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NYSTCE Agriculture CST study materials
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NYSTCE Agriculture CST practice questions

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Question 1Agriculture

A grower wants to reduce soil erosion on a sloping field between cash-crop seasons. Which practice most directly achieves this by maintaining living ground cover?

  1. Planting a cover crop such as cereal rye after harvest Correct answer.
  2. Deep plowing the field in the fall
  3. Removing crop residue by baling all stubble
  4. Applying anhydrous ammonia before planting

Explanation

Cover crops keep living roots and canopy on the soil surface during otherwise bare periods, reducing raindrop impact and sheet erosion. Cereal rye is a common winter cover because it germinates reliably and produces abundant biomass. The other practices either expose soil or remove protective residue.

Question 2Agriculture

In a beef cattle operation, which breeding system mates animals of the same breed to fix desirable traits within that breed?

  1. Rotational crossing
  2. Crossbreeding
  3. Purebred breeding Correct answer.
  4. Terminal crossing

Explanation

Purebred breeding involves mating registered animals of the same breed to stabilize and improve traits within that breed. Crossbreeding and rotational systems combine different breeds to capture heterosis. Terminal crossing uses a different breed sire specifically to maximize market offspring performance.

Question 3Agriculture

A producer notices that a field's soil pH has dropped to 5.2 and wants to raise it for a legume crop. Which material is the standard agricultural amendment?

  1. Elemental sulfur
  2. Ammonium sulfate
  3. Gypsum
  4. Agricultural lime Correct answer.

Explanation

Agricultural lime (calcium carbonate) neutralizes soil acidity and raises pH, improving nutrient availability for legumes like alfalfa. Elemental sulfur and ammonium sulfate are acidifying materials. Gypsum supplies calcium and sulfur but does not raise pH appreciably.

Question 4Agriculture

Which plant family is characterized by having bacteria-filled root nodules that fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with Rhizobium?

  1. Solanaceae (nightshades)
  2. Fabaceae (legumes) Correct answer.
  3. Poaceae (grasses)
  4. Brassicaceae (mustards)

Explanation

Legumes in the Fabaceae family form symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules, converting atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms. Grasses, mustards, and nightshades do not form these nitrogen-fixing nodules. This is why legumes are commonly used in rotations.

Question 5Agriculture

A dairy producer wants to store high-moisture chopped corn for anaerobic fermentation. Which storage structure is designed for this purpose?

  1. Compost windrow
  2. Grain bin
  3. Hay barn
  4. Silo or bunker Correct answer.

Explanation

Silos and bunkers allow chopped forage to be packed and sealed so anaerobic bacteria produce lactic acid, preserving the feed. Grain bins dry and store grain rather than ferment forage. Hay barns store dry forage, and compost windrows are for aerobic decomposition.

Question 6Agriculture

Which term describes the process of preparing a seedbed so that soil is firm beneath and fine above, encouraging uniform seed-to-soil contact?

  1. Seedbed preparation Correct answer.
  2. Roguing
  3. Scarification
  4. Fertigation

Explanation

Seedbed preparation creates a firm, fine-textured surface layer that promotes even germination and root establishment. Fertigation is fertilizer delivery through irrigation water. Roguing removes off-type plants, and scarification breaks seed dormancy.

Question 7Agriculture

A grower wants to reduce pesticide resistance in an insect population. Which approach best supports integrated pest management?

  1. Increasing the labeled rate to ensure complete kill
  2. Rotating modes of action and scouting before spraying Correct answer.
  3. Treating fields on a fixed calendar regardless of pest presence
  4. Applying the same insecticide weekly throughout the season

Explanation

IPM relies on monitoring pest populations and rotating insecticide modes of action to slow resistance development. Calendar spraying and repeated use of one product select for resistant individuals. Exceeding labeled rates is illegal and does not prevent resistance.

Question 8Agriculture

Which agricultural career primarily involves inspecting and grading commodities like grain and produce for quality standards?

  1. Commodity grader Correct answer.
  2. Extension educator
  3. Soil conservationist
  4. Agronomist

Explanation

Commodity graders assess grain, produce, and other agricultural products against official quality standards. Agronomists focus on crop and soil management, extension educators deliver research-based outreach, and soil conservationists plan erosion-control practices.

Question 9Agriculture

A farmer applies 150 pounds of a 20-10-10 fertilizer blend to one acre. Approximately how many pounds of nitrogen are applied per acre?

  1. 50 pounds
  2. 30 pounds Correct answer.
  3. 20 pounds
  4. 15 pounds

Explanation

The first number in the fertilizer grade is the percent nitrogen. Twenty percent of 150 pounds equals 30 pounds of actual nitrogen. The remaining numbers refer to phosphate and potash percentages.

Question 10Agriculture

A herd of 40 cows is expected to consume 2.5 percent of body weight daily in dry matter, with an average weight of 1,200 pounds. What is the approximate daily dry matter intake for the herd?

  1. 3,000 pounds
  2. 1,200 pounds Correct answer.
  3. 2,400 pounds
  4. 600 pounds

Explanation

Each cow consumes 0.025 × 1,200 = 30 pounds of dry matter daily. Multiplying by 40 cows gives 1,200 pounds per day for the herd. This calculation guides forage inventory planning.

Question 11Agriculture

Which reproductive hormone is responsible for triggering ovulation in female livestock and is commonly used in synchronization protocols?

  1. Progesterone
  2. Luteinizing hormone Correct answer.
  3. Prolactin
  4. Oxytocin

Explanation

Luteinizing hormone surges before ovulation and induces follicle rupture and egg release. Progesterone maintains pregnancy and suppresses estrus, while oxytocin drives milk letdown and uterine contractions. Prolactin supports lactation.

Question 12Agriculture

A crop rotation alternating corn and soybeans improves soil nitrogen because soybeans:

  1. Fix atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules Correct answer.
  2. Absorb excess nitrate from groundwater
  3. Release nitrogen from decomposing residue in the following year
  4. Require no phosphorus fertilizer

Explanation

Soybeans form symbiotic nodules with Bradyrhizobium that fix atmospheric nitrogen, leaving nitrogen in residue for the next corn crop. Residue decomposition releases some nitrogen, but the source is the fixation process itself. Soybeans still require phosphorus and other nutrients.

Question 13Agriculture

Which type of irrigation system applies water most efficiently in terms of minimizing evaporation and runoff when properly managed?

  1. Sprinkler irrigation
  2. Drip irrigation Correct answer.
  3. Flood irrigation
  4. Furrow irrigation

Explanation

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone through emitters, minimizing evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation. Furrow and flood systems rely on surface flow and are less efficient. Sprinklers lose water to evaporation and wind drift.

Question 14Agriculture

A greenhouse grower wants to manage photoperiod to induce flowering in a short-day plant. Which practice is appropriate?

  1. Increase carbon dioxide to 1,000 ppm
  2. Raise the temperature to 85°F at night
  3. Extend the day length with artificial lighting to 16 hours
  4. Use blackout curtains to provide a long dark period Correct answer.

Explanation

Short-day plants flower when the dark period exceeds a critical length, so blackout curtains extend uninterrupted darkness. Extending day length with lights would promote long-day plants instead. Carbon dioxide and temperature affect growth but not photoperiodic induction.

Question 15Agriculture

Which marketing arrangement involves a producer selling directly to consumers through a seasonal, recurring market where vendors rent stalls?

  1. Farmers market Correct answer.
  2. Forward contract
  3. Commodity exchange
  4. Futures contract

Explanation

Farmers markets are recurring direct-to-consumer outlets where producers rent stalls and sell their products locally. Futures and forward contracts are agreements for future delivery through commodity channels. Exchanges facilitate standardized commodity trading.

Question 16Agriculture

A poultry producer wants to reduce the risk of Salmonella in a flock. Which practice is most consistent with on-farm biosecurity and food safety?

  1. Storing feed on the floor of the barn
  2. Allowing visitors to walk freely through barns
  3. Cleaning and disinfecting equipment between flocks Correct answer.
  4. Mixing young and older birds in the same barn

Explanation

Cleaning and disinfecting between flocks reduces pathogen carryover and is a core biosecurity practice. Restricting visitor traffic and separating age groups also limit disease introduction and spread. Feed stored on the floor risks contamination by rodents and moisture.

Question 17Agriculture

Which soil texture class generally has the highest water-holding capacity while still draining adequately for most crops?

  1. Coarse sand
  2. Gravel
  3. Silt loam Correct answer.
  4. Sandy loam

Explanation

Silt loam contains a balanced mix of silt, sand, and clay that retains water well while allowing drainage and aeration. Coarse sand and gravel drain quickly and hold little water. Sandy loam holds less water than silt loam.

Question 18Agriculture

A producer uses a no-till system. Which benefit is most directly associated with this practice compared with conventional tillage?

  1. Faster soil warming in spring
  2. Increased soil organic matter and reduced erosion Correct answer.
  3. Elimination of all weed pressure
  4. Greater reliance on moldboard plowing

Explanation

No-till leaves residue on the surface, which builds organic matter and protects soil from erosion. It often warms more slowly in spring and typically increases reliance on herbicides or other weed management. Moldboard plowing is the opposite of no-till.

Question 19Agriculture

A farmer notices yellowing between the veins of younger corn leaves. Which nutrient deficiency is most consistent with this symptom?

  1. Sulfur Correct answer.
  2. Nitrogen
  3. Potassium
  4. Phosphorus

Explanation

Sulfur is immobile in plants, so deficiency appears first on younger leaves as interveinal yellowing. Nitrogen deficiency typically appears on older leaves because nitrogen is mobile. Phosphorus deficiency causes purpling, and potassium deficiency causes marginal leaf scorch.

Question 20Agriculture

Which grazing management strategy involves moving livestock frequently to fresh paddocks and allowing previously grazed areas to recover?

  1. Set stocking
  2. Rotational grazing Correct answer.
  3. Continuous grazing
  4. Season-long grazing

Explanation

Rotational grazing cycles livestock through paddocks so forage can regrow, improving pasture persistence and distribution of manure. Continuous and season-long grazing keep animals on the same area, which can lead to overgrazing. Set stocking fixes animal numbers on a pasture.

Question 21Agriculture

A seed company wants to ensure genetic purity of a hybrid corn line by preventing cross-pollination from neighboring fields. Which practice is most appropriate?

  1. Applying a broad-spectrum fungicide
  2. Isolation by distance or timing of planting Correct answer.
  3. Harvesting earlier than the surrounding fields
  4. Increasing plant density beyond recommendations

Explanation

Corn is wind-pollinated, so isolation by distance or by planting dates that stagger pollen shed prevents unwanted cross-pollination. Fungicides, density changes, and harvest timing do not prevent pollen movement. Isolation is a standard seed production requirement.

Question 22Agriculture

A producer is comparing a futures hedge to a cash sale. Which statement best explains the role of basis in marketing decisions?

  1. Basis is the fee paid to a commodity broker
  2. Basis is the total cost of transporting grain to market
  3. Basis is the interest rate charged on storage loans
  4. Basis is the difference between the local cash price and the futures price Correct answer.

Explanation

Basis equals the local cash price minus the relevant futures price and reflects local supply, demand, and transportation conditions. Producers monitor basis to decide when to sell cash grain or lift a hedge. It is not a transport cost, interest rate, or broker fee.

Question 23Agriculture

A livestock operation’s forage test shows low crude protein and high neutral detergent fiber. Which ration adjustment is most appropriate for a growing calf?

  1. Increase the proportion of low-quality mature grass hay
  2. Increase the amount of cornstalk residue fed
  3. Remove all forage from the diet
  4. Supplement with a protein source and limit low-quality forage Correct answer.

Explanation

Low crude protein and high NDF indicate mature, low-quality forage that limits intake and digestion. Supplementing protein improves rumen function and intake of low-quality forage, while limiting that forage keeps the ration balanced. Removing forage entirely risks rumen acidosis and is inappropriate for a growing calf.

Question 24Agriculture

A vegetable grower wants to reduce nitrate leaching into groundwater after harvest. Which practice is most effective?

  1. Leaving the field fallow and bare through winter
  2. Applying additional nitrogen fertilizer after harvest
  3. Irrigating heavily to flush nitrates below the root zone
  4. Planting a deep-rooted cover crop to scavenge residual nitrogen Correct answer.

Explanation

Deep-rooted cover crops take up residual nitrate and hold it in plant tissue, reducing leaching over winter. Additional nitrogen increases the pool at risk. Heavy irrigation accelerates leaching, and bare fallow leaves nitrate vulnerable to movement.

Question 25Agriculture

A farmer observes that a pesticide that once controlled an insect pest well now performs poorly, and laboratory tests show the population survives labeled rates. Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. The pest has switched to a different host plant
  2. The field has become deficient in micronutrients
  3. The pesticide has degraded because of improper storage
  4. The pest population has developed resistance through selection Correct answer.

Explanation

Repeated exposure selects individuals with traits allowing survival at labeled rates, producing resistant populations. Storage degradation would affect the product rather than the population, and host switching or nutrient status does not explain survival at labeled rates. Resistance management requires rotating modes of action.

Question 26Agriculture

Which soil structure type is most commonly associated with productive agricultural topsoil in which granular aggregates allow good air and water movement?

  1. Columnar structure
  2. Granular structure Correct answer.
  3. Massive structure
  4. Platy structure

Explanation

Granular structure consists of small, rounded aggregates that create abundant pore space for air, water, and roots, which is why it is typical of fertile surface horizons. The other structure types restrict movement or indicate problem soils.

Question 27Agriculture

A producer wants to estimate the plant-available water-holding capacity of a soil. Which soil property is most directly used for this estimate?

  1. Saturated water content minus field capacity
  2. Bulk density minus particle density
  3. Cation exchange capacity minus base saturation
  4. Field capacity minus permanent wilting point Correct answer.

Explanation

Plant-available water is the water retained between field capacity and the permanent wilting point, because water held more tightly than the wilting point cannot be extracted by roots. The difference between those two contents is the standard estimate of available water capacity.

Question 28Agriculture

A grower wants to raise soil pH on a strongly acidic field before planting alfalfa. Which material is the standard agricultural amendment for that purpose?

  1. Ammonium sulfate
  2. Agricultural limestone Correct answer.
  3. Elemental sulfur
  4. Gypsum

Explanation

Ground agricultural limestone neutralizes soil acidity and raises pH, and it also supplies calcium. The rate is set from a soil test and the buffer pH or lime requirement.

Question 29Agriculture

A field has received heavy manure applications and shows excessive phosphorus in soil tests. Which management response best limits further phosphorus accumulation and off-site loss?

  1. Apply phosphorus fertilizer to balance the high soil test level
  2. Continue manure rates set by crop nitrogen needs and add a phosphorus starter fertilizer
  3. Increase tillage to dilute surface phosphorus throughout the plow layer
  4. Base manure applications on crop phosphorus removal and shift to nitrogen sources that add little phosphorus Correct answer.

Explanation

When soil phosphorus already exceeds crop needs, manure rates should be based on phosphorus removal rather than nitrogen needs, because manure nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios supply more phosphorus than crops remove. Switching to low-phosphorus nitrogen sources prevents further buildup and reduces runoff risk.

Question 30Agriculture

Which process converts atmospheric nitrogen gas into plant-usable forms through a symbiotic relationship with legumes?

  1. Nitrification
  2. Denitrification
  3. Ammonification
  4. Biological nitrogen fixation Correct answer.

Explanation

Biological nitrogen fixation is carried out by bacteria such as Rhizobium inside root nodules of legumes, converting atmospheric dinitrogen into ammonia the plant can use. The other processes transform nitrogen already present in the soil.

Question 31Agriculture

A corn grower wants to reduce nitrogen loss through leaching on a sandy soil. Which practice is most effective?

  1. Split nitrogen applications timed to crop uptake Correct answer.
  2. Applying urea on the soil surface without incorporation
  3. Flood irrigating immediately after a single large nitrogen application
  4. Applying the full nitrogen rate in fall after harvest

Explanation

Splitting nitrogen into applications matched to periods of rapid crop uptake keeps nitrate in the root zone when the crop can use it, which reduces leaching on sandy soils. Fall or single large applications leave nitrate vulnerable to winter and spring leaching.

Question 32Agriculture

Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for promoting cell elongation and is used commercially to root cuttings and to manipulate fruit development?

  1. Auxin Correct answer.
  2. Abscisic acid
  3. Gibberellin
  4. Cytokinin

Explanation

Auxins promote cell elongation and are the basis of commercial rooting powders and some fruit-set products. They also participate in apical dominance and tropic responses.

Question 33Agriculture

A tomato producer wants to encourage fruit set when greenhouse temperatures are too cool for good pollination. Which practice is appropriate?

  1. Increasing nitrogen fertility to promote vegetative growth
  2. Applying a labeled auxin-based fruit-setting product to flower clusters Correct answer.
  3. Extending the dark period to trigger flowering
  4. Applying gibberellic acid to the root zone

Explanation

Auxin-based fruit-setting sprays are used in greenhouse tomatoes to promote fruit set when environmental conditions limit pollination. They substitute for the hormonal signal normally triggered by successful pollination.

Question 34Agriculture

Which plant process describes the loss of water vapor from leaf surfaces through stomata?

  1. Transpiration Correct answer.
  2. Guttation
  3. Respiration
  4. Translocation

Explanation

Transpiration is the evaporation of water from plant tissues, mainly through stomata, and it drives water and nutrient movement through the plant. It also cools leaves and links the plant to the soil water supply.

Question 35Agriculture

A producer wants to control weeds in a field of a broadleaf crop without injuring the crop. Which herbicide characteristic is most important to consider?

  1. Selectivity of the herbicide for the crop Correct answer.
  2. Price per gallon of the product
  3. Water solubility of the herbicide
  4. Color of the formulated product

Explanation

Selectivity describes whether a herbicide controls target weeds while leaving the crop unharmed, which is the central requirement for in-crop weed control. Other properties affect behavior and cost but not crop safety directly.

Question 36Agriculture

A grower wants to reduce weed seed production in a field where herbicide-resistant weeds are suspected. Which integrated approach is most appropriate?

  1. Apply the same herbicide at a higher rate to overcome resistance
  2. Delay all control until weeds have set seed
  3. Combine cultural practices such as crop rotation and cover crops with mechanical and chemical controls Correct answer.
  4. Rely on a single postemergence herbicide every year

Explanation

Integrated weed management combines diverse tactics that disrupt weed life cycles and reduce selection pressure for resistance. Rotating crops and using cover crops, cultivation, and varied herbicide modes of action are core components.

Question 37Agriculture

Which insect order includes the honey bee and other bees that are important pollinators of agricultural crops?

  1. Hymenoptera Correct answer.
  2. Diptera
  3. Coleoptera
  4. Lepidoptera

Explanation

Hymenoptera includes bees, wasps, and ants, and it contains the managed honey bee and most wild bee pollinators. Their bodies carry pollen between flowers during foraging.

Question 38Agriculture

A producer finds a pest population with a history of rapid reproduction and many generations per year. Why does that biology increase the risk of developing pesticide resistance?

  1. More generations mean more opportunities for resistant individuals to be selected and multiply Correct answer.
  2. Short generation times reduce the chance of genetic mutation
  3. High reproduction rates prevent insects from surviving pesticide exposure
  4. Rapid reproduction increases the dose of pesticide the insects receive

Explanation

Resistance evolves when heritable traits allow some individuals to survive and reproduce, and many generations per year accelerate that selection process. Rapid reproduction also lets resistant populations expand quickly once selected.

Question 39Agriculture

Which disease management practice is most effective against a soilborne fungal pathogen that survives for years in the field?

  1. Increasing plant density to shade the soil surface
  2. Applying nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate plant growth
  3. Spraying a contact fungicide on the foliage after symptoms appear
  4. Long rotations with nonhost crops and use of resistant varieties Correct answer.

Explanation

Soilborne pathogens that persist as resting structures are managed mainly by starving or avoiding the pathogen, which means rotating to nonhost crops and planting resistant varieties. Foliar sprays do not reach the soilborne phase effectively.

Question 40Agriculture

A producer wants to store shelled corn safely through the winter. Which management factor is most important for preventing mold and spoilage?

  1. Drying grain to a safe moisture level before storage Correct answer.
  2. Increasing the oil content of the grain
  3. Storing grain at field moisture without aeration
  4. Filling the bin without leveling the grain surface

Explanation

Mold growth and heating depend on grain moisture, so drying to a safe storage moisture and cooling the grain with aeration are the key steps to safe storage. Wet grain stored without aeration heats and spoils rapidly.

Question 41Agriculture

Which practice best reduces soil erosion on a sloping row-crop field?

  1. Removing crop residue after harvest
  2. Planting along the contour with a cover crop between cash crops Correct answer.
  3. Plowing up and down the slope to speed water movement
  4. Leaving the soil bare over winter

Explanation

Contour planting slows surface runoff and cover crops protect the soil surface during periods without a cash crop, both of which reduce erosion. Up-and-down slope tillage and bare soil accelerate rill and sheet erosion.

Question 42Agriculture

A producer wants to reduce the environmental risk from a pesticide application near a stream. Which practice is most appropriate?

  1. Apply the pesticide just before a forecast heavy rain
  2. Mix and load the sprayer beside the stream
  3. Increase the application rate to shorten the residual period
  4. Maintain a vegetated buffer strip between the treated field and the water Correct answer.

Explanation

A vegetated buffer strip traps sediment and pesticide runoff before it reaches surface water, and it protects the stream from drift and erosion. Applying before rain or mixing near the stream increases the chance of contamination.

Question 43Agriculture

Which term describes the process of introducing beneficial insects to a field to suppress a pest population?

  1. Genetic control
  2. Chemical control
  3. Cultural control
  4. Biological control Correct answer.

Explanation

Biological control uses living organisms such as predators, parasitoids, or pathogens to suppress pests. It is a key component of integrated pest management.

Question 44Agriculture

A rancher wants to estimate the carrying capacity of a pasture. Which information is most essential?

  1. Available forage dry matter and expected daily forage intake per animal Correct answer.
  2. Average annual rainfall alone
  3. Total acreage alone
  4. Number of water sources only

Explanation

Carrying capacity depends on how much forage dry matter the pasture produces and how much each animal consumes, which allows the number of animal units to be calculated for the grazing period. Acreage and rainfall alone do not account for forage quantity or utilization.

Question 45Agriculture

Which forage species is a cool-season perennial legume commonly used in pastures and hayfields in temperate regions?

  1. Sorghum sudangrass
  2. Pearl millet
  3. Bermudagrass
  4. Alfalfa Correct answer.

Explanation

Alfalfa is a cool-season perennial legume valued for high protein hay and pasture. The other choices are warm-season grasses that grow mainly in summer.

Question 46Agriculture

A dairy producer wants to improve forage quality in a grass-legume hayfield. Which management practice best supports legume persistence?

  1. Maintain soil pH and fertility suited to the legume and avoid excessive nitrogen Correct answer.
  2. Delay harvest until seed heads are fully mature
  3. Cut hay at very short stubble height to increase yield
  4. Apply high nitrogen rates to favor the legume

Explanation

Legumes persist best when soil pH and nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium are adequate, and they are competitive without heavy nitrogen. High nitrogen favors grasses, and late or very close cutting weakens stands.

Question 47Agriculture

Which animal health practice is a core part of biosecurity on a livestock farm?

  1. Controlling visitor access and sanitizing equipment between groups Correct answer.
  2. Sharing equipment freely with neighboring farms
  3. Allowing wildlife into feed storage areas
  4. Introducing new animals without a quarantine period

Explanation

Biosecurity reduces the introduction and spread of disease, and controlling traffic plus cleaning equipment between groups limits pathogen transfer. Shared equipment, wildlife access, and untested introductions are common routes of disease entry.

Question 48Agriculture

A beef producer wants to improve the efficiency of a cow-calf operation by selecting replacement heifers. Which trait is most directly related to reproductive efficiency in the herd?

  1. Hide color
  2. Mature body length
  3. Age at first calving and calving interval Correct answer.
  4. Horn shape

Explanation

Reproductive efficiency is measured by traits such as age at first calving and calving interval, which determine how many calves a cow produces over her lifetime. Selecting heifers that conceive early and calve regularly improves herd output.

Question 49Agriculture

Which digestive system type is characteristic of cattle, sheep, and goats?

  1. Ruminant with a four-compartment stomach Correct answer.
  2. Avian crop and gizzard system
  3. Hindgut fermenter with an enlarged cecum
  4. Simple monogastric stomach

Explanation

Cattle, sheep, and goats are ruminants with a four-compartment stomach that includes the rumen, where microbial fermentation breaks down fibrous feed. This allows them to use forage efficiently.

Question 50Agriculture

A producer wants to reduce heat stress in a swine finishing barn during summer. Which practice is most appropriate?

  1. Reduce ventilation to keep humidity high
  2. Increase ventilation and provide cooling such as drip or mist systems Correct answer.
  3. Increase stocking density to shade the pigs
  4. Close all inlets to prevent drafts

Explanation

Pigs cannot sweat effectively, so heat stress is managed by moving air and providing evaporative cooling to help them lose heat. Reducing ventilation or crowding raises temperature and humidity further.