Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #11

Due to increased needs for agricultural products, means have to be crafted wether naturally or artificially to ensure that supply of such agricultural product is continuous. One of these processes is called Mating.

Animal Mating is simply a process/processes in which animals reproduce. It is an important part of agriculture as it ensures that we have continuous supply of animals for our use.

The most basic and primary purpose of animal mating is to ensure REPRODUCTION which is a very important part of the animal life cycle.

As agriculturist the following are the Benefits of animal mating:

• Continous supply of livestock:: When animals mate it leads to reproduction and eventually conception of offsprings which would ensure that, the agriculturist has a continuous supply of the animal.

• Improved Animal Breeds Animal mating is one way an agriculturist can get the best breeds of livestock.
  For example; The N'dama cow breed is highly disease resistant and has high milk production. However it has poor meet quality and low heat tolerance. However, The Boran however is an excellent meat producer with a quick growth rate. It also has better tolerance to heat.
  Mating this two would bring offsprings (calves) that mature very quickly and are resistant to heat and disease.
  This ensures that the agriculturist has the best breeds.

• Protection of Endangered Species: Some species such as seals, penguins and other livestocks are fast fading away. Mating these livestocks ensure that they are preserved and increased in numbers.

• Reduced Disease rate: When more disease resistant animal breeds are mated with less resistant breeds; thier offsprings become disease resistant and even the less resistant parents eventually grows slightly resistant

Like humans, animals can be monogamous or polygamous.

• Monogamous Mating occurs when one male animal mates with one female animal, together they form a pair and live together till death do them part.
  A vivid example is found among the pigeons, the doves, the Swan and even the wolves. These animals go through long processes to attract their mate and when they finally do, they stick with them for the rest of their lives.

• Polygamous Mating unlike the first, polygamous mating, a male can mates with multiple female species(polyandry) or the female can mate with multiple male species.(Polygyny).
  **Examples include; Some deers, peackoks, pheasants(polyandry) and bees, clownfish and even the angle fish(polygyny).

To make the most out of agriculture, It is important we understand the concept behind them. Thanks to @hive-118902 , I've learnt about mating in animals, I hope we do enjoy reading through. Special invite to my friends @nsijoro, @d-wings and @basil20.

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