Livestock Production Masterclass

Introduction to livestock farming. Overview of the role of livestock in agriculture, economy, and food security.

Classification of livestock and their uses. Beef cattle, Dairy cattle, Poultry, Sheep, Goats, Piggery, Rabbits, Aquaculture and Fishery, Snailery, Cane rats, Bee-keeping.

Considerations for selecting livestock species based on climate, production goals, market demand, and suitability to the environment.

Discussion on specifically selecting livestock for your enterprise. Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Poultry, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Rabbits, Fishery, Snails, Cane rats. (Bees, honey, and beeswax production).

Livestock management systems in animal husbandry. Discussion will consider extensive livestock management, semi-intensive livestock management, intensive livestock management, specialized livestock management, smallholder and backyard systems, rotational grazing systems, zero-grazing systems, sustainable and alternative systems, aquaculture and integrated systems, and intensive pasture systems.

Livestock management: overview of animal care, feeding, breeding, and health management practices.

Animal behavior and handling. Basics of livestock behavior and stress management.

Safe handling practices. Techniques for safely handling and managing livestock to ensure safety for both animals and the handlers.

Nutrition and feed management for livestock. Understanding the dietary needs of different livestock species and life stages.

Feed types and formulation. Types of feed namely forage, concentrates, supplements. Principles of balanced diet formulation.

Animal health management and disease prevention. Strategies for preventing common livestock diseases including vaccination and biosecurity measures.

Disease diagnosis and treatment. Identification of symptoms and appropriate treatment protocols for common livestock illnesses and diseases.

Housing infrastructure and animal welfare practices. Importance of proper housing and infrastructure for livestock welfare and productivity.

Animal housing systems. Design and management of housing facilities to ensure comfort, health, and productivity. Best practices for ensuring animal welfare, including space requirements, ventilation, and bedding.

Breeding and Reproduction Techniques. Methods of breeding namely natural, or artificial insemination and genetic improvement strategies.

Reproduction and calving/kidding/farrowing/incubation and hatching/fish hatchery management. Reproductive physiology. Understanding the reproductive cycles and behaviours of different livestock species.

Parturition management. Best practices for managing birthing processes and neonatal care.

Pasture and grazing management. Pasture establishment and maintenance techniques for establishing and maintaining productive pastures.

Grazing systems. Different grazing methods viz rotational, continuous, strip grazing and their benefits.

Sustainable livestock practices. Managing livestock production to minimize environmental impacts. Including waste management and pasture conservation. Principles and benefits of organic and free range livestock production.

Importance of record-keeping and farm management. Keeping accurate records for health, production, and financial management.

Value addition for livestock products.

Marketing livestock products. Strategies for marketing livestock products, including meat, milk, eggs, manure, feathers, hides, skins, bones, blood, etc.

Successful livestock production models. Examples of successful livestock management practices and production systems from different places.

Feedback collection for improvement of future seminars.

Q&A Session.