Republic of the Philippines
University of Southeastern
Philippines
College of Agriculture Related Sciences
Tagum-Mabini Campus
Mabini Unit
AGRICULTURE SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT COURSE (AGRI 200)
NARRATIVE REPORT ON
ANIMAL SCIENCE
COMPETENCY
Submitted by:
_____Jessa Mae P. Manulat___
Student
Submitted to:
Ritsmond Zemry P. Ubod____
AS, Faculty In charge
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE
July 2024
Introduction
Agricultural skills are essential for enhancing productivity, sustainability, and
efficiency in farming. Practical skills like soil testing, crop management, pest control,
and irrigation optimize resources and improve yields. Knowledge of sustainable
practices ensures long-term environmental health and resource preservation.
These skills also aid in problem-solving, helping farmers address challenges like
adverse weather, pests, and market fluctuations. Proficiency in modern agricultural
technologies enhances farm management accuracy and efficiency, while business
and financial skills ensure profitable and sustainable operations. Ultimately,
agricultural skills empower farmers to produce food more effectively, support rural
development, contribute to food security, and adapt to the evolving demands of the
agricultural sector.
Objectives
To develop agriculture skills in animal science including health care and
management.;
Hands-On Experience and Practical Application;
To Enhance Reproductive Efficiency; and
To Enhance Environmental Stewardship.
Description and Schedule of Activities
During the first week, from July 15 to 19, 2024, the program began with an
orientation on Monday morning, followed by an afternoon quiz consisting of 23 items
on common breeds of farm animals, including carabao, cattle, swine, sheep, goat,
and poultry. This was complemented by a lecture on these breeds. On Tuesday
morning, participants toured the facilities and spent the afternoon bagging chicken
manure. Wednesday involved a discussion on Artificial Insemination (AI) and rope
splicing in the morning, with the afternoon dedicated to semen collection and
evaluation. On Thursday, the morning session focused on planting forage, while the
afternoon included a presentation on rope splicing and quadrat techniques. Friday
activities included identifying feeds, deworming sheep, and cleaning.
In the second week, from July 22 to 26, 2024, Monday began with a moving exam on
feed identification and an afternoon lecture on the advantages and disadvantages of
AI. Tuesday featured an oral recitation in the morning and a discussion about forage
in the afternoon. Wednesday included a pre-test followed by a lecture. On Thursday
morning, participants practiced umbilical cord cutting, teeth cutting, tail cutting, and
administering vitamins, with an afternoon lecture concluding the day. The program
ended on Friday morning with a final exam.
Problems Encountered
During the semester, I encountered a challenge related to the swine facility
visit. Although I had no issues with the subject matter or the activities and
tasks assigned by the instructor, I felt apprehensive about interacting with the
swine due to personal and cultural reasons. As a Muslim, I had never touched
swine before, which made me feel uneasy. Despite this discomfort, I
managed to participate and handle the situation respectfully. Overall, I found
the experience enriching and enjoyed the opportunity to learn about different
aspects of animal science, even though it tested my comfort zone.
Lessons Learned
Throughout the semester, I learned several valuable lessons. First, I gained a
deeper understanding of various farm animal breeds and their specific needs,
which enhanced my overall knowledge of animal science. I also developed
practical skills in animal healthcare and management, such as administering
treatments, managing facilities, and handling different types of livestock.
Additionally, the experience taught me the importance of adaptability and
overcoming personal discomfort to embrace new learning opportunities.
Overall, the semester enriched my practical skills and broadened my
perspective on animal science and agriculture.
Recommendation
Throughout the semester, I learned several valuable lessons. First, I gained a
deeper understanding of various farm animal breeds and their specific needs,
which enhanced my overall knowledge of animal science. I also developed
practical skills in animal healthcare and management, such as administering
treatments, managing facilities, and handling different types of livestock.
Additionally, the experience taught me the importance of adaptability and
overcoming personal discomfort to embrace new learning opportunities.
Overall, the semester enriched my practical skills and broadened my
perspective on animal science and agriculture.
1st week
Day 1(July 15,2024)
Class Orientation (Morning)
On the first day of the class, the first thing students
should learn is the classroom rules. During the
orientation, the teacher introduces themselves and
shares their background and experiences. The teacher
presents the class schedule, including subjects, timings,
and any special events or activities; he then also
introduces the school's facilities and their locations.
Figure 1. Class Orientation
Common breeds of Farm Animals (Quiz 23 items)
And Lecture (Afternoon)
Students are expected to become familiar with the
common farm animal breeds on this day, which include
cattle, pigs, goats, ducks, and chickens.
Following a brief introduction to animal breeds for all
children, students are required to write all of the common
breeds on a piece of paper. Following this, they will take
a quiz consisting of 23 items.
Following all of those activities, the teachers talk about
the popular breeds of farm animals in the Philippines and
why it's vital to know about them.
Figure 2: Quiz
Day 2 (July 16,2024)
Checking the Facilities (Morning)
Students are expected to check the facilities and make a
note of what they witnessed on this particular day. It's
enjoyable to wander about and explore the amenities.
Learning about the various tools and strange items on
the farm is an enjoyable pastime.
Figure 3: Checking the
Facilities
Bagging of Manure (Chicken dang)
(Afternoon)
The pupils' assignment on this day is to bag the chicken
excrement; each group must fill three sacks with the
material. The students are making every effort to fill
their sacks to the brim with dry manure, which they
keep within the sack to eventually be used as organic
fertilizer. Students collaborate and form teams in order
to complete their assignments more quickly.
Figure 4: Bagging of
Manure
Day 3 (July 17,2024)
Lecture about Artificial Insemination (Morning)
The teacher explains the significance of artificial
insemination, the right time to collect semen, and how
to handle and store it once we gather it for semen
evaluation on this particular day. The instructor also
discusses the optimal time to dip a semen and the
significance of understanding artificial insemination.
Figure 5: Lecture
Rope Splicing Demonstration (Same day)
Rope splicing was the second task that students
completed that day. The instructor demonstrated to the
class how to splice rope for cattle nostrils precisely.
The student is making every effort to comprehend the
secret to making things appear tidy.
Students experience pain in their fingers from the
somewhat larger rope because they must twist it to
insert their finger and allow the rope's tip to enter.
Although rope splicing is a pleasant exercise, it might
be difficult to grasp the technique and the processes
involved in doing it correctly at first.
Figure 6: Rope
Splicing
Semen Collection (Afternoon)
We are tasked with gathering good semen from a boar
on the same day, but the caretaker collected for the
student's safety because only professionals or
experienced individuals can do this. In order to
demonstrate to the students how to properly collect
semen, the caregiver uses a dummy pig. When the boar
lays on top, the caregiver may harvest the semen.
Figure 7: Semen Collection
Semen Evaluation
On the same day the student visits the laboratory that day
to assess the boar semen after gathering it. Making sure
the semen is secure and won't be hit by the sun directly,
the students gently carry the semen into the lab. The
students place the semen in a closed container or in their
bag to ensure its safety. Following a short while of
strolling, the students getting ready by gathering the
materials needed to analyze the semen. The students then
count the semen's heads and tails. Ninety percent of the
semen is viable, which makes the students happy.
Figure 8: Semen
Evaluation
Day 4 (July 18,2024)
Planting Forage (Morning)
The students' early task is to plant forage.
Because forage crops offer nutrients and
high-quality feed to livestock, improving the
health and production of animals, the
students plant forage for the animals.
Increasing milk and meat yield boosts
agricultural output. They aid in enhancing
soil water retention capacity, decreasing
soil erosion, and boosting soil fertility and
structure.
Figure 9: Planting
Forage
Rope Splicing (Presentation)
(Afternoon)
Rope-splicing the students' final presentation this afternoon.
It is important for students to understand the purpose of it as
well as how to use it.
Although rope work is not difficult, students often remark
about how painful it is on their fingertips, depending on the
size of the rope.
Rope splicing is the process of partially untwisting and then
weaving the strands of two ropes or two sections of a single
rope to create a semi-permanent junction. Splices can be
used to connect two ropes together, create a loop or eye in a
rope, or create a stopper at the end of a line.
Figure 10: Rope Splicing
Quadrat Analysis (Afternoon)
In order to sample the weed population, the student
used a quadrat analysis during the afternoon
session. A specific area was chosen at random for
this. To precisely mark out the area to be sampled,
a quadrat frame—a square or rectangular grid used
in ecological studies—was thoroughly placed
down. The student then methodically noted the
kinds and quantities of weed species present in the
frame, guaranteeing precise data collection for a
subsequent analysis. This technique aids in
comprehending the abundance and distribution of
weed species in the chosen area.
Figure 11: Quadrat Analysis
Day 5 (July 19,2024)
Feed Identification (Morning)
Today's first assignment for students is to
identify the various types of feeds. They
become acquainted with their hues, textures,
and shapes. Others write their names on
paper, while others capture images so they
can more readily become familiar with the
feeds.
They become acquainted with their hues,
textures, and shapes. Identifying different
types of feeds is not that hard because some seeds are already familiar.
Figure 12: Feed Identification
Sheep Deworming (Afternoon)
Today's assignment for the students to deworm
sheep. Sheep should be caught by students
and placed in a cage. Sheep can kick, run very
quickly, and weigh a much, so catching them is
difficult.
The students use a syringe to deworm the
sheep, and even though it's difficult to open the
animal's mouth, they succeed.
Deworming is crucial for eliminating internal
parasites that might harm animals.
Figure 13: Deworming
2nd Week
Day 1 (July 22,2024)
Moving Exam (Morning)
Feed identification is the first assignment given to the
students this morning. It's a moving exam, and the feeds
are arranged by sections. It wasn't too difficult, although
some of the seeds are unfamiliar. Students become
slightly perplexed about some seeds as the moving exam
progresses since they resemble other seeds.
Figure 1: feed identification
Lecture about Advantages and Disadvantages of AI
(Artificial Insemination)
(Afternoon)
On this day the teacher discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of AI is Compared to natural breeding,
artificial insemination (AI) has a number of benefits,
including genetic enhancement, the opportunity to select
from a large range of boars, the need for fewer boars, and
the capacity to manage time and money more effectively.
Because semen is temperature sensitive, refrigerated
semen maintained for more than 72 hours may yield
findings that are below normal.
When AI is implemented inappropriately or at the wrong
moment because of operator tiredness, disappointing
outcomes may happen.
Figure 2: Lecture
Day 2 (July 23,2024)
Oral Recitation (Morning)
Oral recitation is the first task for the
students this morning. They are all really
anxious since they don't know what the
teacher will ask and worry that the
question might be extremely difficult.
Despite all the strain, the students are
still able to respond.
Figure 3: Oral Recitation
Live Weight Estimation of Farm
Animals (Afternoon)
On this afternoon the students take the
live
Weight of farm animals,(Cattle, Swine and
Goat). Getting the animals live weight is a
bit risky. So to ensure the length of the
animal's body, as shown in distance A-B
in the illustration. From point of shoulder
to pin bone. Using the measurements
from steps 1 and 2, calculate body weight
using the formula HEART GIRTH x
HEART GIRTH x BODY LENGTH / 300 =
ANIMAL WEIGHT IN POUNDS.
Figure 4: Live Weight Estimation
Day 3 (July 24,2024)
Pre-test and Lecture (Morning)
Since the teacher is covering a new subject this morning, the students are given a
pre-test. The instructor next goes over how to take care of and manage sows, the
castration process, and its advantages and disadvantages.
.
Figure 5: Lecture
Day 4 (Jul 25,2024)
Umbilical Cord cutting, Needle teeth, tail
Cutting (Afternoon)
On this day the student did such a good
performance because Umbilical Cord cutting,
Needle teeth, tail Cutting are not easy some
students are first timer, some have a fear of
blood But they manage to did such a great
job of handling and taking care of the piglets.
Figure 6: Care & Management
Day 5 (July 26,2024)
Feed Formulation Calculation (Afternoon)
On the last day the student activity is to formulate the feed. the students must
calculate to find the suitable feed formulation for farm animals.
Feed formulation is important because a properly formulated feed provides the
animal with all the nutrients it needs for optimal growth and milk or egg production.
Figure 7: Feed Calculation
APPENDICES
(July 15-19,2024) – (July 22-26,2024)
Figure 1: Class Orientation Figure 2: Quiz
Figure 3: Checking the Facility Figure 4: Bagging of Manure
Figure 5: Quadrat Analysis Figure 6: Rope Splicing
Figure 7: Feed Identification Figure 8: Sheep Deworming
Figure 8: Live weight Estimation Figure 9: Care & Management
Figure 10: Cleaning Figure 11: Semen Evaluation
Figure 12: Semen Collection Figure 13: Semen Evaluation
(Preparation)
Figure 13: Weeds Weight Calculation Figure 14: Weighing Weeds
(Green & Brown)
Figure 15: Land Preparation Figure 16: Live Weight Estimation
(To Plant Forage) (Piglets)
