Abstract:
For farming families who are struggling to earn a living, livestock health may not be
their greatest priority. Keeping their own family members fed and healthy will
naturally be their first concern. However, it is widely recognised that rearing healthy
livestock offers many poor families a way out of their poverty. Healthy livestock are
productive livestock, not only providing food and income from their meat, milk and
eggs, but also providing labour for farming and transport, and manure as a source of
fertilizer and fuel. Livestock can also be a way for farmers to save and build their
capital. Smaller animals such as sheep and goats are particularly valuable for poorer
families, as individual animals can easily be sold when money is needed by the
family.