Industrial training carried out at Atlas livestock dairy farm in Kobwin subcounty, Ngora district.

Abstract

This report contains and describes the activities carried out, training, knowledge and skills gained, challenges faced during the industrial training, the conclusion of the report and recommendations derived for the challenges faced at Atlas Livestock Dairy farm in Kobwin sub county in Ngora district. The objective of this industrial training is to make students benefit from the skills and knowledge gained from the fields, apply the knowledge got from theory in classroom lectures to practical, hands on in the field and build confidence of the learners. During my internship, I was introduced to Atlas livestock dairy farm consisting of livestock production both dairy and beef, crop production and marketing of farm products such as milk, matooke, goats and cattle. This was followed by orientation where I was first introduced to the farm management, farm structures, farm sections and equipment and animal species for example cattle, camels, goats, sheep. Cattle breeds kept at Atlas livestock dairy farm include the dairy cattle (Friesians, Guernsey, Jersey, Ayrshire breeds), beef breeds (boran and siahwal), goat breeds include the Boer goats and the small east African local goats and the local sheep breed. And later I was allocated to different animal sections in the farm for the period of three days in each, section before being allocated to another area where I carried out the daily animal management activities with my group members, under full supervision of the Head of Livestock and the farm supervisor. The sections of allocation include main feeding house where all dairy animals are fed, boran house, milking parlor, isolation rooms 1&2, calf pens 1&2, breeding bull section, goat unit, camel section, spray race and cattle crush, parking yard and the entire compound. I had class room lectures on animal diseases, drugs, treatment (routes of administration) with Dr Arionga the DVO of Nakapiripirit District and Dr Ochom Martin. The major activities I carried out include; animal treatment, dehorning of calves, docking on sheep, castration, bucket feeding, milking and milk test, pasture establishment, silage making. We also carried out outreaches to different farmers such as Mr. Aisu Joseph a poultry farmer, Akarukei market and meat inspection knowledge on livestock management, health and marketing of livestock in line with my career and relating with people in the field. During internship, I also faced some challenges like; poor coordination with the group members, inadequate tools for operation, inefficient transport means for community outreach, poor turn up of the farmers for training and unfavorable climatic conditions such as scorching shine, and stormy rains. In conclusion all the activities were carried out well amidst the challenges encountered as some of them were handled during the course of intern session and industrial training ended successfully.