NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (NECO) 2026 LIVESTOCK FARMING MOCK EXAMINATION

Objective, Essay and Practical Questions and Answers

Independently Produced Practice Paper for Revision Purposes

This is a 100% original mock examination prepared strictly with reference to the current NECO Agricultural Science / Livestock Farming syllabus for practice purposes. It is not an NECO past question paper, it does not reproduce any official NECO document, and it does not claim to predict or represent the actual NECO examination in any way.

General Instructions

1. This paper consists of three sections: Section A (Objective), Section B (Essay) and Section C (Practical).

2. Section A contains 60 objective questions. Answer ALL questions. Time: 40 minutes.

3. Section B contains 6 essay questions. Answer any FOUR (4) questions. Time: 1 hour.

4. Section C is a practical specimen identification and management paper. Answer ALL questions. Time: 50 minutes.

5. Total marks obtainable: 140 (60 marks for Section A, 40 marks for Section B and 40 marks for Section C).

6. Write clearly and number your answers correctly.

SECTION A: OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (60 MARKS)

Answer ALL questions. Each question carries 1 mark. Choose the correct option A, B, C or D.

1. Livestock farming is best defined as the

A. cultivation of crops for sale

B. rearing of animals for economic and domestic purposes

C. processing of farm produce only

D. storage of farm products

2. Which of the following is a breed of cattle commonly found in Nigeria?

A. Large White

B. White Fulani

C. Yorkshire

D. Landrace

3. The N’dama breed of cattle is noted mainly for its

A. high milk yield

B. trypanotolerance

C. long wool

D. egg production

4. Which of the following is a dairy breed of cattle?

A. Friesian

B. White Fulani

C. N’dama

D. Sokoto Gudali

5. The Yankasa is a breed of

A. cattle

B. sheep

C. pig

D. rabbit

6. Which of the following is a breed of goat commonly reared in West Africa?

A. Saanen

B. West African Dwarf goat

C. Boer

D. Angora

7. Rhode Island Red is a breed of

A. cattle

B. poultry

C. sheep

D. pig

8. Which of the following poultry breeds is noted for high egg production?

A. Leghorn

B. Rhode Island Red

C. Plymouth Rock

D. New Hampshire

9. The Large White is a breed of

A. pig

B. goat

C. sheep

D. rabbit

10. Which of the following is a system of livestock production where animals are confined and fully dependent on the farmer for feed?

A. Extensive system

B. Intensive system

C. Nomadic system

D. Ranching system

11. The system of rearing livestock where animals graze freely over a wide area is called the

A. intensive system

B. extensive system

C. semi-intensive system

D. zero grazing system

12. Which of the following is an example of the semi-intensive system of poultry management?

A. Battery cage system

B. Free range with a night shelter

C. Deep litter system only

D. Zero grazing

13. A housing system in which poultry birds are kept on a floor covered with wood shavings or straw is called

A. battery cage system

B. deep litter system

C. free range system

D. slatted floor system

14. Which of the following is a type of housing for pigs?

A. Sty

B. Hutch

C. Coop

D. Kraal

15. A rabbit house is generally referred to as a

A. sty

B. hutch

C. coop

D. pen

16. Which of the following is an advantage of the battery cage system of poultry housing?

A. It allows birds to exercise freely

B. It reduces disease spread through litter and easy egg collection

C. It is the cheapest system to construct

D. It requires no feeding equipment

17. Feeds that are high in fibre and low in energy, such as hay and silage, are classified as

A. concentrates

B. roughages

C. additives

D. supplements

18. Feeds that are low in fibre and high in energy or protein, such as maize and groundnut cake, are classified as

A. roughages

B. concentrates

C. forages

D. browse plants

19. Which of the following is a good source of protein in livestock feed?

A. Maize

B. Groundnut cake

C. Rice husk

D. Wheat bran

20. The preservation of green forage in an airtight condition for future use is called

A. haymaking

B. silage making

C. composting

D. fermentation

21. Which of the following nutrients is required mainly for body building and repair of worn out tissues?

A. Carbohydrate

B. Protein

C. Vitamin

D. Water

22. A substance added in small quantities to livestock feed to improve growth or health is called a

A. roughage

B. feed additive

C. concentrate

D. forage

23. The period between mating and parturition in a cow is called the

A. oestrus period

B. gestation period

C. lactation period

D. weaning period

24. The gestation period of a cow is approximately

A. 114 days

B. 150 days

C. 283 days

D. 365 days

25. The gestation period of a pig is approximately

A. 114 days

B. 150 days

C. 283 days

D. 21 days

26. The recurring period during which a female animal is receptive to the male for mating is called

A. gestation

B. oestrus

C. lactation

D. parturition

27. The process of introducing semen into the reproductive tract of a female animal without natural mating is called

A. natural mating

B. artificial insemination

C. castration

D. culling

28. The removal of the testes of a male animal to prevent breeding is called

A. dehorning

B. castration

C. docking

D. debeaking

29. The process of removing part of the beak of a chick to prevent cannibalism is called

A. castration

B. debeaking

C. dehorning

D. docking

30. Which of the following is a viral disease of poultry?

A. Coccidiosis

B. Newcastle disease

C. Fowl typhoid

D. Worm infestation

31. Newcastle disease in poultry is mainly controlled by

A. antibiotics

B. vaccination

C. deworming

D. castration

32. Which of the following diseases affects cattle and is caused by a virus, characterized by fever and blisters on the mouth and feet?

A. Foot and mouth disease

B. Mastitis

C. Brucellosis

D. Coccidiosis

33. Inflammation of the udder in dairy cows, usually caused by bacteria, is known as

A. mastitis

B. brucellosis

C. anthrax

D. trypanosomiasis

34. A disease of livestock transmitted by the tsetse fly is

A. coccidiosis

B. trypanosomiasis

C. Newcastle disease

D. mastitis

35. Which of the following is an external parasite of livestock?

A. Tapeworm

B. Roundworm

C. Tick

D. Liver fluke

36. Which of the following is an internal parasite commonly found in the intestine of livestock?

A. Tick

B. Louse

C. Tapeworm

D. Mite

37. Coccidiosis in poultry mainly affects the

A. respiratory system

B. digestive system particularly the intestine

C. reproductive system

D. skeletal system

38. Which of the following is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans?

A. Brucellosis

B. Coccidiosis

C. Newcastle disease

D. Mange

39. The general term for a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans is

A. endemic disease

B. zoonotic disease

C. epidemic disease

D. congenital disease

40. Which of the following is a symptom commonly associated with sick livestock?

A. Bright eyes and shiny coat

B. Loss of appetite and dullness

C. Rapid weight gain

D. Increased milk yield

41. The practice of removing weak, sick, or unproductive animals from a herd is called

A. breeding

B. culling

C. weaning

D. vaccination

42. Which of the following equipment is used for restraining cattle during treatment or examination?

A. Crush

B. Hutch

C. Brooder

D. Incubator

43. An artificial device used to hatch eggs under controlled temperature and humidity is called an

A. incubator

B. brooder

C. candler

D. crush

44. A device used to provide warmth for young chicks after hatching is called a

A. candler

B. brooder

C. incubator

D. crush

45. The device used to check the fertility and development of an egg by holding it against a light source is called an

A. incubator

B. brooder

C. egg candler

D. crush

46. The rope or leather device used to lead or control a large animal such as a cow is called a

A. halter

B. hutch

C. crate

D. coop

47. Which of the following is a major product obtained from cattle?

A. Wool

B. Milk

C. Eggs

D. Honey

48. Which of the following animals is the major source of wool?

A. Goat

B. Sheep

C. Pig

D. Rabbit

49. The process of separating the fleece from a sheep is called

A. milking

B. shearing

C. shelling

D. docking

50. Which of the following is a by-product obtained from livestock after slaughter, used in the leather industry?

A. Hide and skin

B. Milk

C. Egg

D. Wool

51. The record that shows the daily or periodic income and expenditure on a livestock farm is called a

A. breeding record

B. feeding record

C. financial record

D. health record

52. A record kept to show the parentage, birth date and performance of an animal is called a

A. breeding record

B. cash book

C. sales record

D. health record

53. Which of the following is an economic importance of livestock farming?

A. Provision of employment

B. Provision of manure for crops

C. Source of foreign exchange through export

D. All of the above

54. Which of the following is a factor to consider when selecting a site for livestock housing?

A. Nearness to the market and good drainage

B. Distance from all roads

C. Absence of water supply

D. Location in a flood-prone area

55. Which of the following is a good management practice to prevent the spread of disease on a livestock farm?

A. Overcrowding of animals

B. Regular cleaning and disinfection of pens

C. Sharing water troughs with sick animals

D. Avoiding vaccination

56. The weaning of young animals refers to

A. their separation from the mother and withdrawal of milk feeding

B. their sale in the market

C. their vaccination against diseases

D. their castration

57. Which of the following is a method of identifying livestock on a farm?

A. Ear tagging

B. Branding

C. Tattooing

D. All of the above

58. The period during which a female mammal produces milk after giving birth is called the

A. gestation period

B. lactation period

C. oestrus period

D. incubation period

59. Which of the following best describes crossbreeding in livestock production?

A. Mating of animals of the same breed

B. Mating of animals of different breeds to combine desirable traits

C. Mating of animals of different species

D. Removal of unproductive animals

60. Which of the following is a marketing channel through which livestock farmers sell their animals?

A. Local livestock markets

B. Cooperative societies

C. Middlemen and agents

D. All of the above

SECTION A MARKING GUIDE: OBJECTIVE ANSWER KEY

Each correct answer carries 1 mark. Total = 60 marks.

Q	Ans	Q	Ans	Q	Ans	Q	Ans
1	B	16	B	31	B	46	A
2	B	17	B	32	A	47	B
3	B	18	B	33	A	48	B
4	A	19	B	34	B	49	B
5	B	20	B	35	C	50	A
6	B	21	B	36	C	51	C
7	B	22	B	37	B	52	A
8	A	23	B	38	A	53	D
9	A	24	C	39	B	54	A
10	B	25	A	40	B	55	B
11	B	26	B	41	B	56	A
12	B	27	B	42	A	57	D
13	B	28	B	43	A	58	B
14	A	29	B	44	B	59	B
15	B	30	B	45	C	60	D

SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS (40 MARKS)

Answer any FOUR (4) questions only. Each question carries 10 marks.

1. (a) Define livestock farming. (2 marks)

(b) State four economic importance of livestock farming to the Nigerian economy. (8 marks)

2. (a) List four breeds each of cattle and poultry commonly reared in Nigeria. (4 marks)

(b) State two distinguishing characteristics of the White Fulani cattle and two of the N’dama cattle. (6 marks)

3. (a) Distinguish between the intensive and extensive systems of livestock production. (4 marks)

(b) State three advantages and two disadvantages of the intensive system. (6 marks)

4. (a) List four classes of nutrients required by livestock. (4 marks)

(b) State three functions of protein and three functions of water in animal nutrition. (6 marks)

5. (a) Name four common diseases of livestock in Nigeria, stating the type of animal each affects. (4 marks)

(b) Describe the causes, symptoms and control measures of Newcastle disease in poultry. (6 marks)

6. (a) Define artificial insemination. (2 marks)

(b) State four advantages and two disadvantages of artificial insemination in livestock production. (8 marks)

SECTION B MARKING GUIDE (ESSAY)

Each question carries 10 marks. Award marks as guided below, giving credit for any other correct and relevant point not listed.

Question 1

(a) Livestock farming is the rearing and management of domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and rabbits for economic, nutritional and domestic purposes. (2 marks for a reasonable, complete definition)

(b) Any four points at 2 marks each:

1. Provision of employment: Livestock farming creates jobs for farmers, feed producers, veterinary personnel and marketers.

2. Source of income and foreign exchange: Farmers earn income from the sale of animals and animal products, some of which are exported.

3. Source of food: Livestock provide meat, milk, and eggs which supply protein and other nutrients to the population.

4. Provision of raw materials: Livestock supply raw materials such as hides, skin and wool for agro-based industries.

5. Provision of manure: Animal waste is used as organic manure to improve soil fertility for crop production.

6. Provision of draught power: Animals such as cattle are used for ploughing and transportation in some farming systems.

(Award marks for any four correctly stated and briefly explained points.)

Question 2

(a) Cattle breeds (2 marks for any four): White Fulani, N’dama, Sokoto Gudali, Muturu, Kuri, Friesian (exotic).

Poultry breeds (2 marks for any four): Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Plymouth Rock, New Hampshire, Fulani ecotype (local chicken).

(b) White Fulani characteristics (any two at 1.5 marks each): Large body size with long horns; light grey to white coat colour; humped back; kept mainly for meat and some milk; well adapted to trekking long distances.

N’dama characteristics (any two at 1.5 marks each): Small to medium body size; trypanotolerant, meaning it resists trypanosomiasis carried by tsetse flies; short horns; reddish brown to fawn coat colour; well suited to the humid tsetse-infested zones of West Africa.

Question 3

(a) The intensive system involves keeping animals fully confined in pens, cages or houses where they depend entirely on the farmer for feed, water and management, allowing close monitoring and higher stocking density. The extensive system involves allowing animals to roam and graze freely over a wide area of land with minimal confinement and management input. (4 marks for a clear, correct distinction)

(b) Advantages of the intensive system (any three at 1 mark each): Allows close monitoring and control of animal health; permits higher stocking density and production per unit area; makes feeding, breeding and disease control easier; produce can be obtained all year round; reduces losses to predators and theft.

Disadvantages (any two at 1.5 marks each): High cost of feeding since all feed must be supplied by the farmer; high initial cost of housing and equipment; requires skilled labour and constant management; risk of rapid disease spread due to overcrowding if hygiene is poor.

Question 4

(a) Any four (1 mark each): Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and oils (lipids), Vitamins, Minerals, Water.

(b) Functions of protein (any three at 1 mark each): Builds and repairs body tissues; forms enzymes, hormones and antibodies; supports growth of young and unproductive animals; contributes to milk, egg and wool production; can be used as a source of energy when in excess.

Functions of water (any three at 1 mark each): Acts as a solvent for digestion and transport of nutrients; regulates body temperature; forms a major component of blood, milk and body fluids; aids in the removal of waste products from the body; essential for all metabolic reactions in the body.

Question 5

(a) Any four (1 mark each): Newcastle disease (poultry), Foot and mouth disease (cattle, sheep, goats), Mastitis (dairy cows), Coccidiosis (poultry and rabbits), Brucellosis (cattle), Trypanosomiasis (cattle), Peste des petits ruminants/PPR (sheep and goats).

(b) Cause: Newcastle disease is caused by a virus that spreads rapidly among poultry through contact, contaminated feed, water, droppings or equipment. (1.5 marks)

Symptoms (any two at 1 mark each): Sudden drop in egg production; greenish watery diarrhoea; twisting of the neck and head (torticollis); gasping, coughing and laboured breathing; high mortality rate within a short time.

Control measures (any three at 1 mark each): Regular vaccination of birds according to schedule; isolation and prompt disposal of infected or dead birds; disinfection of pens, equipment and footwear; restriction of movement of visitors and new birds into the farm; proper disposal of litter and droppings.

Question 6

(a) Artificial insemination is the technique of introducing collected semen from a male animal into the reproductive tract of a female animal by mechanical means, without natural mating, in order to achieve fertilisation. (2 marks)

(b) Advantages (any four at 1.5 marks each): Allows use of semen from genetically superior males to improve the herd; reduces the cost and risk of keeping and transporting breeding males; helps control the spread of venereal diseases between animals; semen can be stored and transported over long distances and used over a long period; allows more females to be served by one superior male than natural mating would permit.

Disadvantages (any two at 1 mark each): Requires skilled personnel and special equipment; can be costly to set up and maintain; requires accurate detection of oestrus for success; risk of over-use of a single sire reducing genetic diversity if not properly managed.

SECTION C: PRACTICAL SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT (40 MARKS)

Study the descriptions of Specimens A to F below carefully, then answer the questions that follow. (This section replaces physical specimens with detailed written descriptions for practice purposes, since candidates cannot be issued real specimens in a written mock examination.)

Specimen A: A metal instrument with two arms joined at a hinge, used on a livestock farm to record the body weight of feed or of small animals by placing them on its pan and reading the value on a calibrated dial.

Specimen B: A brown, flaky, solid feed material obtained after oil has been extracted from cottonseed, packaged in sacks and mixed into rations to boost the protein content of livestock feed.

Specimen C: The foot of a matured ram brought for routine health inspection, showing an unusually long, curled and overgrown hoof that has not been trimmed for a long period.

Specimen D: An adult female rabbit (doe) observed pulling out fur from her own body to line a nest box, with visibly enlarged and reddened mammary glands, about 30 days after being mated.

Specimen E: A small, flattened, dark brown, blood-sucking creature found firmly attached to the skin around the ear and neck region of a grazing cow.

Specimen F: A small box-like device containing a bright bulb, with a hole on one side into which an egg is placed and held up so its internal contents can be viewed against the light.

Answer ALL questions.

1. Identify Specimens A to F. (6 marks)

2. Classify each specimen under one of the following: farm tool/equipment, feedstuff, livestock, external parasite. (6 marks)

3. State two uses of Specimen A on a livestock farm. (4 marks)

4. Name the class of feed to which Specimen B belongs and state two of its functions in animal nutrition. (4 marks)

5. Describe the condition observed in Specimen C and state two management practices needed to correct or prevent it. (5 marks)

6. State the physiological state of the animal in Specimen D and state two management practices required at this stage. (5 marks)

7. State the class of parasite to which Specimen E belongs, name one disease it can transmit to cattle, and state two methods of controlling it. (6 marks)

8. State the use of Specimen F and name the farming enterprise in which it is commonly used. (4 marks)

SECTION C MARKING GUIDE (PRACTICAL)

Award marks as guided below, giving credit for any other correct and relevant identification or point not listed.

1. Identification (1 mark each): A: Weighing scale/balance. B: Cottonseed cake. C: Hoof of a ram (overgrown/untrimmed hoof). D: A pregnant/kindling doe (rabbit near parturition). E: A tick. F: An egg candler.

2. Classification (1 mark each): A: Farm tool/equipment. B: Feedstuff (concentrate). C: Livestock (part of a live animal, sheep). D: Livestock (rabbit). E: External parasite. F: Farm tool/equipment.

3. Uses of the weighing scale (any two at 2 marks each): Used to measure and monitor the body weight of animals to assess growth rate and health status; used to weigh feed ingredients accurately for ration formulation; used to determine the correct dosage of drugs or vaccines based on body weight.

4. Class of feed and functions: Cottonseed cake belongs to the class of concentrates, specifically protein concentrates (2 marks). Functions (any two at 1 mark each): Supplies protein needed for growth, tissue repair and production of milk, meat and eggs; supplies some energy and oil to the diet; improves the overall nutritive balance of a mixed ration.

5. Condition and management: The condition observed is an overgrown or untrimmed hoof which can cause the animal to limp, develop foot deformities or become predisposed to foot rot (2 marks). Management practices (any two at 1.5 marks each): Regular trimming of the hooves using a hoof knife or shears; provision of a dry, clean floor or foot bath to prevent infection; regular inspection of the feet during routine health checks.

6. Physiological state and management: The doe is in late pregnancy approaching parturition (kindling), shown by nest building and fur pulling behaviour along with mammary gland development (2 marks). Management practices (any two at 1.5 marks each): Provide a clean, quiet nest box with adequate bedding material; increase the plane of nutrition, especially protein and water intake, to support the developing litter; avoid unnecessary handling or disturbance close to kindling; ensure the hutch is well ventilated and free from draughts.

7. Parasite class and control: Specimen E belongs to the class of external parasites known as arachnids (ticks) (2 marks). Disease transmitted (1 mark): Babesiosis (tick fever) or anaplasmosis, either of which is acceptable. Control methods (any two at 1.5 marks each): Regular spraying or dipping of animals with approved acaricides; hand-picking and destruction of ticks found on animals; rotational grazing to break the tick life cycle; keeping pens and pastures clean and clearing bushes where ticks breed.

8. Use of egg candler: It is used to check the fertility, freshness and internal quality of an egg by viewing its contents against a light source, and to detect cracked shells or blood spots (2 marks). It is commonly used in the poultry/hatchery enterprise, particularly during incubation to monitor embryo development (2 marks).