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Good shed design is essential on all livestock farms - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 14 - 2022
Question 14
Good shed design is essential on all livestock farms. Outline two reasons for good ventilation in sheds. (b) The provision of good animal handling and housing fac... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Good shed design is essential on all livestock farms - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 14 - 2022
Step 1
Outline two reasons for good ventilation in sheds.
Answer
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Good ventilation helps to reduce moisture levels in the shed, preventing the buildup of harmful gases such as ammonia from animal waste, which can adversely affect animal health.
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It promotes air circulation, which is crucial for maintaining a suitable temperature, reducing heat stress in livestock, particularly during warmer seasons.
Step 2
Outline two advantages of housing sheep before lambing.
Answer
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Housing sheep before lambing allows for closer monitoring of the animals, ensuring timely assistance during the lambing process and improving survival rates of the lambs.
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It provides a controlled environment that can protect ewes from harsh weather conditions, promoting better health and wellbeing during pregnancy.
Step 3
Outline two advantages of incorporating headlock barriers into the design of the shed.
Answer
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Headlock barriers facilitate easier handling of livestock, allowing farmers to safely and effectively manage feeding and health checks without excessive stress on the animals.
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They prevent injuries among the animals by reducing the likelihood of them escaping or becoming entangled during feeding.
Step 4
Describe how they would house the ewes to ensure best management practices.
Answer
Liam and Hannah should ensure that the housing for the 136 ewes is spacious enough to prevent overcrowding, with adequate bedding to provide comfort and warmth. The design should include proper ventilation to maintain air quality and reduce disease risk. Furthermore, regular cleaning and disinfection of the housing area is essential to minimize pathogens. The environment should also be dimly lit, as bright lights can stress the ewes, especially during late gestation.
Step 5
Describe the feeding requirements of the pregnant ewe during flushing and steaming up.
Answer
During flushing, ewes should be provided with a high-energy diet rich in carbohydrates and protein to prepare them for mating and to encourage ovulation. This typically includes good quality grass silage and concentrates.
In the steaming up period, as pregnancy progresses, feeding should focus on providing adequate nutrition to support the developing lambs, typically necessitating an increase in energy, protein, and minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, to ensure the health of the ewe and optimal growth of the lambs.
Step 6
Briefly describe two advantages of flushing.
Answer
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Flushing increases the chances of more lambs being born by improving the ewe’s body condition and hormone levels, leading to higher ovulation rates.
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It helps synchronize estrus among the flock, allowing for more controlled breeding and optimizing lambing times.
Step 7
Complete the table below to outline three actions to minimise mortality and give a reason for each action.
Answer
How to minimise mortality | Reason for action
Correct feeding in late pregnancy | Prevent oversized lambs
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Regular health checks and vaccinations | Ensure ewes are healthy, reducing the risk of disease transmission to lambs.
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Providing a clean and dry lambing area | Prevents hypothermia in newborn lambs and promotes a safe birth environment.
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Monitoring ewe lambing behaviour | Allows for timely interventions during lambing, ensuring healthy births.