Topic 5:  Questions and Answers

• Answer the questions below.
• Give yourself one hour.
• Check your answers afterwards and do corrections.

QUESTIONS

1. Give a brief overview of the development and domestication of farm animals. (12)
2. Give two reasons why the livestock industry in South Africa is important for the economy. (2)
3. Briefly describe how digestion takes place in ruminants and non-ruminants. (4)
4. Complete the table of animal terms (white blocks). (10)
   

   Species and alternate terminology	Adult male	Young male	Castrated male	Adult female	Young female	Young
   Cattle (bovine)	bull		ox (plural oxen)	cow		calf
   Sheep (ovine)	ram	–		ewe	–	lamb
   Goats (caprine)	ram/buck	–		doe/nanny	–
   Pigs (porcine, swine, hogs)		–		sow		piglet
   Horses (equine)	stallion	colt	gelding	mare	filly	foal
   Donkeys		colt	gelding		filly	foal
   Chickens	rooster	–		hen	–	chick

5. Name the two main types of the genus Bos and give three characteristics of each. (8)
6. What are the general characteristics of a beef bull? (5)
7. Name three dairy cattle breeds. (3)
8. Give the classification of sheep breeds based on their utilisation. (4)
9. Name two meat goat breeds and give a brief description of each. (6)
10. Name the two main pork breeds and give a description of each. (6)
11. List the four basic requirements for successful poultry production. (4)
12. Give four reasons why game farming is important for the South African economy. (4)

[Total marks: 70]

Answers

1. Twelve thousand years ago our ancestors were nomadic hunter-gathers who relied on the natural environment for all their resources. There were no cities, towns or farms, and no farm animals. In what is today the Middle East, they first developed a relationship with the grey wolf.
   Some of the tamer cubs became permanent companions of humans. They were useful as they guarded families and helped with hunting. By keeping the tamest wolves and allowing them to breed with each other, humans gradually created a new species of animal: the domestic dog. Through selection and breeding, humans selected the genes for tameness. From this ancestral dog, the 400 dog breeds that exist today have been bred by selecting them for various physical and behavioural characteristics. This was the beginning of animal domestication.
   Our ancestors started settling down and cultivating crops. They used the same method that they used on wolves for taming, selecting and breeding other wild animals. This caused physical and behavioural changes that made these animals suitable for farming. From these animals we derived sheep, goats, cattle, horses, pigs and poultry.
   As humans migrated to various parts of the world, they took their domestic animals with them. The wild animals of southern Africa were not found to be suitable for domestication, but when the Khoekhoe migrated southwards they brought their cattle and fat-tailed sheep with them. African migrations brought the ancestor of Nguni cattle. The Dutch brought pigs with them in 1652, and since then various breeds of livestock have been imported, which have been cross-bred with existing stock for increased production.
2.                
   • It provides employment.
   • The products earn farmers and the country money in foreign currency.
3. Ruminants are unable to digest their food themselves. Their stomachs are divided into four parts, in which micro-organisms break down the cellulose in the plant material.
   They regurgitate their semi-digested food for chewing into finer particles. Rumination allows the material to be broken down further so the micro-organisms can digest the plant fibre more effectively.
   When the micro-organisms have broken down the plant matter, the stomach content moves down into the intestines where the absorption of nutrients occurs.
   Non-ruminants are monogastric, which means they have one simple stomach, in which food is digested.
4.                             
   

   Species and alternate terminology	Adult male	Young male	Castrated male	Adult female	Young female	Young
   Cattle (bovine)	bull	steer	ox (plural oxen)	cow	heifer	calf
   Sheep (ovine)	ram	–		ewe	–	lamb
   Goats (caprine)	ram/buck	–	wether	doe/nanny	–	kid
   Pigs (porcine, swine, hogs)	boar	–	barrow	sow	gilt	piglet
   Horses (equine)	stallion	colt	gelding	mare	filly	foal
   Donkeys	jack	colt	gelding	jenny	filly	foal
   Chickens	rooster	–	capon	hen	–	chick

5.                                  
   1. Bos indicus (African type) also called zebu.
      • Originated in South Asia, possibly in India.
      • Also known as humped cattle, as they are characterised by a fatty hump on their shoulders, as well as by drooping ears and a large dewlap (a loose fold of skin hanging under the throat).
      • Well adapted to hot, arid climates: hump helps in the storage of water, loose skin helps in heat dissipation, and they have sweat glands all over their bodies.
      • Fairly resistant to African diseases and parasites.
      • Farmed throughout the tropics, for beef, dairy and as draught oxen.
   2. Bos taurus (European type) or taurine cattle.
      • Originated in Europe, northeastern parts of Asia and some parts of Africa.
      • Thrive in cooler climates, they are not adapted to hot, dry places as they do not have humps or dewlaps.
      • Usually have their sweat glands on their noses.
      • Vary in size and body structure, depending on the uses for which they were bred. Some are plump and round, others lean and angular.
      • Seldom used for draught.
      • Beef breeds produce meat of a very good quality, and dairy breeds produce plentiful milk; they do better on good quality food.
      • Tend to be susceptible to drought and African diseases.
        (Any 3 characteristics of each)
6. Bulls should have a large frame size, with a compact, block-like conformation, good depth, muscular straight shoulders and well-developed hindquarters. They should stand squarely on four strong feet with well-structured legs to ensure easy gait over long distances. They need good reproductive soundness and efficiency. A bull should be able to produce 50 calves per year. (Any 5)
7. Holstein-Friesland; Jersey; Guernsey; Ayrshire. (Any 3)
8. Mutton breeds; wool breeds; dual-purpose breeds; pelt breeds.
9.                                        
   1. Savanna goat
      • White savannahs have short white hair, floppy ears and backward curving horns.
   2. Boer goat
      • Usually white with brown heads.
      • Floppy ears and backward curving horns.
      • Heavily built, full-grown bucks weighing roughly 120 kg and does 90 kg.
   3. Kalahari Red
      • Reddish colour, with a short shiny hair coat.
      • Floppy ears and backward curving horns (Any 2)
10.                            
    1. Large White
       • Very large, sturdy pink-coloured pig with a thin, white hair coat.
       • A characteristic head with a short snout, dished face and erect ears.
       • The sows are good mothers.
       • Less susceptible to stress than the Landrace.
       • It is the breed most used in intensive systems.
    2. Landrace
       • Originated in Denmark and was then improved by breeders in the USA.
       • It is a white pig with a long body and flatter back than most other breeds. It has a long, narrow head, smooth jowls and large heavy ears. The rump is long and meaty and the hams are plump.
       • It is the second most numerous breed, and is used in crosses with the Large White.
11. Housing; management; breeding; nutrition.
12.                      
    • Game numbers have increased in South Africa since 1850, which means that the biodiversity of the country has increased.
    • Game farming generates income from breeding of rare species, local hunting, trophy hunting and eco-tourism, and from meat production.
    • The average game ranch is 983 ha, with an economic output of R220/ha compared with R80/ha on conventional stock farms.
    • Three times more staff is employed on game ranches than on livestock farms.
    • The gross income from wildlife ranching annually in South Africa is R7,7 billion compared with the poultry (R20 billion) and red meat (R18 billion) industries.
    • South Africa imports about R2 billion red meat annually. Game meat production could therefore contribute to food security. (Any 4)

[Total marks: 70]