Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry refers to livestock raising and selective breeding. It is the management and care of animals in which the genetic qualities and behavior of animals are further developed for profit. A large number of farmers depend upon animal husbandry for their livelihood.

Animals provide us with a variety of food products that have high nutritional values. Therefore, they require a lot of care and attention. Animals have versatile

uses in our society. They provide companionship, food, and clothing. Animals

are vital to all of us, no matter where we

live in the country. The animal industry is

not only important but also large

The animal production area of the animal industry primarily produces animals for food

and other uses. Animal production enterprises vary greatly in size and shape because of the

nature of production, owner interest, and the technology available. Production livestock might

be raised on large, open-range ranches. Niche animals might be raised on a smaller scale—for

example, ornamental fish in aquariums.

Animal production may be divided into categories, such as large animal, poultry, companion

animal, and so on. These groupings emerge based on differences in production value, feeding,

and housing. Large animal production generally focuses on livestock, which is mammals

produced on farms and ranches for food and other purposes. Animals commonly associated

with this product type are cattle, swine, sheep, horses, and goats. In recent years, a variety of

new species also have emerged in this production type

Our society uses animals for food, clothing and ornamentation, companionship, work services, research, and environmental functions. Often animals are killed to obtain their products.

From cattle to fish, animals produce products for human consumption that vary with the

kinds of animals and their ages. For example, veal is the meat of cattle younger than three

months of age, whereas beef is the meat of cattle three months of age or older. Lamb is the

meat of sheep less than one year

of age, whereas mutton is the

meat of sheep one year of age or

older. Pork is the meat of swine.

Another use of animals by

humans is for clothing and ornamentation. Many animals provide

products used for clothing, buttons, and jewelry. For example,

sheep provide wool, and oysters

provide pearls.

Many animals are simply used

for their companionship. Companion animals, or pets, are animals kept long term by humans

for their enjoyment.

Also, animals are used for the services they can provide. Draft animals, like horses, buffalos, and mules, are animals kept for pulling and working with heavy loads. Other animals

guard property, herd other animals, and assist people whose vision or hearing is impaired.

Another use of animals can be quite controversial but is responsible for advances in production and technology. Animals are often used to test products that benefit humans, such as cosmetics, medicines, and health-care products. Moreover, animals are important to the environment because they play niche roles in the ecology of the earth. They help clean the environment, such as by eating dead animals, or they

serve as food for other animals in the food chain.