Breeds of Livestock

12 Grade 10 Agriculture questions on Breeds of Livestock, with worked marking schemes. 12 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   4 marks

   Outline four characteristics of the Dorper sheep that make it a suitable meat breed for a farmer in Laikipia.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any FOUR, 1 mark each: - It is hardy and withstands heat, drought and a wide range of altitudes. - It grows fast and matures early, so lambs reach slaughter weight within a short time. - It has a short hair coat that is shed naturally, so no shearing is needed. - The ewes are prolific and can lamb more than once in a year, and they are good mothers. - It browses and grazes a wide range of plants, so it does well on poor natural pasture. - It gives a well fleshed, good quality mutton carcass with a heavy dressing percentage.

2. Question 2

   2 marks

   Distinguish between a breed and a strain as used in livestock production.

   (2 marks)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   Which of the following is a beef breed of cattle well adapted to the hot, dry rangelands of Kenya?

   A. Boran

   B. Guernsey

   C. Jersey

   D. Ayrshire

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   2 marks

   Suggest two reasons why a pig farmer in Kikuyu supplying a bacon factory would choose the Landrace rather than the Duroc.

   (2 marks)

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5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Merino sheep are kept mainly for one product. Which product is it?

   A. Mutton

   B. Milk

   C. Fine wool

   D. Hides for leather

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   A dairy farmer in Limuru keeps a large black and white breed that gives very high milk yields but does poorly in hot, dry areas and is easily attacked by tick-borne diseases. Which breed is this?

   A. Boran

   B. Sahiwal

   C. Zebu

   D. Friesian

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A farmer in Kajiado wants a goat breed kept mainly for milk that is hardy in the local semi-arid conditions. Which breed should be recommended?

   A. Toggenburg

   B. Angora

   C. Galla

   D. Boer

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   4 marks

   State four characteristics of a good layer strain of chicken.

   (4 marks)

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9. Question 9

   6 marks

   Explain three factors a farmer in Kiambu should consider before choosing a dairy breed to keep.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any THREE factors: 1 mark for the factor and 1 mark for the explanation (2 marks each). - Climate of the area (1) because a breed such as the Friesian thrives in the cool highlands but suffers heat stress in hot areas (1). - Availability and cost of feed (1) because high-yielding breeds need large amounts of quality feed and lose condition when it cannot be supplied (1). - Size of land available (1) because a small plot suits zero grazing with a smaller breed such as the Jersey rather than a large herd (1). - Market demand (1) because a market paying on butterfat favours the Jersey or Guernsey, while one paying on volume favours the Friesian (1). - Disease prevalence in the area (1) because exotic breeds are more susceptible to tick-borne diseases, raising treatment costs (1). - Capital available (1) because pedigree exotic stock and the housing they need cost far more to buy and maintain (1).

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes a dual-purpose breed from a specialised breed?

    A. A dual-purpose breed always produces more of each product than a specialised breed

    B. A dual-purpose breed can be kept by two farmers at the same time

    C. A dual-purpose breed is the offspring of two different species

    D. A dual-purpose breed produces two products at useful levels, while a specialised breed excels at one

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    3 marks

    A farmer in Isiolo wishes to start a dairy enterprise, but the area is hot, dry and has a heavy tick challenge. Explain why the Sahiwal would be more suitable than the Jersey.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any THREE, 1 mark each: - The Sahiwal is a tropical Zebu-type breed that tolerates high temperatures, while the Jersey suffers heat stress. - The Sahiwal has greater tolerance of ticks and tick-borne diseases, so treatment costs and deaths are lower. - The Sahiwal maintains production on the poorer pasture and browse available in dry areas, while the Jersey needs good quality feed. - The Sahiwal can trek long distances to water and pasture and withstands water shortage better.

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    A poultry farmer in Thika buys chicks of a strain that reaches market weight in about six weeks but lays very few eggs. This strain is best described as a:

    A. Dual-purpose strain

    B. Broiler strain

    C. Layer strain

    D. Indigenous strain

    (1 mark)

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