Animal production
In several countries across the world, livestock productions are helped to manage food chains. Beyond food production, farm animals play other important economic, cultural and social roles and provide multiple functions and services. They are an essential part of agro-ecosystems.
Type of Animal Products
Type of Farm Animals
Dairy Cattle
Beef Cattle
Goat
Sheep
Swine
Poultry
Rabbit
Fish
Horse
Bee
Importance of Farm Animal
1. Clothing:
Agriculture provides clothing through the production of wool, mohair, and cashmere. Wool markets in the United States have been gradually dropping for several years due to the introduction of synthetic fibers, despite the fact that there is still an economic market for the product.
The value of leather used in shoes, belts, gloves, and clothing ranges from 5% to 10% of the market value of cattle animals.
2. Food:
Some animals assist us in the acquisition of food. Cows, buffalo, and goats provide humans with milk. Milk is a complete nutrient that is required for growth and good health. Many milk-based goods are available, such as ghee, butter, cheese, curd, sweets, and so on. Some individuals eat the meat of specific animals.
Goat, sheep, pig, fish, deer, and other animals’ meat are consumed. Some birds, such as hens and ducks, have their meat consumed. Eggs are laid by hens, ducks, and other birds. The egg is a good source of protein and is considered a healthy food.
3. Fertility of the soil:
Animals on farms are also helping to “go green.” Sixty-four percent of the landmass in the United States is used for livestock production: 36 percent for grazing and 28 percent for hay and other fodder crops and grain.
Farm animals contribute to the preservation of soil and soil fertility in the areas where these livestock feeds are cultivated. The use of livestock dung in these regions replenishes nutrients in the soil utilized by plants for growth. Organic agriculture is rapidly expanding in the United States, and livestock contributes to the conservation of our natural resources.
4. By-products:
Any product produced by animals that aren’t meat is referred to as a by-product. These items make a substantial contribution to the American way of life. Organs, fat, bones and different glands are only some of the by-products.
Candy, house insulation, gum, sandpaper, wallpaper, ice cream, fertilizers, canned meats, buttons, perfumes, glue, camera film, lanolin, gelatin desserts, marshmallows, dice, piano keys, toothbrushes, cosmetics, rug padding, waxes, soap lubricants, printing ink, candles, and upholstering materials for furniture are just a few examples of products made with by-products.
Other animals eat by-products. Insulin, cortisone, adrenaline, thrombin, rennet, heparin, and corticotropin are just a few of the drugs that utilize by-products. Livestock not only contributes to drug development but also serves as a model for scientists studying human and animal health.
5. Transport:
Some animals are employed to move people or commodities from one location to another. Animals like bullocks, camels, donkeys, elephants, horses, and others fall into this category. Bullock carts are drawn by bullocks.
Camels pull camel carts, which are used for transportation and cargo-carrying in deserts. Horses and elephants are also employed as a mode of transportation. Pigeons and hawks were once utilized to transport mail from one location to another. Bullocks are quite beneficial in agriculture. They’re utilized for threshing crops and plowing areas.
6. Power source:
The traditional usage of animals as a source of energy has faded. Scientists have discovered that methane gas, which is created from feces, can be used as a power source as a result of an ongoing study into more effective ways to generate power. Biogas plants have been established at several big feedlots around the United States.
As a source of energy, these plants use methane gas. The dung from around 40 cows might provide enough energy for power, cooking, and heating on a typical American farm. The average cost of food supplied to supermarkets is mostly determined by the cost of electricity. Given recent rises in energy costs and hikes in supermarket prices, this trend appears to be very feasible.
7. Recreation:
Another advantage of using livestock is recreational opportunities. In the United States, there are around 6.9 million horses, and their owners spend $8.5 billion on feed and gear each year.
This not only adds to their economic value but also emphasizes the value of horses as a recreational activity. Horse races draw a larger crowd each year than minor or major league baseball games or auto races. Horses aren’t the only animals that are utilized for entertainment. If you’ve ever been to a county or state fair, you’ve probably seen folks enjoying the cattle exhibition.
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