Introductory Livestock Management

Introduction: Livestock production systems in Eastern Africa, contribution of livestock industry to the economy; Principles of sustainable livestock management (feeds/feeding, breeds/breeding, animal health and livestock economics); Livestock facilities – housing / farm structures and handling facilities. General livestock routine management procedures: Livestock identification; Livestock records and records keeping; Ageing livestock; Weight determination; Control of parasites – Dipping, sprays, fences foot bath and foot rot treatment e.t.c.; Procedures with diseased or dead animals; Foreign bodies in the digestive tract (Hardware disease); Bloat; Gestation lengths. Dairy cattle management: importance of dairy farming; calf management; heifer management and cow / milk management. Beef cattle management. Range management. Pig management. Sheep and goat management. Rabbit management. Management of traction animals.  Artificial insemination. Hides and skins.