AGRICULTURE EDUCATION TOPIC

EFFECTS OF MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS IMPACT ON GOAT PRODUCTION

(A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED LIVESTOCKS FARMS IN EPE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE)

                     

                            

                                                           BY

        OMOTAYO INUMIDUN REBECCA

         MATRIC NO: PT1502/06/02/012

A RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION, FACULTY OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, MICHAEL OTEDOLA COLLEGE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION

                                                                        ABSTRACT

This article presents a brief overview of stress and its impact on growth, production, reproduction and disease susceptibility in farm animals. A single measure of stress might not be a reliable indicator and it is usually more informative to combine multiple indicators of stress to assess animal welfare. Popular measures of stress such as alterations in hormonal profiles can be complemented with behavioral and immunological changes. Traditional approaches are insufficient to unravel the role of large number of genes and interconnected genetic pathways leading to multiple responses to stresses. Modern genomic and proteomics methodologies used in identifying the biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of stress response have also been described briefly. With a better understanding of the basic biology, altered physiological processes and the genes/proteins involved in stress adaptability, it would be possible to develop methodologies for selection of animals with better performance and devise strategies for goat welfare.

                                                                        CHAPTER ONE

                                                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

The term stress has been derived from the Latin word stringere, meaning to draw tight. In the 1920s and 1930s, the term was occasionally used for harmful environmental agent that could cause illness. Walter Cannon used it in 1934 to refer to external factors that disrupted homeostasis. The novel usage arose out of Selye's 1930s experiments wherein he referred stress as a condition and stressor to the stimulus causing it.

Stress is a reflex reaction revealed by the inability of an animal to cope with its environment, which may lead to many unfavorable consequences, ranging from discomfort to death. It covers the behavioral and biological responses to a wide range of abiotic stressors such as social interactions or rough handling, common farm practices (castration, dehorning, teeth clipping, shoeing, weaning crowding etc) improper feeding, exposure to adverse climatic conditions, exercise, work and transport etc. Stressors can originate from within an individual (endogenous) or from the environment (exogenous). Stress-triggering stimuli are not Stress in farm animals 1760 necessarily painful but psychological states, such as fear or anxiety also activate physiological responses. Once animal perceives a threat, it develops behavioral, autonomic, endocrine or immune response to maintain homeostasis. In case animal is unable to withstand stress, the consequences will be abnormal biological functions and development of pathologies. Stress responses are related not only to the nature and the intensity of the triggering stimulus, but also to individual response tendencies or temperament.

The body systems which are mainly involved in the process of adaptation to the environment are endocrine system for long-term responses and nervous system for sensory inputs and short term responses. When an environmental pressure exceeds to that which animal’s adaptive mechanisms can accommodate, stress related disease occurs. Many theories have been postulated to explain the organism's physiological response to stress. Hans Seyle proposed the general adaptation syndrome which provided the first comprehensive biological theory of stress. He proposed three stages which constituted alarm, resistance and exhaustion. When the threat or stressor is identified or realized, the body's stress response is a state of alarm. In this stage that animals react by fighting or fleeing. If the stressor persists, the body tries to adapt to the strains or demands of the environment. Exhaustion is the third and final stage when all of the body's resources are eventually depleted and the body is unable to maintain normal function. If stage three is extended, the immune system is exhausted resulting to development of psychosomatic disease, immunosupression, reduced efficiency of production and reproduction. It affects ability to perform and make animals susceptible to physio-pathological disorders.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Small ruminants i.e. goats play an important role in providing food and monetary security to the poor farmers apart from being a major portion of the country’s agricultural output. The small ruminants have gained lots of importance in the past decades in the light of climate change that has been eclipsing the environment in the form of extreme events such as droughts, disease outbreaks; increased natural calamities, ozone layer depletion, glacier melting, etc. because they happen to be a substitute to decreased crops which is food source for humans. These animals are also affected by the environmental impact as their larger counterparts (large ruminants) and other livestock animals, but comparatively they are more resilient to climate change.       Therefore, this research attempts to highlight those problem areas and provide solutions to them.

1.3       Purpose of the Study

The study aims at providing solution to the problems of poultry production and marketing of selected poultry farms in Epe local government

            The broad objectives of the study are as follow:

1. To review existing literature, collect and collate relevant information on solving the problems    of multiple environmental stress impact on goat production.

2. To examine the various environmental stressors that influence the small ruminants

3. The consequences that those stressors have on the growth, production and reproduction of        goats.

4. To identify possible solutions to the problem of goat production.

5. To recommend measures for improving the performance of goat production.

1.4       Research Questions

In view of the statement of the problem above, the following research questions will be asked

1.         What are the effects of multiple environmental stress on goat production

2.         To what extent has the stress affect goat production

1.5       Research Hypotheses

Ho₁: There is no significant difference between multiple environmental stress impact and the        success of goat production

Ho2:    There is no significant difference between the availability of market for the products         or services determines and the survival of goat production.

Ho3: There is no significant relationship between research play in the survival and growth of the business.

1.5       Significance of the Study

In Nigeria economy, the industrial sector is dominated by poultry and livestock production industries. A careful study in economic analysis of poultry production and marketing is very relevant.

            The study would serve as a guide to the business owners, the management as well as prospective entrepreneurs with respect to how to set up and manage goat production,, coping with and handling common problems of the business.

            The study would serve as a challenge to the government to promote and assist poultryand livestock production business by planning programmes and implement policies that will favour them and enhance their growth.

1.6       Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study is limited to the livestock farms engaged in goat production in Epe local government. These are typical examples of small-scale industries in Nigeria. The study does not cover the performance of large scale industries.

1.7       Definition of Terms

Stress:              Are externally applied to a body which causes internal stress within the body.

Effect:             The result or outcome of a cause.

Goat:               is a ruminant mammals of the genus Carpa, related to the sheep.

Production:     The act of making or creating something

                 

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