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Describe three ways by which the health of a calf is influenced by its intake of colostrum after birth - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2006
Question a
Describe three ways by which the health of a calf is influenced by its intake of colostrum after birth. Describe two environmental factors that need to be considere... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe three ways by which the health of a calf is influenced by its intake of colostrum after birth - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2006
Step 1
Describe three ways by which the health of a calf is influenced by its intake of colostrum after birth.
Answer
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Antibodies: Colostrum contains a high concentration of antibodies that provide passive immunity to the calf, protecting it from infections.
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Nutrients: The rich nutritional content, including proteins, fats, and vitamins, supports the calf's growth and development during its early life.
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Laxative Effect: Colostrum stimulates gut movement, helping the calf pass meconium, which is essential to prevent intestinal blockages.
Step 2
Describe two environmental factors that need to be considered when housing farm animals.
Answer
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Adequate Space and Ventilation: Proper spacing is crucial to prevent stress and the spread of diseases. Good ventilation ensures fresh air circulation, reducing respiratory problems.
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Waste Management: Efficient waste disposal systems are necessary to maintain hygiene, preventing bacterial growth and ensuring the well-being of the animals.
Step 3
In animal production there are target weights that must be achieved. In the case of replacement heifers give three reasons for reaching these targets.
Answer
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Ensure Mating and Calving: Achieving the target weight ensures that heifers are ready for mating, leading to successful breeding and calving at the appropriate age.
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Maximize Milk Production Potential: Heifers that reach the target weight early can establish themselves as productive dairy animals, leading to higher milk yields.
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Financial Viability: Meeting weight targets helps reduce feed costs over time and maximizes the overall productivity of the farm.
Step 4
Explain the technique known as "flushing", which is used in sheep production.
Answer
Flushing involves feeding ewes a high-nutritional diet prior to breeding to enhance their body condition. This increase in nutrition helps stimulate ovulation and improves the chances of multiple births, thereby increasing overall productivity.
Step 5
Explain the advantages of each of the following in the management of a flock of sheep: 1. Syncronised breeding 2. Breeding out of season.
Answer
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Syncronised Breeding: This method facilitates more efficient management of lambing, allowing for better planning of resources and labor while maximizing the number of lambs produced in a shorter timeframe.
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Breeding Out of Season: This allows farmers to target specific market demands, potentially fetching higher prices for lambs at optimal times, thus increasing profitability.
Step 6
Describe the feeding of ewes during the final 6-8 weeks of pregnancy and give reasons for the changes in feeding regime.
Answer
During the final 6-8 weeks, ewes should be fed a gradually increasing diet of concentrates to support the growth of the developing lambs. This stage is crucial as the majority of fetal growth occurs during this period. The focus on increased nutrition helps prevent lambing difficulties and ensures better health for both ewes and lambs.