UFUGAJI ENGLISH

It must be noted from the onset that responses of individual animal to certain climatic condition vary between individual animals of the same breed. Temperature All domestic animals are homeotherms or warm blooded. In other words, they maintain their body temperature within a range most suitable for optimal biological activity. The body temperature range is relatively constant and is higher than the environmental temperature. The ambient temperature on the other hand varies with changes in the climatic elements at a particular time. The animal body temperature ranges within certain limits defined as the ‘comfort zone’ is a temperature range within which no demands are made on the temperature regulating mechanism. For a typical tropical breed of cattle, the ‘comfort zone’ range from 10 to 27 while a tropical temperate cattle has between -1 and 16. If there is a change in ambient temperature beyond either the upper or lower limit, the body mechanism for regulating animal body temperature...

The tropical region lies between the latitudes (tropics) of Cancer and Capricorn in the north and south of the Equator. By its geographical location, the region is expected to be uniformly hot all year round, but this is not so. A number of environmental factors moderate the hotness of the region such that several micro-climates (mini pockets of climatic conditions) are created in certain places by factors such as distance away from the equator (the degree of latitude), altitude (height above sea level), soils and contours vegetation, ocean currents, wind, rainfall and distribution of land and water. Differences between one micro-climate and another are noticeable by variation in such climatic elements as temperature, rainfall and to a lesser extent, humidity are the climatic elements of greatest influences in moderating conditions in a microclimate. Similarly, they also cause major effects on animal physiology, behaviour and productivity through their individual or separate effects bu...

 in Nigeria Some strategies for purposeful development of the livestock industry in Nigeria are suggested as follows: (1) Change in value and attitude of livestock producers from the present consideration for number of stock as status symbol to more important objectives of higher productivity and socioeconomic benefits that are business oriented. (2) Careful selection of local breeding stock from breed and individual records. (3) National upgrading and breeding programmes involving exotic and local breeds, thereby mass producing the heterozygous offspring for production purposes. (4) Careful exploration of various farming systems to ensure availability of feedstuff throughout the year and intensification agricultural production system. (5) Feed quality improvement through deliberate supplementation and range exploitation to meet daily requirements for various nutrients. (6) Exploitation of the biological abilities of the stock to derive maximally from the available feedstuff. (7) E...

 A number of constraints confront the Nigerian livestock industry and impedes its growth and development. Some of the most limiting factors are listed and discussed as follow: (1) Nutrition and Feed Supplies : The provision of feed that is adequate both in quality and quantity and accessible to animals all year round is the most outstanding problem of livestock production in Nigeria. The natural range resources that form the primary source of nutrients have been observed to rapidly increase in nutritive value at the onset of rains and decline shortly thereafter. The state of poor nutritive feed quality often last longer during the year than the period of forage abundance and high nutritive quality. Supplementation with crop residues from cropped farmlands scarcely meets the requirements for animal growth. The unavailability of grazing feedstuff in the year round is aggravated by the widespread bushfire and imbalance between the stocking rate and carrying capacity of the range. T...

  The importance of animal production to the Nigerian economy derives largely from its provision of animal protein foodstuff, employment, industrial raw materials and foreign exchange earnings, and extends to several socio-cultural roles among different societies. The recognised role of animal production in the nutrition of Nigerians particularly as source of animal protein stems from the common knowledge that 35 per cent of the nation’s meat supply comes alone from sheep and goats not to mention supplies from cattle, swine and poultry. Failures to meet demand for the animal protein have resulted in continual importation of animal products with or without official permission. Optimum animal protein intake, without exaggeration, is required for optimum physical and mental development of every individual. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO, 1985) of the United Nations recommended a minimum of about 56g of protein intake per person per day to be consistent with good living. Ab...

 Animal production perhaps began about 10,000 years ago, when man started domesticating animals from the wild for his immediate and continual needs. Man’s efforts in this regard deviated from killing and destruction of animals especially for their products. In man’s renewed attitude, captured animals were tendered through proper feeding, breeding and application of other management practices, which have led to favourable adaptation and multiplication within the confine of human environment. As man further realised the potentials of farm animals as sources of food, fibre, and income, greater attention and efforts began to evolve to improve production and productivity. Outstanding performance of measurable and quality characteristics started to manifest for identification and consideration for possible multiplication through selection, breeding and upgrading. Since then new advances began to unfold especially in the Western countries. The advances brought alongside; provision of prop...

 Animal production is an aspect of agricultural production. Agriculture is simply defined as the art and science of crop, animal and fibre production for human consumption. As a branch of agriculture, animal production deals with production of domesticated animals other than pets and game animals. As a subject matter it has roots in the natural sciences not only by the application of basic principles of science but also in theoretical foundations. Thus, animal production relates in certain aspects to zoology, pathology, genetics, microbiology, botany, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, statistics, mathematical and pharmaceutical sciences. Since animal production forms a central theme in the provision of essential human needs, the evolution of its practices over time has benefited from skills and knowledge acquired through cultural and scientific techniques. Both traditional and scientific skills have served useful purposes in the development and advancement of animal production. Wh...