Lesson 6 Animals

• Animal raising is a popular backyard business, as well as a means of livelihood of Filipino families. It is one of the most important industries in our country today.
• Animal raising


  Taking care of animals
• Why do people raise animals?

  • For work
  • For food
• Livestock are animals raised in the backyard for work or for food. These include chickens, ducks, quails, pigs, cattle and goat. These animals are raised depending on the kind of surrounding or environment.
• Livestock raising


  • It is a sure source of food and clothing
  • The meat and skin of these animals command higher prices in the market
  • The by-products of these animals are a good source of fertilizers
  • With the Filipinos' patience and perseverance, livestock raising remains a profitable and sustainable business enterprise
• The livestock industry in 2005 generated over P800 billion value of production. This staggering amount has created allied industries worth billions of pesos as well. These include, among others, feed milling, marketing and distribution, manufacture of veterinary drugs and supplies, fresh meat production, and a multitude of other foods, cosmetics and industrial products. These industries generate hundreds of thousands of jobs -- from the small backyard livestock farmers comprising the bulk of the raisers to the workers of the commercial livestock or poultry farms and in all the allied industries.
• Livestock play a vital role in the development and growth of our agricultural and rural economies. Not only do they produce food directly, they also provide key inputs to crop agriculture. Most farms are too small to justify owning or using a tractor, and the alternatives are animal power or human labor.
• For many smallholder farmers, livestock are the only ready source of cash to buy the inputs they need to increase their crop production, like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Livestock income also goes towards buying things the farmers cannot make for themselves.
• Income from cropping is highly seasonal, almost of it coming in just a few weeks after harvest. In contrast, small stock, with their high rates of reproduction and growth, can provide a regular source of income from sales. Larger animals, such as cattle, are a capital reserve, built up in good times to be used when crops are poor or when the family is facing large expenses, such as the cost of a wedding or a hospital bill.
• Factors to consider when selecting the types and breeds of farm animals

  • Climate and Environment
  • Purpose of Production
  • Market Demand
  • Resource Availability
  • Health and Disease Resistance
  • Management Requirements
  • Reproduction and Productivity
  • Genetic Diversity
  • Long-Term Goals