Abstract:
The industrial training at livestock experimental station attempted to provide practical skills, knowledge, field practice and experience to enhance the theoretical knowledge that is gained in class. Livestock experimental station is a government farm with three main enterprises i.e.; Diary, Poultry and piggery. It is aimed at producing high quality and quantity milk, beef, pork, eggs and chicken for the community. Therefore, my objectives were to acquaint myself with; the various breeds of dairy cattle: poultry and pigs at LES, the various animal husbandry practices and get hands on experience on animal welfare skills, Animal diseases; their signs, symptoms and treatment, Methods of parasite (internal & external) control used in the three enterprises, Pasture management and preservation methods, Feed mixing, Hatchery, Piggery and Poultry management practices and to practically get some knowledge on artificial insemination, multiple ovulations, embryo transfer etc. The training revealed that some of the theory taught in class slightly differs from what is practically done in the field for example, very few welfare practices ate applied in the field. The obvious ones that are observed include; treating animals, providing sheltery Feeds; Proper restraining of the animals (during treatment, milking etc.) But when it comes to moving animals in races, the welfare is not followed at all because animals are beaten badly and sometimes, they bleed.
The training also revealed that Production and Management in any enterprise are too different broad activities that which must move hand in hand for any farm to get the expected profits or even more. Production and management require a lot of hard work, sacrifices, dedication and determination. It is therefore recommended that more animal husbandry officers should be trained to guide and advise farmers who are hardships in production and management.
