Discuss anthrax disease under the following headings (i) causal organism (ii) mode of transmission (iii) two symptoms (iv) two prevention and control measur...

Answer Details

(a) Anthrax disease:

• (i) Causal organism: A bacterium, Bacillus anthracis.
• (ii) Mode of transmission: By ingestion of feed, water or pasture contaminated with the spores; through contact with infected animals, their carcasses or products; and through wounds and biting insects.
• (iii) Two symptoms:
  • Sudden death, often with high fever before death.
  • Discharge of dark, tarry, unclotted blood from natural body openings (nose, mouth, anus) and swellings on the body.
• (iv) Two prevention and control measures:
  • Vaccinate healthy animals regularly against anthrax.
  • Burn or bury deeply (with quicklime) the carcasses of infected animals; never open them, and isolate/quarantine affected herds.

(b)(i) Four sources of plant protein in livestock feeds:

• Groundnut cake
• Soya bean meal
• Palm kernel cake
• Cottonseed cake (or brewer's dried grain)

(b)(ii) Three examples of forage legumes in West African rangelands:

• Centrosema (Centrosema pubescens)
• Stylosanthes (Stylosanthes gracilis)
• Pueraria (Pueraria phaseoloides)

(c) Five characteristics of labour as a factor of agricultural production:

• Labour is human effort (physical and mental) used in production.
• Labour cannot be separated from the labourer.
• Labour is perishable; time lost when a worker is idle cannot be recovered.
• Labour is mobile; it can move from one place or job to another.
• Labour has feelings and needs rewards (wages), rest and good treatment to work well; its supply and efficiency vary.