INTRODUCTION

AGR 304 :Farm Practice IV is a general agriculture practical and report based course in agricultural
science course .It serves as a unit that acquaints students with the necessary knowledge of farming and
its practices .

Also ,it encompasses areas of agriculture which deals with the raising and production of a wide range of
crops and livestock .

Some aims and objectives of this course includes the following amongst others .

a. Enable the student to be able to identify some exotic and locally grown crops and livestock in
Nigeria

b. Educate the students on the cultural and economic use of crops and livestock ,their products,
bye products and significance
c. Provides knowledge on the environmental and climate requirements
d. Enable students undertake intellectual research on activities in all fields of agriculture
e. Understand the roles in production
f. Identify basic farm tools
g. Identify various food products whether plant or animal derived
h. The culture of various fruit and vegetable
i. Expose students to the uses of farm records and application of economic principles to cost
minimization and production optimization for better farm enterprise.

Hence it is a faculty based course which includes the following departments of which various practicals
and teachings was done under the various departments

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION

IDENTIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS OF VARIOUS CLASSES OF ANIMALS -

GOAT,POULTRY ,RABBIT AND CATFISH .

DATE:4th June ,2024

TIME :11;00AM

AIM AND OBJECTIVE ;

To be able to identify the reproductive system of various classes of animals especially the animals used
for the practicals goat ,fish ,pig ,poultry .

Identification of some internal organs in the animals

To measure some parts of the reproductive system of the animals

To know the functions of the various parts of the reproductive systems in animals and their positions in
the reproductive system as it relates reproduction .
To be able to process meat /muscles after slaughtering

Cutting meat into primal cuts

Processing of rabbit skin to leather

MATERIALS USED;

Gloves

Surgical blades

Salt

Butchering knife

Spices and condiments .

The animals (goat,rabbit ,poultry ,fish ) were all slaughtered and dissection took place the were also
both male and female .

IDENTIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF POULTRY( MALE AND FEMALE)

Internal organs in poultry include

 Stomach (proventiculus /Gizzard ): principally the organ where food is broken into smaller
units .It has two parts :the proventiculus for storage and the gizzard .The gizzard is a muscular
part of the stomach that uses grit to rind grains and fiber into smaller particles .
 Small intestines : Aids in digestion and nutrient absorption .composed of duodenum ,jejum and
ileum
 Liver : The largest grandular organ in the body ,Aids in metabolism of carbohydrates ,fats and
proteins ‘
 Ceca :Bacterial action in the ceca helps break down undigested food passing through the
intestine .The ceca turns into the large intestine ,which connects with the cloaca
 Large intestine :functions primarily to absorb water ,dry out indigestible foods and eliminate
waste products .
 Cloaca :Where the digestive ,urinary and reproductive systems meet
 Urinary system : consist of two kidneys and two ureters .The kidneys are located in the pelvic
bones .They filter waste from the blood and pass it through the ureter to the outside via the
cloaca /vent .
 Vent :The external opening of the cloaca that passes waste to the outside
Other parts include isthmus ,two(2) blank sacs ,gallbladder :which contains a green liquid called
bile which emulsifies fat which takes place in the U-shaped duodenum which then sends it to
the gizzard .
U-shaped duodenum ,bile flows into the U-shaped duodenum where emulsification takes place .
Mycentries : this are sheath like help hold the internal organs together firmly in place. All
organs come together to form the stomach .

Reproductive system in female poultry

 The Reproductive system of female chicken consist of the ovary and the accompanying oviduct .
The ovary consist of mass of yellowish ,rounded objects called follicles ,each containing an ovum
or yolk .
The oviduct produces the albumen ,shell membranes and the shell around the yolk to complete
the egg .the oviduct consist of five distinct parts the
 Infundibulum (or funnel ) :located adjacent to the ovary and with long segments enclosing the
ovary ,the infundibulum collects the yolk after its released from the follicle as a funnel and
directs it into the oviduct
 Magnum: usually 40cm long it secretes more than 40 percent of the albumen
 Isthmus :usually 12 in length it secretes some albumen and the shell membrane
 Uterus :usually 12 cm in length it secretes about 40 percent of the albumen
 Vagina: usually 12cm in length ,it secretes the eggs outer cuticle and possibly the shell pigment .
Measurement taken :
Egg tract -70cm
Observation : the hen was actively laying as it had an egg fully formed about to be layed as of
slaughter .

Reproductive system in male poultry

The male reproductive organ in domestic fowl consist of two testes ,each with deferent duct
that leads from the testes to the cloaca .The testes are bean shaped bodies located against the
backbone at the front of the kidney .The left tetes is often larger than right .
The deferent duct transports the sperm from the testes where they are formed to the cloaca
from which the enter the oviduct of the female when mating .In the testes very twisted tubes
called sseminiferous tubules are found .It is in these tubules that a special process of cell division
called meiosis and transformation produces sperm .

MEASUREMENT TAKEN
Spermatic cord -10cm
Left testis -4cm
Right testis -3.2cm

IDENTIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF GOAT (MALE AND FEMALE)

REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF THE MALE GOAT

The male reproductive system consists of testicles ,which produce sperm and sex hormones ,a duct
system for sperm transport ,accessory sex glands ,and the penis ,or male organ of copulation ,which
deposists semen in the female .

Male reproductive system

1. Testes : The testes are paired organs which descend from the abdominal cavity during fetal
development to lie in the scrotum .They produce the male gamates (spermatozoa) and secrete
 the male sex hormone ,testosterone .Testosterone is essential for the development of male
characteristics ,maintaining normal sexual behaviourand sperm production
2. Scrotum :The scrotum is a muscular sac containing the testes .it supports and protects the
testes and also plays a major role in temperature regulation .It maintains the temperature 3 -5c
below body temperature for optimal function .
3. Vas deferens :The vas deferens is the duct that rises from he tail of the epididymis into the
abdomen ,where it joins the urethra at the neck of the bladder .It is often referred to as the
“spermatic cord “ removal of a section of the vas deferens in each testis is known as a
vasectomy ,preventing passage of sperm from epididymis
4. Accessory sex glands : The accessory sex glands include the bulbo -urethral ,prostrate ,and
seminal vesicle glands and the ampulla .Accessory glands secrete additional fluids ,which when
combined with the sperm and other secretions from the epididymis ,form the semen .Some of
the secretions contain nutrients like fructose while others produce alkali secretion to raise the
PH of the ejaculate .These secretions are added quickly and forcibly during the mating to propel
sperm into urethra .
5. Penis :This is the final part of the male reproductive tract and its function is to deposit semen
into the vaginal tract of the female .At the end of the penis is a narrow tube called the urethral
process (“or worm) that sprays the semen in and around the cervix of the ewe /doe .The
preputial sheath protects the penis ,except during mating .

MEASUREMENT TAKEN
Testis -5.5 cm -length
3cm -width
Vas deferens -41cm
Penis -24cm -length

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The reproductive tract consists of the vulva labia ,vagina (copulatory organ ),cervix ,body of the uterus ,
uterine horns ,oviduct (also called fallopian tube )and the ovary .

Ovaries :The ovaries contain the ova (eggs) and secrete female reproductive hormones (progesterone
and estrogens ).

Oviduct :The oviduct opens like a funnel (the infundibulum ) near the ovary .The infundibulum receives
ova released from the ovary and transports them to the site of fertilization in the oviduct .The oviduct is
involved in sperm transport to the site of fertilization ,provides a proper environment for the ova and
sperm fertilization and transports the subsequent embryo to the uterus .

Uterus :The uterus consists of two separate horns (coruna) .In animals with multiple births ,each horn
can contain one or more fetuse .The uterus provides a proper environment for embryo
development ,supports development of the fetus (supplying nutrients, removing waste ,and protecting
the fetus ),and transports the fetus out of the maternal body during birth .

Cervix :The cervix is the gateway to the uterus and is a muscular canal consisting of several folds of
tissue referred to as rings .The cervix has relatively little smooth musculature .It participates in sperm
transport and during pregnancy ,blocks bacterial invasion .The mucus produced during pregnancy (also
during the luteal phase forms a plug that makes the opening through the cervix impermeable for
microorganisms and spermatozoa .

Vagina :This is the exterior portion of the female reproductive tract and is the site of semen deposition
during natural mating .

Vulva :barrier for preventing external contamination of the female reproductive tract.

IDENTIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE SYTEM OF RABBIT

In the rabbits ,the male reproductive system has two parts viz .the reproductive system has two parts viz
.the reproductive organs and accessory glands .The main organ or male gonad is testis which is present
in the scrotum .

Scrotum :The scrotum is a pouch arising from lower abdominal wall .Scrotum protects the testes and
acts as thermoregulator

Testes :Testes are primary sex organs .There are germinal epithelial cell which produce the
sperms .seminiferous tubules consists of spermatogonia (sperm mother cells ) .There are interstitial cells
of leydig which secrete the hormone testosterone

Vas deferens :These are the long tube like structure which are responsible for the transport of the
sperms .Vasa efferentia are a pair of ducts starting from the rete testis and entering in epididymis .A pair
of tubular structures arising from cauda epididymis are called vasa deferentia

Epididymis : Epididymis are paired structures which are highly coiled duct situated on the posterior
border of each testis .It is differenciated into the following three regions .caput epipdymis which is a
lower duct or tail .In the tail,sperm remains for short period and then enter the vas deferens .

Urethra :The urethra is apart which extends to form the penis .Urethra carries both urine and semen

Penis :Penis is the copulatory organ used for insemination or deposition of sperms in female genital tract
.Through the length of penis passes the urethra

Accessory sex glands

Prostate gland:This is a gland which lies dorsally around the base of uterus masculinus .It opens into
urethra by several small ducts .It whitish alkaline secretion activates the passive spermatozoa

Cowpers gland :These glands lie posterior to the prostate gland .Their secretion neutralizes acidity for
the protection of spermatozoa

Perineal glands :These are the glands which are placed behind the cowpers gland .The odour gives the
rabbit a characteristic smell

MEASUREMENT TAKEN

Testis – 3cm -left

3,5cm -right
Spermatic cord -15cm

Penis -2.5cm

Bladder-13cm

Reproductive system of female rabbit

Ovaries

The two ovaries are small ,whitish ,oval bodies ,about 2cm long .they are found behind the kidneys ,each
ovary attached to the dorsal abdominal wall by a double fold of peritoneum called mesovarium .from
the surface of ovaries project several blister -like ,small ,rounded semitransparent projections ,called
ovarian or graafian follicles ,each containing a developing ovum.Historically ,the section of a rabbit ovary
shows a peripheral layer of germinal epithelial cells surrounding a dense mass of connective tissue
firbres ,called stroma ,containing blood and lymph vesels and nerve .Stroma contains groups actively
dividing germinal cells ,called follicle in various stages of development .In each follicle ,a single cell
enlarges firswhile others surround and nourish it .it ultimately becomes oocyte orovum .The mass of
cells around oocyte is known as discusproligerous .When ripe ,the follicles are known as graafian follicles
,which project from the surface of ovary as minute bumps .Each graafian follicle contains a large fluid -
filled follicular cavity .The cells lining the cavity are termed membrane granulosa .The fully mature
oocyte is surrounded by a thick transparent memberane called zona pellucida containing yolk and fat
droplets .It is covered by another striated layer columnar cells ,called corona radiata.In the stroma there
are also found groups of interstial cells which produce sex hormones (oestrogen ).Eentually each mature
follicle burst to liberate the oocyte into body cavity ,a process known as ovulation .The follicular cells
remaining behind divide rapidly to form a yellowish solid mass of cells called corpus luteum.

Oviducts

Each oviduct opens anteriorly close to the outer border of the ovary of its side by a wide funnel called
fallopian or oviducal funnel .The opening of funnel ,or ositium ,is provided with many cilia to receive the
minuite ova release from the ovary .Funnel leads into the upper part of oviduct .It is a short ,narrow
coiled and internally cilitated duct called fallopian tube .Ova pass ,through this tube by ciliary action and
fertilization also occurs here .The fallopian tube is followed by a much wider ,longer convoluted ,thick
walled muscular tube the uterus .It is richly vascular and highly distensible and attached to the dorsal
abdominal wall muscular tube the uterus .It is richly vascular and highly disenable and attached to the
dorsal abdominal wall by a mesentery.fertilized ova or zygotes get implanted on the uterine wall to
develop into embryo or feotuses ,each attached to the placenta by an umblical cord

Vagina and Vestibula

The uteri of both the sides meet into a long wide ,median duct ,the vagina,lying dorsally upon the
urinary bladder .It opens posteriorly into the neck of bladder to join the urethre forming a short narrow
common urinogenital canal or vestibule .It runs backwards ventral to the rectum and opens to the
exterior by a slit -like aperture ,the vulva .The vagina serves to receive the penis of the male during
copulation .

Clitoris
From the anterior wall of vulva projects a small erectile knob -like clitoris .It is regarded homologous
with the male penis since since it contains a pair of erectile tissue ,the corpra cavernosa. But the urethra
does not pass through the clitoris .

Accessory glands

In the female rabbit ,there is no prostate gland .A pair of small Bartholins glands or cowpea glands lies
embedded in the dorsal wall of vestibule .Their viscid secretion lubricates the vaginal passage .The
perineal and rectal glands are as in the male

MEASUREMENT TAKEN

Bladder -4cm

IDENTIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF CATFISH

REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF MALE CATFISH

The reproductive organs of male African catfish (C.gariepinus ) consist of paired testis ,paired part of milt
duct ,unpaired part of milt duct that are surrounded by seminal vesicles and a conical papilla located
ventro -cranial to the anal region .

MEASUREMENT TAKEN

Body length _-42cm

Testicles right -3cm

Left -3.5cm

Milt -3cm

Intestine -53cm

REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF FEMALE CATFISH

The reproductive ordan in female catfish include left and right ovaries containing eggs

.MEASUREMENT TAKEN

Ovaries right -8.5cm

Ovaries left -10cm

Female body length -40.5cm

Length of gills -3.5 cm

Fish reproduce both internally and external catfish reproduce externally especially produce eggs which is
fertilized by the male .

MEAT -RETAIL CUT OR PRIMAL CUT

WHAT IS A PRIMAL CUT ?

Primal cuts are the large sections in which a butcher divides an animal carcass .These cuts are typically
separated based on the natural seams and muscles of the animal .Examples of the primal cuts include
the loin ,rib ,chuck ,and round .These are further divided into smaller ,more specific retail cuts that are
commonly found in supermarkets and butcher shops .

Primal cuts differ from retail cuts in that they are the initial sections in which the animal is
divided ,whereas retail cuts are the individual portions that are sold to consumers .Retail cuts are often
the result of further trimming and portioning of primal cuts to meet specific consumer preferences and
cooking methods.

Uderstanding the differences between primal and retail cuts is important for both consumers and food
industry professionals .primal cuts provide a basic understanding of the animals anatomy and are
essential for butchers and chef to know how to break down and utilize the entire carcass properly .On
the other hand ,retail cuts offer consumers various options for specific cooking methods and
dishes .Knowing the differences between these cuts can help you make informed decisions about the
type of meat they purchase and how they choose to prepare it .

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW PRIMAL CUTS ?

When you understand primal cuts ,you can make more informed decisions when shopping meat .By
knowing where different cuts come from ,you can better understand the quality and flavor of the
meat .This knowledge also allows you to select the best cuts for the specific dish you want to
prepare .for example ,if you are planning to make a slow -cooked stew ,you would want to opt for
tougher ,more flavorful cuts like chuck or brisket ,as opposed to tenderloin or ribeye ,which are better
suited for quick cooking methods.

Also ,understanding primal cuts is essential for achieving the perfect balance of flavor ,texture and
tenderness in your dishes .Different cuts have different levels of fat content ,marbling ,and connective
tissue and therefore require longer cooking times ,can help you avoid serving tough and chewy meat .

Finally from shopping and cooking ,understanding primal cuts is also important for budgeting .By
knowing which cuts are more prized and expensive ,and which ones are more economical ,you can make
more cost-effective decisions when planning your meals .

Primal cuts for different animals

Primal cuts are the large sections of meat from an animal that are initially separated during
butchering .These cuts are usually the first major cuts that are made and serve as the basis for further
division into retail cuts .

Primal cuts for rabbit and goats were cut during the practicals .primal cuts for goat include
neck ,shoulder or rack ,rack ,loin, leg ,flank,breaks and shanks .while primal cuts for rabbit include
shoulders ,ribs ,loins and rumps etc .

TANNING

Taninng or hide tanning ,is the process of treating skins and hides of animals to produce leather .A
tannery is the place where the skins are processed .

Tanning hide into leather involves a process which permanently alters the protein structure of
skin ,making it more durable and less susceptible to decomposition and coloring. Before tanning ,the
skin are often dehaired ,then have fat ,meat and connective tissue removed .they are then washed and
soaked in water with various compounds ,and prepared to receive a tanning agent ,They are then
soaked ,stretched ,dried and sometimes smoked .

PROCEDURE OF TANNING CARRIED OUT

A saturated solution of salt was prepared ,and the rabbit skin was immersed into the solution it was left
for 20mins for a good result.

After it was being removed and sundried properly .

GRILLING FISH

Grilling fish has the advantage of being fast ,easy ,nutritious and tasty .Fish on the grill is
easy ,delicious ,nutritious and fast .Fish it is high in omega -3 fats ,vitamins D ,protein and selenium and
low in saturated fats .Fish is good for our waistlines too .According to the united states Department of
Agriculture baked broiled or grilled fish is less than 100 calories for a 3 ounce serving .To make fish even
more flavorful ,it can be marinated .Marinate means to soak ,immerse or submerge food in a
marinade .A marinade is generally made up of three ingredients an acid ,like vinegar ,lemon
juice ,tomato juice or wine and then some cooking oil and various spices .The acid in the marinade
causes the fish tissue to breakdown and this tenderized the fish.When the tissue breaks down it holds
more liquid and .so the fish is jucier. Too much acid or marinating fish too long can make it
mushy .Marinate fish for only 30-60 minuites .Always marinate fish in the refrigerator .you can use food
rade plastic bags to marinate your fish or you can also use food grade plastic ,stainless steel or glass
containers to marinate .If you want to use the marinade that the fish was soaked in as a sauce ,you
must boil it to destroy bacteria that could make you sick . you can purchase fish whole or as steaks or
fillets .Take some time and look over the fish when you buy it. Choose fish steaks or fillets that are the
same thickness throughout ,they will cook more evenly on the grill .

To keep fish from sticking to the grill,brush the cooking surface of your grill ,or the fish ,with a little
oil ,or do both .When you oil the fish you can sprinkle on some spices for added flavor .Lay the fish on
the grill and let it cook .you can baste the fish while it is cooking with butter or oil to keep it moist .
Fillets are the most tender and can fall apart easier ,so when you are ready to turn the fish on the grill be
very gentle ,flip it once and then leave it there until you take it off the grill .Streak and whole fish hold
together better.

Another easy way to grill fish is to wrap it in foil and then place it on the grill because the foil seals in
moisture .You can make it whole meal by adding a variety of vegetables in the foil with the fish .

Fish is done cooking when it reaches 145 degrees fahrenheit .

PROCEDURE CARRIED OUT IN THE FARM

The fish was washed and marinated in spices and condiments like maggai, salt ,ginger, garlic ,and other
spices .

The fish was rolled and hooked with a stick then grilled .

It was recommended that to kill catfish easier the should be placed in a bowl and sprinkled salt and
covered with a lid .

CONCLUSION

At the end of the practical I was able to learn a lot and receive much value from the lecturers and
technicians of which I can apply : I learnt the following

I was able to identify and measure various reproductive organs of various farm animals

Also learn how to cut primal portions of meat ,tanning with salt and water ,spicing fish for grilling and
processing .