Theory question 108
Animal Nutrition(a)(i) Explain the term malnutrition as used in animal production. (ii) State four effects of malnutrition on farm animals.
(b) Write short notes on the following methods of rangeland improvement: (i) rotational grazing; (ii) reseeding; (iii) controlled stocking.
(c) State four objectives of animal improvement programmes in West Africa.
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(a)(i) Malnutrition is a condition caused by feeding animals a diet lacking in, or with too much of, one or more nutrients (an unbalanced diet).
(ii) Any four: slow growth and low weight; deficiency diseases (rickets, anaemia); low production of eggs, milk, meat; poor reproduction/infertility; low resistance to disease; death.
(b)(i) Rotational grazing: the range is divided into paddocks grazed in turn, so each rests and regrows, preventing overgrazing.
(ii) Reseeding: sowing seeds of better grasses and legumes on bare or poor parts of the range to improve yield and quality.
(iii) Controlled stocking: keeping the right number of animals per area (carrying capacity) so the pasture is not overgrazed.
(c) Any four: increase meat, milk and egg yield; faster growth/early maturity; disease and pest resistance; adaptation to local climate/heat tolerance; better feed conversion; higher fertility and prolificacy; better quality products.
Each note in (b) should say what is done and how it helps the range.