Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Cauayan City Campus
Cauayan City, Isabela
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

EED SPEC 313

EDUKASYONG PANTAHANAN AT PANGKABUHAYAN 2

Chapter 2:
TEACHING AND LEARNING AGRI-FISHERY ARTS

Livestock Production

Prepared by:

Abad, Mary Claire D.

Bernardino, Ailyn
Rinion, Shilla May
Santiago, Angela
Severo, Hazel Ann Y.
 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
Introduction

Livestock production is the science and practice of

raising farm animals for food, income, and other useful
products. It involves proper care, feeding, housing, health
management, and ethical treatment of animals. This module
will help you learn the basic concepts, tools, and skills in
livestock production while developing responsibility,
discipline, and appreciation for animal welfare and
sustainable farming practices.

Pre-Assessment (What I Know)

DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE OF LIVESTOCK IN DAILY
LIFE

Livestock are domesticated animals raised on farms for

labor and products like meat, milk, eggs, wool, and leather,
crucial for food security, economic stability, and rural
livelihoods, acting as assets for families and contributing to
agricultural systems by providing sustenance, income, and
even ecological benefits like soil health through proper
management.

Importance

Economic Livelihoods: Livestock provide a primary source

of income and employment for millions globally, serving as
vital financial assets, especially in developing countries.
Food Security: They are a major source of protein and
essential nutrients (meat, milk, eggs) for billions, improving
nutrition and food access.

Agricultural Resources: Beyond products, they provide

power for farming tasks (traction) and their manure enriches
soil, creating closed-loop systems and reducing reliance on
synthetic inputs.
Social & Cultural Value: Livestock play a role in cultural
heritage, support rural communities, and can act as a safety
net during economic hardships, offering resilience.

Ecological Roles: When managed regeneratively, grazing

animals can improve biodiversity, soil structure, and water
infiltration, turning plant matter into valuable products.
 Types of Livestock

1. POULTRY

Poultry refers to domesticated birds raised for meat,

eggs, or feathers, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese,
guinea fowl, and pigeons.

Poultry Animals

2. SWINE

Swine, also known as pigs, hogs, or swine, are

domesticated omnivorous mammals raised globally for meat
(pork), leather, and fertilizer, with key terms including boar
(intact male), sow (mature female), gilt (young female not yet
farrowed), and barrow (castrated male). They are important
livestock, with production varying from small backyard farms
to large commercial operations, focusing on genetic
selection, health, and efficient feeding for high-quality meat.

3. CATTLE
 Cattle are large, domesticated bovine livestock raised
globally for meat (beef), milk, hides (leather), and labor (draft
power). The term includes cows (females), bulls (males),
heifers (young females), and oxen/steers (castrated males),
belonging to species like Bos taurus (European) and Bos
indicus (Zebu). As a major part of farming, they convert
plants into protein, play roles in nutrient cycling, and are
diverse in breeds for different purposes like dairy or beef.
4. GOAT
 Goats are versatile, adaptable ruminant livestock raised
globally for milk, meat, hide, and fiber (like
cashmere/mohair), known as "poor man's cows" for their
hardiness and diverse diet, thriving in varied climates where
cattle struggle, and are among the first domesticated
animals, valued for providing sustenance and income,
especially for smallholder farmers. Key aspects include their
browsing nature, ability to utilize diverse vegetation, distinct
breeds for different purposes (e.g., Saanen for milk, Boer for
meat, Angora for fiber), and manageable size for small farms.

5. SHEEP
 Sheep (Ovis aries) are domesticated, ruminant mammals
widely raised as livestock globally for their wool, meat
(lamb/mutton), and milk, valued for thousands of years for
agricultural products like clothing, food, and hides, and are
known for flocking behavior and grazing habits. They are
even-toed ungulates, similar to goats, with females called
ewes, males rams, and young lambs, and are one of the
earliest domesticated animals, descended from wild mouflon.

COMMON FARM ANIMALS

Chicken

Characteristics: Small, feathered, warm-blooded, and

prolific egg-layers (up to 300+ annually). They are omnivores
that forage for insects, worms, and seeds.

Uses: Primary source of meat (broilers) and eggs (layers).

Their manure is a rich fertilizer ("black gold") high in nitrogen.
They are also used for pest control in gardens.

Duck

Characteristics: Waterfowl with waterproof feathers and

webbed feet. Known for being
hardy, simple to raise, and
prolific egg layers (e.g.,
Khaki Campbell).
Uses: Highly valued for eggs, meat, and feathers/down. They
help control pests like slugs and snails in gardens.

Pig

Characteristics: Fast-growing, non-ruminant, omnivorous,

and highly efficient at converting feed into meat. They have a
high economic value.

Uses: Primarily for meat (pork, bacon, ham) and lard. They
are efficient at processing farm waste.

Cow

Characteristics: Large, four-legged, ruminant mammals

(have a four-compartment stomach to digest grass). They are
generally docile.

Uses: Primarily raised for dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt), beef,

and leather. In many areas, they are used as draught animals
to plow fields.

Carabao

Characteristics: Heavy-bodied, swamp-dwelling, and

resilient animals, often with large, crescent-shaped horns.
They are well-adapted to hot, wet climates.

Uses: Known as the "partner of the farmer" in the Philippines

for plowing rice fields and pulling carts. They provide milk,
meat, and hides.

Goat

Characteristics: Small to medium-sized, agile, ruminant

animals known for being hardy and able to thrive in harsh
conditions or steep terrain. They are browsers, not grazers,
often eating shrubs and weeds.

Uses: Raised for milk, meat, and skin/leather. They are

sometimes used to help clear weeds.

Sheep

Characteristics: Medium-sized ruminants with thick, warm,

woolly coats. They tend to be timid and often give birth to
twins.

Uses: Primarily for wool (fleece) and meat (mutton/lamb).

Horse

Characteristics: Large, strong, and intelligent animals with

high stamina. They have a single-chambered stomach (non-
ruminant).

Uses: Used for transportation, riding, and farming activities

(pulling loads/plows).
 FEEDS AND FEEDING PRACTICES

Feeds
Feeds are any substances that is given to animals for
nourishment. It can be plants, grains, or processed materials.
Feeds have an important role in the health, growth, and
productivity of animals as it provides proteins, carbohydrates,
vitamins, minerals, and fats.

Kinds of feeds
Knowing the different types of common livestock feeds and
their nutritional value is important in successful animal
agriculture. Animal feeds have several types, including:
 Roughages (Forages)
These feeds contain high levels of fiber that is essential for
digestions especially ruminants. Most common roughages
feeds are:

 Green Roughages - provide livestock with fresh,

succulent nutrition that closely mimics their natural
feeding patterns. These feeds are typically high in
moisture content and provide excellent sources of

vitamins, minerals, and easily digestible nutrients.

 Dry Roughages - Dry roughages solve the seasonal
availability problem that challenges livestock producers
worldwide. By preserving forages through various
methods, farmers can maintain consistent nutrition
 throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions or
growing seasons.

 Concentrates
Concentrates feeds contains basic nutrients that is required
for animal production, including energy, protein, and vitamins
and minerals. Concentrates foods are low-fiber compared to
forages. There are three types of concentrates these are:
 Energy Concentrates – feeds that are high in
carbohydrates and fats that provide energy for
maintenance, growth, and milk production. Examples of
this are corn, barley, and wheat.

 Protein Concentrates – feeds that are high in protein

and are used to support the nutritional needs especially
those young or growing animals. Examples of this are
oilseed meals, animal protein sources, and legume
seeds.

 Supplements
Supplement feeds are ingredients being added to the
basic diet of livestock to ensure that they receive proper
nutrient for optimal growth, reproduction, and overall health.
Some of these supplements are protein, vitamins, minerals,
and energy sources that may be lacking in the primary feed.
 Feeding Practices

Proper feeding practices are essential for the health, pro

ductivity, and overall well-being of livestock. Proper feeding is
essential in livestock production because it supports healthy
growth, reproduction, and high productivity. Effective feeding
practices help reduce disease, improve performance, and
increase farmers’ profits.

1. Proper feeding schedule

 A proper feeding schedule means feeding animals at the
right time, in the right amount, and consistently every day. A
feeding schedule is more than just a timetable for meals it
represents a strategic plan to optimize nutrition
management. Consistent feeding times help:
 Promote digestive health - Regular meal times aid in
maintaining proper rumen function in ruminants and
prevent digestive disturbances.
 Improve feed efficiency - Animals convert feed into body
mass or products like milk and eggs more efficiently when
fed consistently.
 Reduce stress - Predictable feeding routines reduce
anxiety and aggressive behaviors among animals.
 Manage resources - Planned feeding helps in budgeting
feed costs and reducing waste.

2. Proper feeding care

Proper feeding care means giving animals the right food in
a clean and safe way. It helps animals grow well, stay
healthy, and produce more milk, meat, or eggs. Good feeding
care is important for successful livestock production.
Proper feeding care includes:
 Balance Nutrition – to ensure a balance diet that
contains the right mix of energy, protein, vitamins,
minerals, and water.
 Feed Classification – understanding different types of
feeds to know what feeds are appropriate for livestock
type and nutrients.
 Clean and Safe Feed – store in a dry, cool, and clean
place to protect feed from moisture, insects and molds.
 Feeding Strategy – implement feeding strategies that
optimize feed conversion efficiency, reduce feed
 wastage, and ensure all animals receive proper
nutrients.
 Monitoring and Adjustment – regularly monitor the
quality and quantity of feed consumed by livestock and
adjust amount based on growth, production, and health
condition.

Animal Health and Care

Animal health and care in livestock production involve all

practices used to keep farm animals healthy, comfortable,
and productive. Healthy animals grow faster, reproduce
better, and produce more milk, meat, eggs, and wool, while
also reducing the risk of diseases spreading to humans.
Proper animal health and care include good feeding,
clean housing, disease prevention and treatment, gentle
handling, and regular monitoring. Without these, animals
become sick and unproductive, leading to economic losses.
Therefore, animal health and care are essential for successful
and sustainable livestock farming.

Common Disease and Prevention

In livestock production, keeping animals healthy is very

important because raising animals for meat, milk, eggs, and
other products. Healthy animals are essential for good
production. Diseases in livestock can reduce growth,
productivity, and even cause death.
 Cattle
 Foot-and-mouth disease - produces calves and
mouth blisters.
 Mastitis - Infection of the udder affecting milk
production.
 Pigs
 African Swine fever (ASF) – causes high fever
and sudden death.

 H
o
g

Cholera – causes vomiting, diarrhea, and

weakness.
 Poultry
 Newcastle Disease – causes respiratory problems
and drop in egg production
  Avian Influenza - causes coughing, sneezing, and
sudden death

 All Livestock
 Parasites – it affects the growth and health of a
livestock

Diarrhea – often caused by poor hygiene or infections

 Preventing diseases in livestock is far more effective and
less costly than treating sick animals. Healthy animals grow
better, produce more, and reduce losses on the farm.
Farmers should do:
 Vaccinate animals regularly - ensures that animals
develop immunity and reduces the risk of outbreaks on
the farm.

 Deworm and control parasites - deworm animals

regularly and apply appropriate tick or insect control
measures to maintain animal health.
 Provide clean water and balanced feed - providing
fresh, clean water at all times is essential for proper
digestion, hydration, and overall health.
 Keep animals in clean, dry, and well-ventilated
housing – housing should be clean, dry, and free from
moisture to prevent bacterial and fungal infections.

 Isolate sick animals to prevent spread - prevent the

spread of contagious diseases and allows the farmer to
 provide proper treatment without affecting the rest of
the herd or flock.
 Avoid overcrowding - Providing adequate space for
each animal promotes comfort, natural movement, and
reduces the risk of illness.

Basic Sanitation and Biosecurity

Sanitation and biosecurity are very important in

livestock production. They help prevent diseases, keep
animals healthy, and improve farm productivity. Clean and
safe practices reduce the risk of infections spreading among
animals and protect humans from zoonotic diseases.

Sanitation involves keeping the farm and animals clean. It

involves:
 Cleaning Animal Houses - Remove manure, leftover
feed, and dirt daily.
 Proper Waste Disposal - Dispose of manure and
animal waste safely, away from water sources.

 Clean Water and Feed - Reduces the risk of digestive

problems, diarrhea, and disease outbreaks
  Hygienic Handling - Wash hands and tools after
handling animals.

Biosecurity is a set of measures to prevent diseases from

entering or spreading on the farm. It includes:
  Control Farm Access - Limit visitors from entering the
farm to prevent bringing in diseases.
 Quarantine New Animals – Keep new animals
separate for 2–3 weeks to make sure they are healthy
before joining the main herd or flock.
 Protective Clothing – Wear farm-specific clothes,
boots, and gloves when working with animals to avoid
spreading germs.
 Disinfection – Clean and disinfect tools, equipment,
feeders, waterers, and vehicles regularly to kill harmful
germs.
 Disease Monitoring – Check animals every day for
signs of sickness. Separate sick animals immediately to
prevent disease from spreading.
Breeding and Reproduction

Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals with a
homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other
characteristics that distinguish it from other animals within a
species.
Reproduction
Reproduction in livestock is a critical, sexually driven
process for producing offspring, directly impacting farm
profitability, sustainability, and genetic improvement. It
involves managing the estrous cycle, selecting superior
breeding stock, and utilizing natural mating or artificial
insemination for optimal conception rates. Key factors for
success include proper nutrition, health management, and,
for cattle, a 21-day average estrous cycle with a gestation
period of roughly 9 months.
Livestock Breeding

Production of better offspring by mating and is the

improvement or development of breeds of livestock, as by
selective mating and hybridization. Livestock breeding
includes:

Types of Livestock Breeding

A. Ruminant Animals

Ruminant animals are a specialized group of hoofed

herbivores that extract nutrients from plant-based food by
fermenting it in a complex, multi-compartment stomach
before final digestion. This unique biological process, known
as rumination, involves regurgitating partially digested food
—called "cud"—and chewing it again to break down tough
plant fibers like cellulose.

 Cattle breeding
(dairy husbandry, dairy and beef cattle husbandry, beef
cattle husbandry)
 Sheep breeding
 Goat breeding
  Buffalo breeding
 Horse, ass, donkey, and mule breeding
 Camel breeding
 Rabbit breeding
 Dog breeding

B. Non-Ruminant Animals

Non-ruminant animals, also known

as monogastrics, possess a simple, single-compartment
stomach that relies on self-produced enzymes for digestion.
Unlike ruminants, they do not chew cud or have a multi-
chambered fermentation vat for breaking down tough plant
fibers.

 Poultry, quail, turkey, ostrich breeding

 Swine breeding
 Fish breeding (carp, pangasius, trout, etc.)
 Apiculture
 Wild animal breeding (deer, tiger, elephant)

Animal Breeding

Animal breeding is a branch of animal science that deals

with evaluating the genetic value of livestock and birds to
produce better offspring.

The scientific theory of animal breeding uses:

 Population genetics
 Quantitative genetics
 Statistics
 Molecular genomics
This field is based on the works of Sewall Wright, Jay Lush,
and Charles Henderson.

Selecting animals
with superior Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) in growth
rate, egg, meat, milk, or wool production has greatly
improved livestock production worldwide.

What is a Breeding System?

Breeding systems are management practices used to

ensure that desirable traits are passed from parents to
offspring.
 SIMPLE BREEDING CONCEPTS

History of Breeding Systems

Before Domestication

 Random mating (panmixia)-is a breeding system

where any individual in a population has an equal
chance of mating with any other individual of the
opposite sex, regardless of genotype or phenotype. It
promotes genetic diversity, prevents specific traits from
becoming dominant, and is a key condition for the
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

 Natural selection- Natural selection involves

environmental pressures (e.g., predation, climate)
favoring advantageous, inherited traits for survival and
 reproduction. Conversely, breeding uses human
intervention to select specific, desirable traits in plants
or animals.

After Domestication

 Controlled mating- or controlled breeding, is a

selective technique where producers dictate which male
and female animals reproduce, typically confining
breeding to a specific, short season. This method
maximizes genetic gain, improves herd uniformity,
facilitates easier management, and aligns calving with
optimal pasture availability.

 Artificial selection- is the intentional breeding of

plants and animals by humans to promote desirable
traits, such as higher agricultural yields, specific
aesthetic features in pets, or increased meat production.
By selecting individuals with preferred characteristics to
reproduce, humans accelerate evolutionary changes, a
process that has created diverse crops (e.g., broccoli
from wild mustard) and dog breeds over generations.
Before Mendel’s Discovery

 Selection based on appearance (phenotype)- is a

process where individuals with specific observable traits
(morphology, behavior, or physiological characteristics)
are favored for survival and reproduction. This process is
the driving mechanism of evolution, as it allows
organisms best adapted to their environment to pass on
their genetic material.
 No genetic basis- Breeding without a direct,
premeditated genetic basis—or using methods that do
not rely on traditional Mendelian genetic analysis—
includes approaches like phenotypic selection (mass
selection), non-genetic inheritance (epigenetics), cloning
(asexual reproduction), and "Breeding without Breeding"
(BwB).
 Focused on groups that later became breeds

After Mendel’s Discovery

 Use of genetics and statistics- The integration of

genetics and statistics in breeding, often referred to
as statistical genetics or quantitative genetics,
is essential for modern agriculture to enhance traits like
yield, disease resistance, and quality. This
interdisciplinary approach allows breeders to maximize
genetic gain—the rate at which a population improves—
by identifying superior individuals using molecular data
and mathematical models rather than relying solely on
visual appraisal.
  Quantitative genetics- applies statistical models to,
and calculates, genetic parameters—such as heritability
(\(h^{2}\)), genetic variance, and correlation—to predict
the breeding value of individuals for, primarily, polygenic
traits like yield or growth rate. It facilitates selection of
superior parents, optimizing genetic improvement in
plant and animal populations.
 Cytogenetics- a branch of genetics and cell biology
that studies the structure, function, and behavior of
chromosomes within a cell nucleus. By examining
chromosomes through techniques like karyotyping and
FISH, it detects numerical or structural abnormalities
(such as missing, rearranged, or extra chromosomes)
crucial for diagnosing genetic disorders, cancers, and
prenatal conditions.
 Reproductive physiology- focuses on managing
hormonal cycles (estrogen, progesterone, GnRH),
gamete production, and fertilization to optimize livestock
fertility and genetic gain. Key components include
tracking puberty/estrus, implementing technologies like
artificial insemination and embryo transfer, and
managing gestation lengths (e.g., 9 months for cattle, 11
for horses).
 Population genetics- analyzes genetic variation, allele
frequencies, and trait distribution within populations to
improve desired traits. It utilizes principles like selection,
migration, and genetic drift to alter population structures
for better performance. Key techniques include
managing Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, controlling
inbreeding, and using molecular markers to optimize
selection, aiming to increase the frequency of desirable
alleles over generations.

21st Century
  Use of computers and specialized breeding
software- The use of computers and specialized
breeding software has transformed agricultural, animal,
and plant breeding into a data-driven, precise, and
accelerated process. Modern breeding programs rely on
these tools to manage, analyze, and interpret large-scale
phenotypic and genotypic data, allowing for increased
genetic gain and the development of superior
varieties/breeds.
 Molecular, genomic, and gene-level selection-
are transforming plant and animal breeding by shifting
focus from solely observing physical traits (phenotypes)
to analyzing genetic information (genotypes). These
methods accelerate genetic gain, reduce breeding cycle
times, and improve the precision of selecting complex
traits such as yield, disease resistance, and abiotic
stress tolerance.


Factors to Consider When Selecting a Breeding System

 Climate (temperate, subtropical, tropical)

 Type of market (local, regional, national, international)
 Knowledge of genetics (progeny testing, performance
testing)
 Size of operation (large herds supported by software)
 Available resources (geneticists, breeders, finances)
 Breeder’s goals
o Milk production
o Meat production
o Lean pork
o Wool production
o Egg production

Principles of Animal Breeding

 1. Selection – choosing the best animals to become
parents
2. Mating System – deciding how selected animals will be
paired

Genetic improvement involves:

 Selection within breeds

 Selection among breeds
 Mating within breeds
 Mating between different breeds

Livestock Breeding Tools

 Selection – choosing animals allowed to reproduce

 Mating – deciding how selected animals are paired to
improve performance

Livestock Breed

A breed is a group of animals within a species that share

common physical characteristics such as coat color and horn
shape.
Breeds develop through:

 Physical isolation
 Selection
 Crossing of older breeds

Breeding Systems Used by Animal Breeders

Two Types of Stock

 Purebred – animals with recorded ancestry

 Commercial – usually crossbred animals

Common Breeding / Mating Systems

I. Pure Breeding

 Mating animals of the same breed

 Includes: purebred, inbreeding, line breeding,
outcrossing
 Characteristics:
o Eligible for breed registry
o Homozygous traits
o Specialized production

II. Crossbreeding

 Mating animals of different breeds

 Types:
o Two-breed cross
o Three-breed cross
o Rotational crossbreeding

REFERENCES