(a)(i) Explain the term malnutrition as used in animal production (2 marks) (ii) State four effects of malnutrition on farm animals. (4 marks) (b) Write sho...

(a)(i) Malnutrition in animal production [2 marks]

Malnutrition is a condition in which an animal is poorly nourished because its diet is unbalanced, that is, it lacks or has too little (or an excess) of one or more essential nutrients such as proteins, minerals, vitamins or energy.

(a)(ii) Four effects of malnutrition on farm animals [4 marks]

• Stunted (retarded) growth and loss of body weight.
• Low productivity, that is, poor milk, egg or meat yield.
• Reduced fertility and poor reproductive performance.
• Lowered resistance to diseases, leading to easy infection and sometimes death.

(b) Methods of rangeland improvement [6 marks]

• (i) Rotational grazing: The range is divided into paddocks and the animals are moved from one paddock to another in turn, so that grazed portions are rested and allowed to regrow; this prevents overgrazing and gives even utilisation of the pasture.
• (ii) Reseeding: Improved and more nutritious grass and legume seeds are sown to replace poor or worn-out species, thereby raising the quality and quantity of forage on the range.
• (iii) Controlled stocking: The number of animals kept on the land is matched to its carrying capacity so that the pasture is neither overgrazed nor undergrazed, keeping the range productive.

(c) Four objectives of animal improvement programmes in West Africa [4 marks]

• To develop breeds that grow faster and give higher meat, milk or egg yield.
• To breed animals that are resistant to diseases and parasites.
• To produce animals well adapted to the tropical (hot) climate and local feeds.
• To improve fertility/prolificacy and the overall quality of the national herd.