Page 136 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Feeding livestock well prepared balanced rations
For livestock to grow, reproduce and produce well; they need, among major
requirements, to be fed rations which are well prepared and balanced in terms of
quality and quantity. Depending on nature of feed and type of livestock species,
various livestock feeds need some forms of preparation before they are fed to

animals. For example, feeds with anti-nutritional factors such as soya bean has to be
treated so as to denature the anti-nutritional factors. Similarly, livestock of different
species have different nutritional requirements as well as ability to utilise different
feedstuffs. All these forms of preparation have to be adhered to so as to attain good
livestock feeding practice.

Timing in feeding livestock
Regularity in feeding livestock is important where animals are not fed on ad libitum
basis. This is because the biological rhythm of animal can be adapted to their feeding
time. This biological rhythm is important for many physiological processes, and if
hindered, it can reduce the production efficiency of the animal. Therefore, feeding

times should be consistent every day. The number of times feed should be distributed
per day varies according to age of an animal.

Ad libitum provision of clean and safe water
Water for drinking should be of appropriate quality for the animals being produced.
Where there is reason to be concerned about contamination of animals from water,
measures should be taken to evaluate and minimise the hazards.

Pasture grazing
Grazing on pastures and crop lands should be managed in a way that minimises the

contamination of the pastures by biological, chemical and physical agents. Where
appropriate, an adequate period should be observed before allowing livestock to
graze on pasture, crops and crop residuals and between grazing rotations to minimise
biological cross-contamination. Where agricultural chemicals are used, operators
should ensure that the required withdrawal periods are observed.

Feeding
It is important that the correct feed is fed to the right animal group and that the
directions for use are followed. Contamination should be minimised during feeding.

Information should be available of what is fed to animals and when so as to ensure
that food safety risks are managed. Animals receiving medicated feed should be
identified and managed appropriately until the correct withdrawing period (if any)

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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 125 10/01/2025 12:31