Overview of the Contributions of Animal Science to Agricultural Development
Animal Science has contributed immensely to agricultural development, serving as a crucial avenue for the domestication and production of livestock or farm animals for the importance of man and national agricultural growth.
The livestock industries provide different types of farm animals for food and industrial purposes, which include cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, goats, pigs (swine), fish, and aquaculture animals, bees, snails, and other farm animals that also serve as man’s companionship, recreation, and other economic purposes.
The contributions of animal science or husbandry to agricultural development have also been concerned with the production of animal products such as milks, meat, eggs, and other animal by-products that have become components of the global food production system, helping to meet the needs of the ever-increasing world population.
With an increasing demand for animal by-products and changing dietary needs, the livestock industries play crucial roles in driving the agricultural sector with better quality of farm animal products and industries growth. Efficient animal production, processing, and distribution to ensure the availability of better food products such as meat and dairy, while also supporting animals’ health, welfare, and sustainable management
Agricultural development across the globe will not be possible without the contributions of animal science, which provides food security, economic value, and social benefits through livestock production, animal products, and related industries.
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Contributions of Animal Science to Agricultural development
Some of the Contributions of Animal Science to Agricultural development are :
Effective Livestock Management
Animal scientists have developed and provided effective management practices to guide the production of farm animals at various levels. These include nutritional and management practices that are essential for animals’ health and well-being, while also promoting better productivity and a more efficient production system.
Through effective livestock management, animal science has significantly contributed to the advancement of agricultural development. This is also achieved by improving livestock production systems through proper management of livestock, control of infectious diseases, proper nutrition care, and provision of a central facility for disease prevention and control of infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Effective guidelines for good environmental sanitation criteria have also been provided to help reduce the influence of animal diseases that can impair the productivity of farm animals. Farm management practices are crucial to preventing microbes or mitigating circumstances that expose farm animals to disease attacks.
Animal scientists have also implemented multifaceted management strategies aimed at maintaining farm animal health and enhancing the overall productivity of farm animals.
Better Animal Productivity
Animal productivity includes improved production of eggs, meat, milk, and other farm animals’ by-products. It also include enhancing animal health, nutrition, and other management practices that aid good efficiency in output. Animal scientists have designed numerous strategies to achieve productivity.
They have provided farmers with guidelines that will serve as tips for increasing productivity, good environmental management, economic growth, and social impacts in sustainable animal production.
These guidelines include removing non-performing farm animals from the flock, and replacing them with performing ones, implementing biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks, and providing good nutritional measures through adequate feeds, vaccines, and medicines to enhance production.
Better Feeds for Growth and Productivity
One of the major contributions of animal scientists is the production of high quantities and quality feeds that are highly nourishing to ensure optimal growth and productivity.
These feeds are designed to: supply adequate energy nutrients for efficient meat, egg, milk, and egg production, convert feed more efficiently into muscle, organs, skin, and egg, and contain essential minerals and vitamins to improve carcass quality, stimulate appetite, control harmful bacteria, prevent disease, and improve productivity.
Development of New Breads
Animal scientists have developed better breeds of farm animals with desirable qualities’ or characteristics, or traits that are better desires to the local or traditional species.
They have developed different methods of breeding farm animals, like selection, introduction, breeding, and artificial insemination, to improve the genetic characteristics of animals.
They have developed farm animals with overall performances in harsh environments, better nutritional value, the ability to resist parasites and diseases, reach market sizes within a limited time, and better carcasses.
These innovations ensure healthy and diverse quality breeds of animals, which are tasty to satisfy consumer demand.
Meat and Egg Production
The animal industry has contributed immensely to the global supply of high quality meat and egg, which are essential sources of human nutrition.
The egg and meat production sector has become a major player in the world’s livestock industry. These animal sectors have increased remarkably in the production systems and have grown significantly in the last few decades.
The adoption of better equipment, such as drinker, feeders, cage, and transport system accounts for the large global production of eggs and meat in the livestock sector.
The Contributions of animal science have led to the development of improve systems for moving and keeping meat and egg, and all the facilities required for better egg and meat production.
These innovations have led to a steady production of these essential food products, thereby ensuring food security and income generation for millions of farmers worldwide.
Provision Professionals for the Industry.
The livestock sector has contributed to agricultural development by producing skilled personnel in various areas of specialization in animal science, such as
Animal breeder: these are professional responsible for the production and breeding of farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, swine, and poultry for industries.
Animal nutritionist: These are professionals saddled with the responsibility of producing and formulating good-quality feeds for the growth and productivity of farm animals.
Veterinary doctors: These are experts in the livestock sector responsible for the control of animal health and disease and helping to ensure the sustainability of farm animals.
Marketers: These are individuals responsible for processing, distribution, and marketing various animal products in the agro-allied industries.
The industry has produced individuals who have acquired knowledge, skills, and competencies in animal nutrition, genetics, behavior, and physiology.
Universities and other agro-institutions have contributed to agricultural development in producing professionals who will pursue careers in genetics, physiology, behavior, and animal husbandry, and equipping them with the necessary skills and competencies to survive in the ever changing agricultural industries.
Researcher in Animal Science
Research is another contribution of animal science to agricultural development, universities, agencies, and private bodies are carrying out research in order to improve the quality and performance of farm animals, develop innovations to solve livestock-related problems.
Animal scientists are training researchers, graduates, and post-graduate students who will advance knowledge in animal science, including animal production, breeding, nutrition, and health. They have also conducted research to improve the quality of farm animals.
In conclusion
Animal science has contributed immensely to agricultural development by offering training and retraining of individuals for the animal sector, helping to conduct research, and providing improved feed for the Growth and Productivity of livestock.