Animal Science

I found this field objective. You do not need much of analysis only be sure to learn facts as many as you can. Here I can say that the use of Q&A reviewers of different sources can make you pass the exam. Uhhh, do not forget the scientific names of common domesticated animals. Its so shameful to tell you that I do not know the scientific name of a pig, being not a pork eater seemed that I totally disregarded the existence of that pig. It is acceptable then for me to swear, “Baboy talaga! Baboy! Di ko alam ang scientific name ng baboy!” (lol). Well, two hours after I learned that it is Sus scrofa.

Remember the simple calculations in animal science. Do not forget your Pearson square in computing your feed formulation. Do not forget also the computation for the expected date of farrowing, calving, etc. To determine that be sure to know the days of conception/gestation of different farm animals. I found it useful also in this type of question the nursery rhyme, “Thirty days have September, April, June, and November. All the rest have thirty one except February has 28”. The question can be tricky when a day, or 2-3 days difference when February is included in the gestation period to be computed. Take note of the year also, there can be choices that are the same but differs only in the year, and the right answer can be letter D, when the seemed correct is A. Check all the choices first before shading your final answer. Take note also when the question will be twisted. Instead of asking the expected date of farrowing (i.e. example), the date of fertilization/conception/or breeding schedule will be asked.

There were questions also on meat processing, slaughtering, and the like. It is another section of animal science that I did not learn during my undergraduate times. I found it useful the booklet of PCARRD on meat processing. There are terminologies that quite different from my pre-conceived definition of terms. Check the different types of hams, the different chunks of meat, portion of that cuts that are best for a particular dish (i.e. what is the best part of the meat cut for steak). Remember also the technical terms for meats of the different animals.

Review your reproduction, all on breeding, genetics, include the molecular aspect. We don’t know if the contributors will include questions with molecular thing as this is the trend now. Brace your self also with this molecular thing.

Of course, do not forget t the basics of animal production (goat, ruminants, swine, poultry).

In anatomy, be sure to review the different parts. Do you remember the different stomachs of ruminants? How about the rabbit, what is its stomach-type? Where is the gizzard of the horse located? One more thing, the bones… Review the classification, features, and functions of the bone.

Review the common poultry and ruminant diseases.

I think hard work pays. I was not confident with my animal science because I am not an animal science major, and I almost forgot what I learned during my undergrad times. So, I forced myself to stretch my review schedule for animal science. I got my highest rating in this subject.

If you see one wrong with what I stated above, then you have 1% assurance of passing the exam.


Links:

Mind setting for the agriculture board exam
Examination Guide
Crop Protection
Economics and Agricultural Marketing

Economics and Agricultural Marketing

I was fortunate that I was able to review much on this field although my grade is not relatively higher. Yet, I can consider that it is equitably enough considering the length of year that the last time I had my subjects on Economics. In addition, I could not remember that we had agricultural marketing subject during my time. Or was I absent when agricultural marketing was discussed? As far as I can remember, the agricultural marketing or even marketing alone is a new concept for me.

As a hint, be sure to read the book of Maria Eden Piadozo of UPLB on Agricultural Marketing. In the exam last year, 70% of the questions seemed to be coming from the concepts/topics discussed in the book. The book was so beneficial for me. I hope you can get one.

If you cannot get a copy of the book, just be sure to review the concept of law of supply and demand, the different elasticity, the price elasticity of supply, price elasticity of demand, income elasticity, etc. Before, I thought the law of supply and demand was very simple. Last year, I learned that that was only the tip of the real thing. When I had the opportunity to dig deeper, I learned that the simple law and demand was made complicated as its applications were presented. I suggest, review the determinants of supply and demand; the effect or consequence/relationship of the law of supply and demand to price as affected by time (short and long run); the different cases of supply elasticity. If you are confident that you understood these concepts, you have already an edge for this field.

In addition, learn also the simple computations for price determination. Review price, pricing variation and how prices are determined. Be sure also to differentiate the different types of products.

In relation to that market, marketing system, agricultural marketing system, marketing channels, marketing margins, marketing efficiency, marketing function are some of the must have to be reviewed.

Links:

Mind setting for the agriculture board exam

Examination Guide

Crop Protection