Basics of livestock farming

The environment strongly affects livestock growth and productivity: the shed’s warmth, humidity, gas exchange and lighting. An animal left in the cold needs more feed; if feed is short, output falls and it gets chilled and ill. Humidity depends on temperature and air exchange; a 400–500 kg cow gives off 8–12 kg of moisture a day. Cold damp air is especially dangerous for young animals, while very dry air dries the throat and raises dust. The shed must be well lit, but leaving lamps on at night disturbs rest. A farm should be built sheltered from wind, on higher ground with groundwater at least 4 m deep, at least 500–1000 m from homes and 300 m from main roads. Air-extraction pipes or ventilators are fitted to let out harmful gas and vapour. Gas and dust can be present in a shed, so children do not enter without an adult.