Basics of livestock farming

Livestock farming is one of the main branches of agriculture. It supplies people with meat, milk, fat and eggs and industry with raw materials such as wool, leather and fur; the animals’ waste fertilises land. Its branches: cattle breeding, sheep breeding, horse breeding and poultry farming; fish farming, fur farming and silk farming are also counted in. People get energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats in plant and animal products. Feed contains inorganic matter (water, minerals) and organic matter (nitrogenous substances, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins). Green feed has up to 95 percent water, grain and dry fodder 6–20 percent. Root crops are rich in potassium and sodium salts and poor in calcium and phosphorus. Trace elements such as copper, cobalt, iodine and zinc also matter for animals’ development. With animals, do not approach unfamiliar ones, pet them only beside an adult, wash hands with soap after touching them, and drink milk only after boiling.