Page 212 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

produce good-quality meat. Therefore, feeding must always match the specific
needs of the animal for better health and performance.

Activity 10.4

1. Visit the school beef cattle farm and at least one other nearby beef cattle farm
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
or a village where people keep beef cattle. Then do the following:
(a) Find out which grazing system is used on each farm. List the advantages
and disadvantages of using that system.
(b) Identify the main feeds given to the cattle. Comment on whether these
feeds are suitable for the specific animals.
2. Use the school library, the internet or ask livestock extension workers/
experienced cattle farmers to find out how to make supplementary feed for
growing beef cattle. Use feed ingredients that are available in your area. Then,
make a sample of supplementary feed.

3. Write down what you have found, including the lessons you have learnt.

Exercise 10.3
1. What can a farmer do when natural pasture becomes dry and low in nutrients
to keep beef cattle healthy and growing well?

2. How does the feeding regime differ between cattle raised in a feedlot and
those that graze part of the day? Give reasons for your answer.

3. Why are cattle able to digest fibrous feeds such as grass and hay better than
non-ruminant animals like pigs and poultry?

4. What problems may arise if a farmer feeds beef cattle only dry crop remains
during the dry season? What can be done to improve such a feeding practice?
5. What type of feed should be given to a beef animal that is sick or recovering
from illness, and why?

Health management in beef cattle
Keeping beef cattle healthy is important for good meat production. Healthy
animals grow well, cost less to manage, and do not become susceptible to diseases.
Sick animals grow slowly and may die. Poor health also lowers the quality of
meat and can be dangerous to people and other animals. Health management
helps to prevent poor health and reduce losses.

Student’s Book Form Three 203

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AGRICULTURE F3.indd 203