(a) Definition of terms as used in Animal Health
(i) Pests: Pests are organisms, which through their feeding habits, cause physical damage and/or discomfort to other organisms called hosts,
(ii) Pathogens: These are micro-organisms that cause diseases in farm animals
(iii) Vectors: Vectors are also pests, which besides causing physical damage to the host, transmit disease causing organisms to farm animals.
(iv) Parasites: Parasites are a class of organisms that five on or in their host permanently. They establish a physiological relationship with the hosts and rely on them totally for food and protection.
(b) Examples of Pests: - Mites, Lice, Ticks, Houseflies, Mosquitoes, Sandflies, Tsetse flies
Pathogens: - Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Protozoa
Vectors: - Tsetseflies, Ticks, Mites, Fleas
Parasites: - Ticks, Dice, Mites, Fleas, Liverflukes, Tapeworms - Roundworms.
(c) Steps involved in silage making:
Dig the silage pit
Cut the fresh grass/forage before flowering
Wilt for few hours/day
Collect the wilted forage and lay it at the bottom of the pit to a reasonable level
Add ash/urea sprinkled on it
Compress and add another layer of wilted forage, compress and add further ash/urea-fertilizer
Add more wilted forage, ash/urea and compress until pit is filled
Finally compress and then cover with tarpaulin or plastic polythene sheet
Leave to ferment with minimum of 2 - 4 weeks