disinfected. All debris including down, egg shells, droppings, tissue residues, etc. must be removed from the hatchery. This is followed by thorough cleaning using warm water and appropriate cleaning aides. Care is focused on selecting the proper detergent and thus producing the cleanest hatchery environment possible. Special attention is placed on compensating for variations in hardness, salinity and pH of the cleaning water. A thorough rinsing with abundant quantities of clean sanitized water completes the cleaning process and removes most lingering residues of detergents and organic matter or microbial organisms that can interfere with the effectiveness of a disinfectant.

DISINFECTING

After getting rid of the visible organic matter by cleaning, we would ask ourselves "how can the unseen{microorganisms} be gotten rid of??". That's where the disinfectant solution comes in, it is used to kill microorganism, there are different types of disinfectants and not all disinfectants are suitable for every situation.
Only after the facilities have been thoroughly cleaned are the surfaces treated with an appropriate disinfectant solution.
When selecting a disinfectant carefully consider:

The type of surface being treated

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The cleanliness of the surface

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The type of organism being treated

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The durability of the equipment/surface material

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Time limitations on treatment duration

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residual activity requirements

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Disinfectants can be divided into seven categories;

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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FARM ANIMALS

PIG

Pigs, are very intelligent animals. They recognise and respond to their names by the time they are 2-3 weeks old

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Pigs are very clean and keep their toilet area far away from their main living and eating area

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HORSE

Early ancestors to the horse such as hyracatherium who lived 50 million years ago, were as small as cats

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A horses' height is measured in hands, each hand equals four inches

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A 1,200-pound horse eats about 7 times its own weight each year

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SHEEP

There are about one billion sheep on the planet New zealand has 10 times as many sheeps as humans.
When woodraw wilson was president of the USA, he kept sheeps on the white house lawn

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COW

Every cow has a unique pattern of spots

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Cows provide 90% of the world's milk, the best milkers can provide 400 glasses of milk a day

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Cows graze for about 8 hours a day

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CHICKEN

Hens lay an average of 300 eggs a year

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The chicken is the closest living relative of tyrannosaurus rex

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Hens lay larger eggs as they get older

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FISH FARMING

AQUACULTURE Fish farming is the principal form of aquaculture, while other methods may fall under mariculture. Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. A facility that releases juvenile fish into the wild for recreational fishing or to supplement a species' natural numbers is generally referred to as a fish hatchery. Worldwide, the most important fish species used in fish farming are carp, salmon, tilapia and catfish.
There is an increasing demand for fish and fish protein, which has resulted in widespread overfishing in wild fisheries. Fish farming offers fish marketers another source. However, farming carnivorous fish, such as salmon, does not always reduce pressure on wild fisheries, since carnivorous farmed fish are usually fed fishmeal and fish oil extracted from wild forage fish.
Major categories of fish aquaculture
There are two kinds of aquaculture: extensive aquaculture based on local photosynthetical production and intensive aquaculture, in which the fish are fed with external food supply. Extensive aquaculture

Limiting for growth here is the available food supply by natural sources, commonly zooplankton feeding on pelagic algae or benthic animals, such as crustaceans and mollusks. Tilapia species filter feed directly on phytoplankton, which makes higher production possible. The photosynthetic production can be increased by fertilizing the pond water with artificial fertilizer mixtures, such as potash, phosphorus, nitrogen and micro-elements.
Because most fish are carnivorous, they occupy a higher place in the trophic chain and therefore only a tiny fraction of primary photosynthetic production (typically 1%) will be converted into harvest-able fish.

Another issue is the risk of algal blooms.

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HOW TO START A POULTRY FARM

Poultry farming
poultry at your backyard
poultry on a largescale(intensive farming)

firstly, you have to know what aspect you want to be based on. Is it????

Egg production

Meat production

Poultry feed production

Chicken breeding

Secondly, you have to know the type of bird you want to breed.

Chicken

Turkey

Goose

Duck

Peacock

But I would be writing on chicken breeding for meat, there is hardly any person that doesn't eat meat.

thirdly, now you would look at how much you want to start with (capital)
Poultry farming is capital intensive depending on the scale, but if its a poultry behind your house(small scale), it would require littile capital (ranging from N5000 - N15000) depending on the size, but if its a large scale poultry depending on how large, it would require N100,000 - and above. The scale is directly proportional to the capital.

fourthly, look for a good location, because its vital to the success and profit of the farm. Locate your farm where there is large availability of cheap land and if its your backyard its still good, at the same time it shouldn't be situated in a residential area because the poultry produces odour which can be very offensive.

furthermore, how to house your birds is another challenge but there are three types of housing methods employed in respect to housing your bird.

extensive system - free range

semi-intensive

intensive system - deep litter, battery cage, wire and slated floor

if you are running a small scale poultry and you are using your backyard, adopt the method of building a cage (intensive system) and start breeding your birds, but if its in large scale, you should adopt the intensive system, I think I prefer the deep litter system but you know its your farm, your choices count. NOTE each type of housing has its own advantages and disadvantages. Now your poultry house should be built.

the following equipment may be needed on your poultry farm.

feeders

drinkers

lighting system

waste disposal system

heaters and brooders

cages and coops

nests

crates

egg tray

incubator

but for people small scale you may only need the first five.
Now you all what you need to start your farm, let's put it all together, when you have your building erected, go and search for place to get healthy day old chicks put them in a very. Warm place that has been thoroughly disinfected to prevent them from diseases, make sure no cold breeze comes in because of their body temperature you can put even put source of heat like lantern or bulb, then u'ld feed them with chick starters feed and give them a lot of water with appropriate vitamins and antibiotics (see your vet) continue till about 6 weeks with constant supervision,when they are strong enough you can now bring them out to the place you have built for them and feed them morning and evening. You can start selling off your birds when they reach full maturity between 20 – 24 weeks. The payback period of a poultry farming business is between 3 – 5 years.

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HOW TO START A PIG FARM

Pig farming Pigs on the farm A sow and her piglets
Pigs can be farmed as free range, being allowed to wander around a village, kept in fields, or tethered in a simple shelter. In developed countries, farming has moved away from traditional pig farming and pigs are now typically intensively farmed.
Today, pig farms are much larger than in the past, with most large-scale farms housing 5,000 or more pigs in climate-controlled buildings. With 100 million pigs slaughtered each year, these efficiencies deliver affordable meat for consumers and larger profits for producers.
Individual farm management focuses on housing facilities, feeding and ventilation systems, temperature and environmental controls and the economic viability of their operations. Just as producers have to determine profit margins and types of facilities and equipment for their farm, they must also find the practices that best fit their specific situation. Some procedures and treatments are known to stress the animals and producers should consider the animals' welfare, health and management in correspondence with accepted husbandry skills.

how to start a pig farm

The first thing you have to do is get a suitable place for your pigs' pen, it has to be spacious and well ventilated because pigs don't have sweat glands so they need the ventilation to keep them cool, pigs needs space so they can move around but not too much so their muscle tissue won't develop too much, therefore making their meat tough.
A good pen should be 10 by 10 feet of moving space and 5 by 5 feet of eating space. Pigs produce foul smell so try and locate your pen in an isolated area.

Secondly, check the internet or your neighbourhood for places and people that sell piglets, buy healthy piglets ranging from the age of four weeks and eight weeks old.

Thirdly, you must also provide a strong and seperate food and water trough, if possible let it be a galvanized iron so its easy to clean.
Now you have to get a good source of NUTRITION, you must have a regular source of food for your pigs. This is kind of easy because pigs eat anything that is edible, but make sure you boil any scrap food you give them to prevent them from bacteria and diseases. Mix their feed with something full of nutrients like vitamins and minerals. You can go the natural way and give them lots of fruits and vegetables. Some prefer commercial supplements.

Water is essential in keeping your pigs healthy, pigs need water to stay hydrated especially since they don't sweat, so provide a source of water where they can wash themselves or even stay in it to keep themselves cool, you can change the water regularly if necessary.

Pig manure is one of the problems if you’re keeping pigs for meat or breeding. Aside from the annoying smell, you need to manually clean their pens to get rid of the manure. More often than not, their drinking water will have some waste in them too. However, this can be a welcome annoyance. Find someone who is willing to buy pig manure from you. This is valuable in crop farming as they are excellent fertilizers. You can earn a little extra from something a bit disgusting.

Another important thing to know on how to start pig farming to generate money is determine the possible market. For huge pig farms, there won’t be much of a problem. Usually, large companies will be the one to approach you to see if your pigs are of high quality so they can start purchasing from you. You should be wary of the competition, though. With the high demand for quality pork, more and more people are entering the industry. You will still need to advertise and approach the companies if necessary. For small-time pig farmers, your market will circle around your neighbourhood or community. In any case, you must be aware of the standard selling price of pork cuts or whole pigs to avoid unscrupulous people.

The biggest secrets on how to start a pig farm is to have the determination to succeed and to have ample knowledge on the subject. And knowledge? you already have, so go out there and make some money for yourself.

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COMMON BREEDS OF PIG REARED IN NIGERIA

I compiled this post after so many questions been asked about the types of breed of pigs that are reared in Nigeria, so here are some breeds .........................
The Large White, also known as the English Large White, is a breed of domestic pig originating in Yorkshire, hence also known as the Yorkshire pig. First recognized in 1868, the breed is the progenitor of the American Yorkshire (or simply Yorkshire) in North America.
[1] The Large White is one of the most numerous of all pig breeds, widely used in crossbreeding for intensive pig farming around the world.
[2] True to its name the breed is a big white-skinned pig, with erect ears and a dished face. It was originally developed as an outdoor breed, but today it is one of those favored by commercial pig breeders, lending uniformity to pigs produced for meat on a large scale.
[3]

The American Landrace is a medium to large breed of domestic pig, white in colour, with long bodies, fine hair, long snouts, and heavy, drooping ears. They are bred for pork production. The American Landrace derives from the Danish Landrace of 1895 Danish origin. In the early 1930s, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark for the purchase of 24 Danish Landrace to be used for swine research studies, with the stipulation that they would not be commercially propagated as a pure breed. Landrace were subsequently used in numerous comparisons with American breeds. In 1949, upon USDA petition, Denmark released the United States from its breeding restrictions. The American Landrace Association was formed in 1950, and the American Landrace breed was established from outcrosses with Norwegian and Swedish breeding stock.

the duroc pig, In 1812, early "Red Hogs" were bred in New York and New Jersey. They were large in size. Large litters and the ability to grow quickly were characteristics Durocs possessed from the beginning. The foundation that formed today's "Duroc" was comprised of Red Durocs from New York and Jersey Reds from New Jersey.
In 1823, Isaac Frink of Milton in Saratoga County, New York, obtained from Harry Kelsey of Florida New York, a red boar, one of a litter of ten pigs. The sire and dam of these pigs were probably imported from England. Kelsey owned a famous trotting stallion named Duroc, so Frink named his red boar in honour of the horse. This boar was known for his smoothness and carcase quality.
His progeny continued the Duroc name and many of them inherited his colour, quick growth and maturity, deep body, broad ham and shoulder, and quiet disposition. The Duroc was smaller than the Jersey Red, with finer bones and better carcase quality. Beginning in the early 1860s, Durocs were made from a systematic blending of the two very different strains.
The first organization for the purpose of recording, improving, and promoting Red Hogs was the American Duroc-Jersey Association, which was established in 1883. At the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, Durocs gained wide popularity at the first successful Duroc Hog Show.
The Duroc made two attempts to gain a foothold in this country; the first in the early 70s was not very successful, although some of those pigs were exported on to Denmark. They were re- imported in the early 80s and a comprehensive trial was undertaken by the MLC to assess the merits of the Duroc as a terminal sire. It was found that in the British skin-on fresh pork market the Duroc could not be used as a purebred but only as component of a crossbred boar. The development of Duroc crossbred boars produced large numbers of crossbred gilts. A market was found for these due to a resurgence of interest in outdoor pig production. This has resulted in breeding and selection programmes for the British Duroc focusing on female line characteristics rather than the traditional terminal sire traits associated with the breed. The Duroc has now found a special niche in the British industry and a unique British version of the breed has been developed.
Their thick auburn winter coat and hard skin allows them to survive the cold and wet of the British winter. This coat moults out in summer to leave the pig looking almost bald, but as a consequence it can cope with hot dry summers equally well. All purebred Durocs are red in colour and the development of a so-called “White Duroc” has only been achieved by crossbreeding with a white breed.
Its tenacity in looking after its young combined with its docility between times makes it an ideal candidate for an outdoor pig, either as a dam or sire line, and its succulence and heavy muscling makes it very suitable for anything from light pork to heavy hog production.
Further research funded by the MLC has investigated the Duroc’s claim to produce high levels of tenderness. This has led to a recommendation to include Duroc genetics as part of the meat quality Blueprint.

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HOW TO MANAGE YOUR FARM

Farm management: What is a farm??? What do we mean by management??? A farm is specified area where agricultural activities takes place, for instance, planting of crops and rearing of animals(livestock). management is d making of decisions involved in organizing a particular thing or place for its maximum success, therefore farm management is the decision making involved in organizing a farm for its maximum production and profit.<( <( <( <(Farm management involves agricultural economics for information about the prices in market so the farm won't run at a loss, and also agricultural policies and all other farm economic issues, crop science also gives information about the soil, the type of seed to be planted, the type of fertilizers to use to aid the growth of crops, they also help to control weeds, insects and diseases that affect the crops. animal science helps in animal production their health, and also in the control of disease among the animals and how their feed are rationed. agricultural engineering, gives information about farm buildings, and machines used on the farm.<( In making decisions for a successful and productive farm, the farmer must integrate information from the biological, physical and social sciences.<( <(But farm managements differs widely, the most satisfactory plan for one farm may be the most unsatisfactory plan for another, just make the plan you have works for you.<( <(I believe you can now go back to your farm and manage it properly for maximum production and profit.

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5 UNIQUE ENDANGERED SPECIES YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T HEARD OF

5 UNIQUE ENDANGERED SPECIES YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T HEARD OF
In honor of Endangered Species Day we take a look at some of the fascinating creatures whose numbers are reducing drastically.

Saola, the "Asian Unicorn" What is the saola? Is it a goat? An antelope? A cow? A real life unicorn? Scientists aren't really sure. In fact, we don't know much about this creature first specimen was spotted only 22 years ago. How many are left? Estimates range from a few dozen to a few hundred. In other words, if you see one, it might be your lucky day How can we help them? Forests guard patrols are working to remove hunters' snares, which are a major threat to the species. The World Wildlife Fund is also helping conservation efforts.

Bonobos, the pygmy chimp Usually under 3 feet tall, this species was the last great ape to be recognized by scientists. And no, you're not the only one who thinks they look like little people. Just like chimps, these little cuties share 98.7% of their DNA with humans. How many are left? Fewer than 50,000 and rapidly declining How can they be helped? You can adopt a bonobo! (No, not physically adopt one. They are endangered, after all.)

Hawaiian Monk Seal, "Dog Running in the Rough Sea" Locals have a special name for this seal because it so closely resembles man's best friend, especially in the face. Hawaiians have a special reverence for this monk seal, as it is the only marine mammal that can't be found anywhere else. How many are left? Fewer than 1,100 How can they be helped? These seals get a bad rep, as many believe they're an invasive species. A large group of animal lovers have come together to fight that myth, hoping to stop intentional killing of the animal.

Leatherback Turtle, the seemingly shell-less wonder These giant turtles got their name from the layer of skin that keeps their shell hidden. In addition to being the largest turtles around, they're also the fastest, clocking in at 22 miles per hour (under water, of course). How many are left? It depends on the sub- species, but some are critically endangered How can they be helped? Like other sea turtles, the main threats to this species come from humans, like when newborns get attracted to hotel lights and never make it to the sea. Read up on the threats so you know how to avoid being part of the problem.

Tree Kangaroo, the wannabe sloth The tree kangaroos can't really decide what they want. Once upon a time, kangaroos' ancestors lived in trees, but then they climbed down. But the tree kangaroo - you guessed it - climbed back up. The result is a strange but adorable cross between its namesake and a lemur. How many are left? It depends on the sub- species, but many are critically endangered. There are only around 50 Wondiwoi tree kangaroos left. How can they be helped? Hunting is a major problem for these creatures. The World Wildlife Fund is combating this issue by maintaining protected areas and providing education about the risks.

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VIRAL DISEASES OF POULTRY

AVIAN POX Avian pox is a relatively slow-spreading viral disease in birds, characterized by wart-like nodules on the skin and diphtheritic necrotic membranes lining the mouth and upper respiratory system. It has been present in birds since the earliest history. Mortality is not usually significant unless the respiratory involvement is marked. The disease may occur in any age of bird, at any time. Avian pox is caused by a virus of which there are at least three different strains or types; fowl pox virus, pigeon pox virus and canary pox virus. Although some workers include turkey pox virus as a distinct strain, many feel that is identical to fowl pox virus. Each virus strain is infective for a number of species of birds. Natural occurring pox in chickens, turkeys and other domestic fowl is considered to be caused by fowl pox virus. Fowl pox can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact. The virus is highly resistant in dried scabs and under certain conditions may survive for months on contaminated premises. The disease may be transmitted by a number of species of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can harbor infective virus for a month or more after feeding on affected birds. After the infection is introduced, it spreads within the flock by mosquitoes as well as direct and indirect contact. Recovered birds do not remain carriers. Since fowl pox usually spreads slowly, a flock may be affected for several months. The course of the disease in the individual bird takes three to five weeks. Affected young birds are retarded in growth. Laying birds experience a drop in egg production. Birds of all ages that have oral or respiratory system involvement have difficulty eating and breathing. The disease manifests itself in one or two ways, cutaneous pox (dry form) or diphtheritic pox (wet form). Dry pox starts as small whitish foci that develop into wart-like nodules. The nodules eventually are sloughed and scab formation precedes final healing. Lesions are most commonly seen on the featherless parts of the body (comb, wattles, ear lobes, eyes, and sometimes the feet). Wet pox is associated with the oral cavity and the upper respiratory tract, particularly the larynx and trachea. The lesions are diphtheritic in character and involve the mucous membranes to such a degree that when removed, an ulcerated or eroded area is left. Fowl pox is readily diagnosed on the basis of flock history and presence of typical lesions. In some cases, laboratory diagnosis by tissue or transmission studies is necessary. There is no treatment for fowl pox. Disease control is accomplished best by preventative vaccination since ordinary management and sanitation practices will not prevent it. Several kinds of vaccines are available and are effective if used properly. Vaccination of broilers is not usually required unless the mosquito population is high or infections have occurred previously. The chicks may be vaccinated as young as one day of age by using the wing-web method and using a one needle applicator. All replacement chickens are vaccinated against fowl pox when the birds are six to ten weeks of age. One application of fowl pox vaccine results in permanent immunity. Newcastle Disease Newcastle disease is a contagious viral infection causing a respiratory nervous disorder in several species of fowl including chickens and turkeys. Different types or strains of the virus (varying in their ability to cause nervous disorder, visceral lesions and death) have been recognized. The most severe strain is called viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND) and is kept from birds in the U.S. by enforcement of strict quarantines at our national borders. It is often referred to as "Exotic Newcastle Disease" and infection of susceptible fowl with this form usually causes high mortality. Due to the reduced chance that poultry in this country will become infected with this disease form, it will not be discussed. A milder form of the disease is called "mesogenic" Newcastle disease and is the most serious strain found in the U.S. This is the form that is referred to as Newcastle disease in this discussion. Newcastle disease is highly contagious. All birds in a flock usually become infected within three to four days. The virus can be transmitted by contaminated equipment, shoes, clothing and free-flying birds. During the active respiratory stage, it can be transmitted through the air. The virus is not thought to travel any great distance by this method. Recovered birds are not considered carriers and the virus usually does not live longer than thirty days on the premises. Signs of Newcastle disease are not greatly different from those of other respiratory diseases. The signs most frequently observed are nasal discharge, excessive mucous in the trachea, cloudy air sacs, casts or plugs in the air passages of the lungs and cloudiness in the cornea of the eye. The disease in young chickens begins with difficult breathing, gasping and sneezing. This phase continues for ten to fourteen days and may be followed by nervous symptoms. If nervous disorders develop, they may consist of paralysis of one or both wings and legs or a twisting of the head and neck. The head often is drawn over the back or down between the legs. Mortality may vary from none to total loss of the flock. In adult chickens, respiratory symptoms predominate. Only rarely do nervous disorders develop. If the flock is laying, egg production usually drops rapidly. When this occurs, it takes four weeks or longer for the flock to return to the former production rate. During the outbreak, small, soft-shelled, off-colored and irregular-shaped eggs are produced. Mortality in adult birds is usually low but may be fairly high from some virus strains. In turkeys, the symptoms are usually mild and may be unnoticed unless nervous disorders develop. During an outbreak, turkeys will produce eggs with a chalky white shell. Reduced production in breeder flocks is the main economic loss from this disease in turkeys. The flock history, signs of a respiratory nervous disorder and other typical lesions often may be sufficient to allow a tentative diagnosis. Usually, however, the disease cannot be differentiated from infectious bronchitis and some of the other respiratory infections, except by laboratory methods. Vaccination is practiced widely and is the recommended method for prevention. Several types of vaccines are available but the most successful and widely used is the mild live virus vaccine known as the B 1 and La Sota types. The vaccines may be used by drops into the nostril or eye, addition to the drinking water or applied in spray form. Broiler chickens are usually vaccinated when seven to ten days of age. Chickens kept for egg production are usually vaccinated at least three times. The vaccine is given when birds are approximately seven days, again at about four weeks and a third time at about four months of age. Revaccination while in lay is commonly practiced. Vaccination is not widely used in turkeys. It is used to protect egg producing breeder flocks. One dose of the mild type vaccine is given after selecting breeder birds. There is no treatment for Newcastle disease. The disease does not always respect even the best management programs, but good "biosecurity" practices will help reduce the possibility of exposure to Newcastle disease virus. Infectious Bronchitis Infectious bronchitis is an extremely contagious respiratory disease of chickens characterized by coughing, sneezing and rales (rattling). It is caused by a virus that affects chickens only. Other fowl or laboratory animals cannot be infected with this virus. Several distinct strains of the virus exist. Infectious bronchitis is considered the most contagious of poultry diseases. When it occurs, all susceptible birds on the premises become infected, regardless of sanitary or quarantine precautions. The disease can spread through the air and can "jump" considerable distances during an active outbreak. It can also be spread by mechanical means such as on clothing, poultry crates and equipment. The disease is not egg transmitted and the virus will survive for probably no more than one week in the house when poultry are not present. It is easily destroyed by heat and ordinary disinfectants. The infection is confined to the respiratory system. Symptoms are difficult breathing, gasping, sneezing and rales. Some birds may have a slight watery nasal discharge. The disease never causes nervous symptoms. It prevails for ten to fourteen days in a flock and symptoms lasting longer than this are from some other cause. In chickens under three weeks of age, mortality may be as high as thirty or forty percent. The disease does not cause a significant mortality in birds over five weeks of age. Feed consumption decreases sharply and growth is retarded. When infectious bronchitis occurs in a laying flock, production usually drops to near zero with a few days. Four weeks or more may be required before the flock returns to production. Some flocks never regain an economical rate of lay. During an outbreak, small, soft-shelled, irregular-shaped eggs are produced. Infectious bronchitis is difficult to differentiate from many of the other respiratory diseases. For this reason, a definite diagnosis usually requires a laboratory analysis. Infectious bronchitis is highly contagious and does not always respect sanitary barriers. Vaccinate chickens being retained as layers. Whether broilers should be vaccinated depends upon many factors and is an individual decision. Numerous vaccines are available commercially. Most of them represent a modified or selected strain of the infectious bronchitis virus. The vaccine used should contain virus known to be present in the area. All vaccines contain live virus and those that give the best protection are also capable of producing symptoms and reducing egg production. The vaccine virus will spread to other susceptible birds. Vaccine is usually added to the drinking water, but may be dropped into the eye or nostril or used as a spray. There is no treatment for this disease. In young chickens it is helpful to increase the brooder temperature and provide as nearly ideal environmental conditions as possible. Quail Bronchitis Quail bronchitis is a contagious, highly fatal disease in young bobwhite quail. The virus causing this disease also infects chickens and turkey. This agent is also known as a CELO (Chick Embryo Lethal Organism) virus. It has been isolated from chicken eggs but does not produce a recognizable disease in chickens or turkeys. This agent may play a part in respiratory diseases and in infertility problems, but its importance must be established by additional research. It is important because it is one of the agents that may be isolated from birds with respiratory symptoms and is difficult to separate from other agents such as infectious bronchitis virus. Lymphoid Leukosis Characteristically, lymphoid leukosis is a disease of adult chickens; however, the disease appears to be increasing in importance for turkeys and game birds. Although the virus of lymphoid leukosis can produce various responses (blood, bone, lymph), the lymphoid tumor response is the most common. The disease is transmitted in a variety of ways. The causative viral agent is passed out of the body of infected birds via eggs and feces. The virus may be transmitted mechanically from infected birds to susceptibles by blood-sucking parasites or by man in such procedures as fowl pox vaccination. Lymphoid leukosis characteristically produces lymphoid tumors, particularly in the liver and spleen. The tumors may also affect other visceral organs such as ovary and lungs. Affected birds may die without preliminary symptoms, but the disease usually is chronic in nature and affected birds show loss of appetite, progressive emaciation and diarrhea. Clinically affected birds invariably die. Losses due to the disease are most severe shortly after onset of egg production, but losses will continue for as long as the flock is retained. Total loss may approach twenty percent during the life of a flock. Clinical diagnosis of lymphoid leukosis is based upon flock history and disease manifestations. The lymphoid disease cannot be readily distinguished from the visceral response to Marek's disease; however, there are some features that aid in differential diagnosis. There is no treatment for lymphoid leukosis. Although the disease cannot be prevented completely, there are certain steps that can be taken to help control the level of infection within a flock. Some steps are: Buy resistant strains of birds since genetic resistance is a deterrent, Brood in isolation and do not mix birds of different ages, especially through six weeks of age, Keep the incubator clean and disinfected, Control blood-sucking parasites, Good care, limiting stress, and adequate ration will be of benefit. Marek's Disease (Visceral Leukosis) Marek's disease is characteristically a disease of young chickens but older birds can also be affected. In contrast to the lymphoid leukosis tumor response, Marek's disease may be observed in more diverse locations. Marek's disease is caused by a virus belonging to the Herpes virus group. Much is known about the transmission of the virus; however, it appears that the virus is concentrated in the feather follicles and shed in the dander (sloughed skin and feather cells). The virus has a long survival time in dander since viable virus can be isolated from houses that have been depopulated for many months. The usual mode of transmission is by aerosols containing infected dander and dust. Young birds are most susceptible to infection by Marek's disease; however, since the incubation period is short, clinical symptoms can appear much earlier than in the case with lymphoid leukosis. Marek's disease may produce a variety of clinical responses, all lymphoid in character. These are acute visceral, neural, ocular, skin or combinations of the responses that can be seen. Marek's of the visceral type is characterized by widespread involvement with lesions commonly seen in gonads, liver, spleen, kidney and occasionally heart, lungs and muscles. The disease is often acute, with apparently healthy birds dying very rapidly with massive internal tumors. The disease may appear in broiler-age birds but the most severe losses occur in replacement pullet flocks prior to onset of egg production. The neural type of Marek's is typified by progressive paralysis of the wings, legs and neck. Loss of body weight, anemia, labored respiration and diarrhea are common symptom. If lesions are present, they are confined to the nerve trunks and plexes enervating the paralyzed extremities. Frequently no gross lesions can be observed. Ocular (eye) leukosis or "gray-eye" is usually seen in early maturity. Morbidity and mortality are usually low but may approach twenty-five percent in some flocks. It is characterized by the spotty depigmentation or diffuse graying of the iris in the eye. The pupil develops an irregular shape and fails to react to light. Emaciation diarrhea and death follow. Skin leukosis produces the most severe losses in broilers. The losses result from high condemnations at the processing plant. Enlargement of the feather follicles due to accumulations of lymphocytes is the typical lesion. This is the most infective virus since it is produced in the regions of the feather follicles and is shed with the skin dander. Acute Marek's disease can be extremely rapid in its course, producing mortality in apparently healthy birds. However, in some cases the lesions may regress and clinically affected birds may make complete recoveries. Diagnosis is based upon flock history and disease manifestations. Accurate diagnosis may depend on results of laboratory procedures. As is the case with lymphoid leukosis, there is no treatment for Marek's disease. A vaccine is available that is extremely effective (90% +) in the prevention of Marek's disease. It is administered to day-old chickens as a subcutaneous injection while the birds are in the hatchery. Use of the vaccine requires strict accordance with manufacturer's recommendations in a sterile environment. Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro) Infectious bursal disease is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of young chickens. It is most often found in highly concentrated poultry producing areas. It causes marked morbidity and mortality in affected flocks. Although the disease causes severe losses, its affect on reducing the bird's ability to develop immunity to other diseases may be the most serious effect produced by this disease. The transmission or spread of the disease can occur by direct contact (bird to bird), contaminated litter and feces, caretaker, contaminated air, equipment, feed, servicemen and possible insects and wild birds. It is extremely contagious. Birds have ruffled feathers, a slight tremor at onset of the disease, strained defecation, loss of appetite and are dehydrated. Affected birds have a tendency to sit and when forced to move, have an unsteady gait. Vent picking is common and a whitish diarrhea frequently develops. A sudden rise in body temperature is followed by a drop to subnormal temperature, prostration and death. Birds surviving the initial infection will recover rapidly within two weeks. Postmortem lesions include dehydration and changes in the bursa, skeletal muscle, liver and kidneys. All affected birds have bursal changes characterized by swelling, change in shape (oblong), color (pink, yellow, red, black) and the formation of a gelatinous film around the bursa. Within a few days the bursa shrinks to half its normal size or smaller. Diagnosis of infectious bursal disease is based on flock history and postmortem lesions. Laboratory procedures may be used to substantiate the diagnosis. Vaccines are available but must be carefully used. If given correctly, good immunity can be developed. There is no specific treatment for infectious bursal disease and indiscriminate medication with certain drugs may severely aggravate mortality. Supportive measures such as increasing heat, ventilation and water consumption are beneficial. .......#source http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/disviral.htm

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DISEASES IN POULTRY AND THEIR TREATMENT

Thanks for stopping by, in my previous posts I talked about preventing these diseases but as humans we can't be perfect, even with the modern antibiotics and the premixed medicated poultry rations the fowls still get sick. Some certain measures can be used to treat these diseases, but before we can treat them we have to first identity by the symptoms that the fowl shows. Among the actual diseases that infect domestic fowls, DIARRHEA is the most common. The SYMPTOMS are white or greenish loose droppings and they are mostly caused by cold, dampness, dirty surroundings and unclean food. We can treat it by Isolating the patient in warm, dry quarters and give her potassium permanganate solution to drink. Another disease is the FOWL CHOLERA, it is an infectious disease which is very chronic, it is a bacterial disease caused by a bacterium called PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA, most times its first detected by a sudden and unexpected death, other symptoms are anorexia, ruffled feathers, oral and nasal mucus discharge, coughing, loss of appetite, cyanosis and white or greenish watery mucoid diarrhoea. Many antibiotics and sulfonamides could lower death rate, but at discontinuation of the treatment, the disease could recur. Sulfonamides are appropriate for treatment, but they inhibit egg-laying. Another disease is TUBERCULOSIS also known as avian tuberculosis its an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM. Avian tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease characterized by the formation of granulomatous lesions in viscera, a progressive weight loss and death. It is usually encountered sporadically in birds reared in small yards, zoos and is a problem among caged, tubercles (gross and histological appearance) exotic birds. The diagnosis is based upon the complex evaluation of history, persisting lethality in adult flocks and the pathoanatomical findings. a (Hjarre's disease), pullorum disease etc. The treatment is not advised, as the disease is contagious for man. COCCIDIOSIS is another disease, also caused by an unhealthy environment, symptoms of coccidiosis in chickens include droopiness and listlessness, loss of appetite, loss of yellow color in shanks, pale combs and wattles, ruffled, unthrifty feathers, huddling or acting chilled, blood or mucus in the feces, diarrhea, dehydration, and even death. Other signs include poor feed digestion, poor weight gain and poor feed efficiency. When one chicken is diagnosed with cocci, the entire flock must be treated. Treat your flock with liquid amprolium (brand name Corid) by adding it in their water for 4 days. AFTER the treatment for cocci is completed, particularly when using amprolium, a vitamin supplement should be given to replace the Vitamin B1 lost during treatment.

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HOW TO PREVENT POULTRY BIRDS FROM DISEASES

THE ravages of disease add considerably to the difficulties of raising poultry birds in all parts of the world. It is the experience of poultry rearers that an annual toll has to be paid in the lives of young birds and older stock. Sooner or later, in addition, an epi- demic may break out and result in heavy losses and much discouragement. It is most important, therefore, to be able to recognize the symptoms and to know the causes of the many diseases to which vari- ous kinds of poultry are subject, by that we can be able to prevent the disease. Every practical effort should be made to reduce avoidable mortality. Practical experience and scientific in- vestigation have clearly proved that pre- ventive measures are more economical and effective than curative. Failing preven- tion, everything points to the importance of dealing promptly with the first cases, owing to the risk of infection of the rest of the stock. Control measures may be divided into three classes : 1. Proper housing and feeding of fowls. 2. General sanitation and disinfection. 3. Administration of medicine to sick birds. The details to which special attention must be given are covered by the following rules : 1. Isolate birds recently purchased — ^for two or three weeks. 2. Isolate every bird that shows any sign of ill health. 3. Provide a fresh and pure supply of water in a shady position. 4. Add Epsom salts (one teaspoonful to a quart) once a week to the drinking water. Give chickens daily a liberal supply of bran in addition to their other food. 5. Feed birds on a varied diet, including green food. 6. Arrange that birds have to scratch for some of their food. 7. Construct houses, nest boxes, etc., so that they can be readily and thoroughly disinfected. Houses should be free from drafts. 8. Disinfect contaminated soil by spraying, liming, and resting. 9. Visit the roosts at night to detect cases of wheezing due to colds, and to search for mites and other pests. 10. Keep on hand disinfectants, lice powders and medicines likely to be required. 11. Regular and thorough disinfection of woodwork, of feeding vessels, and of the drinking water should form part of the routine of poultry management Keep to all these preventive measures and I assure you a disease free poultry.

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NIGERIA: NORTH-CENTRAL DELEGATES ASk FOR GRAZING RESERVES COMMISSION

North-Central delegates to the National Conference have made a case for the establishment of a National Grazing Reserves Commission. The delegates in a memorandum, which was jointly sponsored by Senator Iyorchia Ayu and Magdalyne Mbadzendan Dura, both delegates representing North Central and Benue State, said if the recommendation sails through, would specifically provide for the establishment, preservation and control of national grazing reserves and livestock routes. Ayu in a letter copied to the National Conference committees on agriculture, national security and law, judiciary, human rights and legal reforms, informing them of the development, however hinged the recommendation on the recent clashes involving Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country, where several people were reportedly killed. "In recent times, Nigeria has recorded violent conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country, leading in most cases to loss of lives, properties and displacement of the farmers. "These conflicts have been actuated by the continuous search for green pastures and water by the herdsmen for their livestock. "Cattle are the predominant livestock in Nigeria and they are reared mainly by the nomadic Fulani of Northern Nigeria. Nomadic pastoralism is characterised by movement of cattle by nomads in search of pasture and water,” he said. The memo titled: “Grazing Reserves Ranch” should be done away with, adding that the National Livestock Policy should be put in place to regulate the rearing of livestock in accordance with global best practices. “In the interim, arrest and prosecution of persons perpetrating and sponsoring herders- farmers conflict should be taken care off. A Transnational Trade Policy should also be put in place by the federal government to regulate cross-border movement and management of livestock and persons. The document further said that the Nigeria Immigration and Custom Services should regulate document the entry and exit of cattle rearers and livestock from neighbouring countries. It suggested that livestock breeding states should enter into trade agreements with states that are endowed with arable land (such as Benue State) to produce grass/ fodder/ hay for exchange for cash or livestock products. According to the delegates, federal and state governments should sponsor livestock research in order to promote improved breeding, feeding, management and marketing. "The federal government and relevant states should undertake public enlightenment through radio programmes, specifically targeted at educating the nomadic-Fulani of the advantages of domesticating cattle rearing and the need for paradigm shift in their cultural approach to cattle breeding" it said.

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Economic importance of livestock

It is true that eating of too many animal products can increase the risk of heart disease, but this is only a problem in the developed world not in the developing world because the meat they eat is less fatty. Indeed, recent studies from Kenya, Egypt and Mexico show that children who do not eat enough meat and drink enough milk in their diets may grow up physically and mentally compromised. Livestock play a very important role in agriculture and the rural economies of the developing world, not only do they produce food directly, they also serve as farm inputs for crop production. Most of these rural farmers do not have enough capital to buy a tractor, so animal power or human power is used. For many smallholder farmers, livestock are the only ready source of cash to buy inputs for crop production - seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Livestock income also goes towards buying things the farmers cannot make for themselves. And that includes paying for school fees, medicine and taxes. Income from cropping is highly seasonal. In contrast, small stock, with their high rates of reproduction and growth, can provide a regular source of income from sales. So can milk and milk products like butter and cheese. Larger animals such as cattle are a capital reserve, built up in good times to be used when crops are poor or when the family is facing large expenses such as the cost of a wedding or a hospital bill. In the past, farmers could restore the fertility of their land by letting it lie fallow for several years or longer. But as population pressure increases, fallow periods decline or even disappear and different ways of maintaining food production are needed: enter the animal. Animals are a crucial link in nutrient cycles, returning nutrients to the soil in forms that plants can readily use. They can bring nutrients from pasture and rangeland and concentrate them on crop land through their manure and urine. The animal manure and urine that people in the developed world see as pollutants are vital fertilizers in the developing world. Few smallholders can afford enough mineral fertilizers. Animals give farmers a reason to plant legumes as pastures and cover crops that protect the soil and restore its structure and fertility.

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Poultry birds

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A sow(female pig) and her piglets

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A FEMALE PIG

An adult female or mother pig is called a sow. If the pig is a virgin or has not given birth, she is called a gilt. A gilt is usually less than a year old. A young female pig is reproductively mature around the age of eight months. Sows typically give birth to eight or nine piglets with each litter, with some litters having as many as 12 piglets. If there are more piglets born in a litter, they are usually smaller. Once the piglets are born, the mother and babies are separated into their own stalls to prevent the sow from accidentally lying on or rolling over one of her piglets.

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Farm Images

Cows

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LIVESTOCK(farm animals)

Livestock are domesticated animals raised in a farm setting, these animals are raised for so many reasons and some of these reasons are for food, profit and labour. Animals are domesticated when their breeding and living condition is controlled by HUMAN. Livestock are also referred to as FARM ANIMALS, some of the farm animals we are going to be dealing with are pigs, goats, sheeps, fishes and poultry birds, we might come across some other farm animals as we go on. Livestock are generally raised for profit. Raising animals ( animal husbandry) is a component of modern agriculture. It has been practiced in many cultures since the transition to farming from hunter-gather lifestyles. Livestock production can be a very great source of income but it takes time, patience and coordination. Everything that is good has its own enemy, same implies to these animals, they have a great enemy known has DISEASES, it can either be air-borne or water-borne, when this diseases attack the animals it causes great damage to them either internally or externally leading to an unhealthy farm, and might even cause death for the animal if not given appropriate attention. Some of these diseases are COCCIDIOSIS in poultry birds, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE in goats and sheeps, AFRICAN SWINE FEVER in pigs and many more. As tough as these diseases may be they also have cures, but we shall be looking at that in our subsequent articles.

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