a) Define the term artificial pasture as used in animal production.
b) State six advantages of grass-legume mixtures in a pasture.
c) (i) Mention three management systems used in keeping small ruminants.
(ii) State three characteristics of each of the management systems mentioned in (c)(i).
Explanation
(a) Definition of artificial pasture;
This is an area of land covered with forage crops and established by man for feeding livestock/ruminants.
(b) Advantages of grass-legume mixture in pastures;
- Productivity is high/high yield
- Animals get balanced diet
- Reduces soil erosion
- Improves soil structure
- Mixture smother weeds/controls weeds
- Reduces leaching of nutrients
- Provides variety for animals
- Reduces evapotranspiration
- Improves feed intake/palatability/acceptability
- Extends the growing season of forages
- Legumes improve soil fertility/fixation of nitrogen to soils
(c)(i) Management systems for keeping small ruminants;
- Free range/extensive system
- Intensive system
- Semi intensive system
(ii) Characteristics of Management systems;
Extensive system
- Poor healthcare
- Uncontrolled breeding
- Low input/low performance
- Poor/no record keeping
- Animals could be injured/killed/stolen
- Low output/delayed growth
- Animals are not confined/no housing structure
- Animals are allowed to fend for themselves
- Animals are exposed to adverse environmental conditions
- Results in conflict between crop and livestock farmers
Intensive system
-
– Animals are confined
- Animals are adequately fed
- High input
- High output
- Proper record-keeping
- Controlled breeding
- Control of diseases
- Control of parasites/pests
- Control of predators
- Protection from unfavourable environmental conditions
Semi-intensive system
- Supplementary feeding is given
- Some healthcare is provided
- Animals are confined at night
- Moderate output
- Moderate input
- Difficult keeping records
- Animals can be injured/killed/stolen
- Housing is provided
- Animals have opportunity to roam about