MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL SCIENCE

I. INTRODUCTION

The animal industry is a major component of the Philippine agriculture

contributing hundred billions of pesos in terms of income to the country’s economy.
The industry continues to benefit its allied industries as well as the manpower sector
with more jobs and opportunities for establishing agri-based enterprises. Animals
provide food, fiber and leather for clothing, fuel, and draft power or transportation and
soil tillage which greatly contributed in the growth and survival of humanity. Each
animal has its own specific requirements to sustain life and to become productive as
determined by its needs such as food, shelter and reproduction. Moreover, each
species is influenced by the physical environment where it inhabits, and by other
plants, animals and even humans that make up its biological environment.

Therefore, studying animal science is imperative to gain proper knowledge and

understanding about animals. This leads to the development of appropriate
technologies, management practices and interventions to be applied in animal
production, making it efficient and profitable.

II. OBJECTIVE

General Objective

Module 1 aims to discuss the interrelationship of plants, animals and man, and their
roles in the ecological system. This will also help the students appreciate the
contributions of animals to agricultural development and the economy in general

Specific Objectives

1. To discuss the relationship of man, animals and the ecosystem,

2. To give the economic benefits of animals to mankind,

3. To determine the contributions of animals to agricultural development

and its relation to population problem, and

4. To appreciate the development of animal science and how it affects the

animal industry.

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III. OVERVIEW

Module 1 focuses on understanding the ecosystem and the management

decisions applied based on scientific and economic principles. This module explains
the influence of physical environment where it inhabits, and by other plants, animals,
and even humans that make up its biological environment. It also tackles the
fundamental disciplines that deals with animal life such as genetics and breeding,
anatomy and physiology, nutrition and animal health. It also discusses products from
different farm animals; their uses, classification, forms and other characteristics.
Moreover, the module will present the recent population inventories of poultry and
livestock to provide a picture of the industry to the students and other readers.

IV. LEARNING CONTENTS

1. Man, Animal and Ecosystems

With increased prosperity, people are consuming more meat and dairy products
every year. Global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million
tons in 1999/2001 to 465 million tons in 2050, while milk output is set to climb from
580 to 1043 million tons.

The global livestock sector is growing faster than any other agricultural sub-
sector. It provides livelihoods to about 1.3 billion people and contributes about 40
percent to global agricultural output. But such rapid growth exacts a steep
environmental price. The livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas
emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a
major source of land and water degradation.

When emissions from land use and land use change are included, the livestock
sector accounts for 9 percent of CO2 deriving from human-related activities, but
produces a much larger share of even more harmful greenhouse gases. It generates
65 percent of human-related nitrous oxide, which has 296 times the Global Warming
Potential (GWP) of CO2. Most of this comes from manure.
and it accounts for respectively 37 percent of all human-induced methane (23 times
as warming as CO2), which is largely produced by the digestive system of
ruminants, and 64 percent of ammonia, which contributes significantly to acid rain.
Livestock now use 30 percent of the earth’s entire land surface, mostly permanent
pasture but also including 33 percent of the global arable land used to producing
feed for livestock, the report notes. As forests are cleared to create new pastures, it

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is a major driver of deforestation, especially in Latin America where, for example,
some 70 percent of former forests in the Amazon have been turned over to grazing.

The livestock business, however, is among the most damaging sectors to the
earth’s increasingly scarce water resources, contributing among other things to
water pollution, eutrophication and the degeneration of coral reefs. The major
polluting agents are animal wastes, antibiotics and hormones, chemicals from
tanneries, fertilizers and the pesticides used to spray feed crops. Widespread
overgrazing disturbs water cycles, reducing replenishment of above and below
ground water resources. Significant amounts of water are withdrawn for the
production of feed
(http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html).

1.1 Three (3) main categories of constraints to improve animal production in

developing countries:

 Ecological factors- land topography; soil fertility; temperature; relative

humidity; plant growing season

 Biological factors – feed and water supply; animal diseases; genotype

 Socio-economic factors – supply and demand relationship; input-output

ratio; prices; religion; culture and tradition; politics

1.2 Environmental Influences on Animal Production

 Feed supply -seasonality of feeds

-Irrigation water shortage or limited rainfall may

affect plant growth and development

 Light -influences hair growth (longer day length-shorter

hair; longer night length-longer hair)

 Rainfall and humidity -when rainfall is heavy and humidity is

high, pasture grows faster and its nutritive value
becomes less due to more cellulose in roughage
resulting to small size grazing animals
-adequate rainfall, air temperature is low and water
evaporation is limited, grasses will contain smaller

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 proportion of cellulose resulting in faster growth of
animals than those grazing in hot humid areas

 Temperature -affects growth and production efficiency of

animals at higher temperature

2. Animals and their Economic Utility

Global livestock production remains one of the most important components of the
agricultural sector, sustaining human life in a number of important ways. In addition
to providing a source of milk and meat, they provide work, as plow animals; fuel and
fertilizer, in the form of manure; a source of clothing, such as leather from dried skins
and wool from sheep; and as transportation, the domestication of horses and camels
have allowed humans to travel long distances. Livestock also contributes greatly to
the livelihoods of 70 percent of the rural poor.
(http://www.enviroliteracy.org/subcategory.php/219.html)

2.1 Animal attributes that enhance the ability of an agricultural system to

produce food for man:

 Animals can feed on and convert plants and other materials which would
have otherwise gone to waste, into rich human food

 Animal products have chemical composition that closely resemble man’s

dietary requirement and therefore more digestible and nutritious

Since food is the most important contribution of animals to human welfare,

animals have been domesticated by man getting some benefits such as skin and
hide for clothing and shelter, animal power for transport, beauty, grace and
subservient temperament for man’s amusement and companion. Certain animal
products and by-products are also used for commercial products such as glue from
horns, fertilizer and feed bones and offals, insulated clothing from feathers, etc.

2.2 Contributions of livestock and Poultry to Agricultural development

 Good quality protein - eggs, beef, pork, chevon, lamb, poultry, milk,
source game meat

 Draft power -buffalo, horses, oxen. cattle

 Food reserve -food animals like goat and sheep, pigs

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  Capital accumulation -livestock as living bank of reserve capital

 Value added -conversion of forage, industrial wastes and

household refusal into high value products

 Manure -nutrients to plants, fuel, building material

 Equity -landless farmers who cannot till land for crop

production

 Risk reduction -price fluctuations of crops can be abated by

livestock sales

 Gross domestic product –food economy

 Export earnings -foreign exchange when domestic production

exceeds domestic demands

3. Animal Agriculture and the Human Population

The population explosion together with a poor distribution of food is among the
world’s greatest problems today. In many highly populated, poorly developed
countries most children suffer from malnutrition in their early years. The food supply
in these overpopulated areas consists mostly of starchy grains, which supply enough
energy for life processes, but lack the protein necessary for growth and repair of
body tissues. High quality protein is necessary for proper growth and good health of
animals and man. It is the nutrient in shortest supply on a worldwide basis. Plant
proteins usually do not provide a good balance of amino acids. Animal proteins are
superior in this respect. Animal products such as meat, milk, and eggs still remain as
the major sources of high quality protein for humans.

As of January 2009, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) recorded data on

the different per capita consumption of the following protein products from some
farm animals with the country’s human population (2009) of over 92 million.

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Animal Product Per Capita Consumption ( kg)

Beef 2.03
Carabeef 1.41
Pork 14.87 (includes offal and processed meat)
Chevon 0.44
Poultry meat 8.64
Eggs 3.57
Duck eggs 0.51
Milk 30.00 (source mostly from imported milk and milk products)

4. Animal Science and the Animal Industry

With the world population increasing at the annual rate of about 75 million, and
considering that the nutritional level of a large percentage of the population is
presently below desired standards, the projected need for animal products presents
a tremendous challenge to all involved in activities related to their production.
Present trends in consumption of animal products will increase as the economic
conditions of the world’s people become more favorable.

The application of improved methods of breeding, feeding, management, and

disease control during the last few years has greatly increased the efficiency of
livestock production.

Nowadays, the advent of computers and computer softwares has made animal
production more sophisticated and efficient. In conjunction with advances in
electronics, and other sciences and technologies, computerized feeding of dairy
cows, computerized feed formulation, computerized record keeping, computerized
matching of dairy cows with the right bull, and environmentally-controlled housing
are now commonly employed in large scale commercial farms.

The Swine Industry

Swine industry has remained leading among other livestock and poultry
industries in production and volume and value. As of January 2011, swine inventory
stood at 12.3 million head 8.17 % lower compared to last year’s inventory of 13.4

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million head. About 69 % of the total inventory were from backyard farms while the
rest were from commercial farms.

Being the biggest and organized industry among the local livestock industry,
swine industry provides business and employment opportunities. It also provides
additional income to small hold swine raisers. Along with poultry industry, it also
trigger the development of allied industries i.e., veterinary drug, feed milling,
equipment manufacturing, and others.

The Cattle Industry

The Philippine cattle inventory as of January 2011 was 2.52 million head. This
was 2.06 % lower than the last year’s record of 2.57 million. Inventory of cattle from
backyard farms decreased by 2.69 % while inventory from commercial raisers grew
by 6.90 %. Around 93 % of the total cattle inventory was raised in backyard farms
and only 7 % were raised in commercial farms.

The Carabao Industry

As of January 2011, the total carabao inventory in the country ws 3.07 million
head. This was 5.99 % lower than last year’s level. The inventory in backyard farms
dropped by 6.12 % from last year’s record. About 99 % of the total carabao
population are raised in backyard farms.

The Dairy Industry

The total dairy animal population was 33,442 head. This was 4.48 % higher thn
last year’s headcount. There was a significant increase in the number of dairy goat
this year which grew by about 12.91 % compared to last year’s record.

The Goat Industry

As of January 2011, the total goat inventory was 3.88 million head. It was 7.20
% lower than last year’s inventory. Of the total goat population, around 38 % were
female breeders or does, 9 % were male breeders or bucks, 32 % were kids, and 21
% were classified as castrated male and other for fattening. Ninety-nine (99)
percent of the total inventory of goat are raised in the backyard farms.

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The Poultry Industry

Chicken is one of the most consumed commodity in the world and the local
markets. Locally, it is the largest among other livestock and poultry industry in terms
of population. As of January 2010, total chicken inventory was estimated at 158.93
million birds which is 17 % higher than last year’s population of 158.66 million birds.
Broiler inventory dropped by 8.36 % from last year’s 56.9 million, while layer
population posted an increase of 13.72 % from last year’s 25.2 million. Native
chicken inventory was higher by 2.05 % than last year’s 76.5 million. .

Ducks rank second to chicken in terms of egg and meat production. It is

considered as the most versatile among the avian species because duck can subsist
under a wide range of climatic and nutritional conditions. These birds can be raised
in inexpensive, non-elaborate housing facilities and less space for rearing compared
to chicken. Eggs are the most important products of the duck industry. Mallard duck
eggs are used primarily for the production of “balut” or “penoy”. Eggs can also be
used in fresh form as component of bakery products or as processed eggs such as
salted and century eggs.

Duck population as of January 2010 was estimated at 10.26 million. Majority of

the population is from the backyard with 75.22 % while 24.78 % comes from the
commercial sector.

5. Career Opportunities in Animal Science

Animal-related careers listed below should be considered for a productive and

efficient livestock and poultry industry:

Product sales and promotion; Feed Milling Industry

Plant manager/Supervisor;
Nutritionist;
Feed Quality Inspector;
Feed Dealer/Distributor

Product sales and promotion; Pharmaceuticals

Laboratory technician; Veterinary drugs and supplies industry
Product testing aids;
Quality assurance inspector

Plant operations manager/supervisor Food/ Meat processing

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Food testing aids, Quality assurance
inspector
Sanitation inspector

Operations manager/supervisor Abattoir Operation

Meat fabricator
Meat inspector
Sanitation inspector

Product research and development Dairy Processing

Product processing
Promotion and sales

Product design and testing Equipment Manufacturing

Product sales and promotion

Loans; Feasibility studies; Lending investments, Financing

Property assurance and insurance

Farm consultant Consultancy

Planning consultant
Risk assessment

Academic, Training and extension Teaching

agents

Field technician Extension works

Project implementation
Monitoring and evaluation technician

Research supervisor Research

Research assistant
Technology validation and promotion

Farm manager/supervisor Livestock and poultry farm operations

Farm accounting and book keeper
Product marketing

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V. REFERENCES

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2011. Animal inventory.

http//bas.gov.com.ph/situation. Retrieved on: June 8, 2011.

CAMPBELL, J.R. and J.F. LASLEY. 1975. The Science of Animals that Serve
Mankind. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company

FAO. Livestock a major threat to environment. FAO Newsroom. 29 November 2006,

Rome

J.F. LASLEY. 19. Genetics of Livestock Improvement. New York: McGraw-Hill

Book Company

(http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html)

(http://www.enviroliteracy.org/subcategory.php/219.html)

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