domestication and importance of livestock

1. Domestication and Importance of Livestock Unit 1

2. Domestication of Animals Domestication means to adapt the behavior of an animal to fit the needs of people. Before the human race learned to tame and raise animals, it was dependent on hunting and wild plants for food and clothing.

3. Cattle Domestic cattle came from either the Aurochs or the Celtic Shorthorn Cattle were used for draft, meat, and milk. Cattle are not native to America Major growth of large cattle herds took place in the Great Plains states because of the plentiful grazing land. The North Central States are the main region for finishing cattle because of the the good supplies of grain.

4. Swine American breeds of swine come from two wild stocks: The European wild boar and the East Indian pig. English settler brought swine to America. Main expansion of the swine industry occurred in the Corn Belt states, were feed for finishing hog is plentiful.

5. Sheep and Goats Sheep were the first animals tamed by human race. More than 200 breeds of sheep in the world The are timid, defenseless, and least intelligent of all tamed animals Goats were the first tamed animal in Western Asia Goat came to the US from Switzerland.

6. Sheep and Goats Sheep have stockier bodies than goats. Goats have shorter tails that sheep. Goat horns are long and grow upward, backward, and outward. Male goats a have beards; male sheep do not. Male goats give off a strong odor in rutting season. Goats do not have scent glands in the face and feet; sheep do. Goats are more intelligent that sheep and have a greater ability to fend for themselves. Goats can easily returned to the wild state.

7. Function of Animals Converting Feed into Food Clothing Power Recreation Conservation Stabilize Farm Economy Concentrate Bulky Feeds By-products

8. Consumption of Livestock Product Decrease in per capita consumption of red meats, dairy products, and eggs due to cholesterol content. Increase in chicken and turkey Increase demand in meals away from home and prepared meals

9. Nutritional Concerns Cholesterol level Fat content Salt content Food additives Sugar content Artificial coloring

10. Size and Scope Total value of agricultural product from farm is more that 173 billion dollars. Livestock and livestock products sold is over 90 billion dollars Which is 52% of the total value 151 billion dollars was spent for production costs 13.7% spent on feed 9.6 spent on livestock purchases

11. Animal Health Products Three Main Categories Pharmaceuticals $252.4 million Include medicines used in disease control and prevention Feed additives $78.3 million Used to control or prevent disease, enhance growth, or improve feed efficiency Biologicals $60.4 million Vaccines, bacterins, and antitoxins

12. Animal Rights Four main view points Animist believed that humans and animals share and exchange souls Mechanists believe neither humans nor animals have souls Vitalists believe animals have souls but not as advanced as humans Ancient Greeks believed that animals existed on earth for the benefit and use of humans.

13. Food Safety Bacteria contamination Pesticides in food Drug residues in food Irradiation of food Genetic engineering Contamination of food by processors