Animal Science

Course Description

Introduction to Animal Science, nutrition, animal health, genetics, breeding and reproduction. Management and marketing of animals and animal products. Small animals and International Ag. Meats and meat processing. Some detail study will be done in the species of cattle, sheep, swine, and horses. Careers in Animal Science. Students will also become involved with the National FFA Organization and SAE.  This is a full year course

Texts for this course include:

Livestock and Poultry Production, Gillespie, published by ITP. The Science of Animal Agriculture, published by Interstate Publishers.

Instructional Philosophy:

Agricultural Education enables students to learn facts, analyze problems, and have an opportunity to gain self-confidence.  This confidence is a gradually developing process.  Each student is given the opportunity to achieve individual accomplishments while working in small groups and on individual projects.  The self-confidence that students acquire helps them in all phases of their lives.  With confidence in themselves, they are able to make wiser decisions that have been reasoned out.

The relevant skills taught in Agricultural Education are of vital importance to students of both sexes and of all academic and economic levels.  Every student is involved in some phase of agriculture, regardless of his or her paid occupation.  Students are given the opportunity to acquire facts and develop competencies and apply these facts through their own Supervised Agricultural Experience and to develop themselves into competent community leaders through their involvement in the National FFA Organization.

Course Goals

A. SELECTING LIVESTOCK
1. Identify common breeds of livestock
2. Evaluate sire performance records (EPD, ratios)
3. Analyze animal pedigrees
4. Identify external anatomical parts of livestock
5. Use livestock evaluation terminology
6. Evaluate livestock for breeding purposes
7. Evaluate livestock for feeding purposes
8. Recognize feeder market grades
9. Recognize slaughter market grades
10. Prepare and analyze production records
11. Identify breed associations
B. FEEDING AND NUTRITION OF LIVESTOCK
1. Identify digestive system parts and functions
2. Compare ruminants and non-ruminants
3. Describe feed conversion during digestion
4. Describe absorption and metabolism process
5. List feed nutrients and functions
6. Distinguish between classes of energy
7. Distinguish between classes of protein
8. Detect nutrient deficiencies
9. Identify/classify common feedstuffs
10. Identify nutrition stages of livestock
11. Determine nutrient needs of livestock
12. Interpret feed nutrient test analysis
13. Distinguish between “as fed” and “dry matter”
14. Analyze commercial feed tag
15. Balance a ration
16. Evaluate feed preparation methods
17. Describe method and value of creep feeding
18. Identify moldy/low quality feed
19. Describe procedure for using growth hormones
20. Describe feed additive withdrawal periods
21. Maintain feeding records
22. Calculate feed efficiency and rate of growth
23. Calculate feed cost per unit of nutrient
C. BREEDING AND REPRODUCTION OF LIVESTOCK
1. Define chromosome theory of inheritance (genes, DNA, RNA)
2. Diagram determination of offspring sex
3. Calculate heritability percentages from cross
4. Identify parts and functions of reproductive systems of male and female
5. Identify sexual maturity of animals
6. Describe estrus cycle of animals
7. Evaluate breeding systems
8. Describe the procedure for A. I.
9. Describe the embryo transfer process
10. Describe process of flushing breeding animals
11. Outline the development of the fetus
12. Estimate parturation dates
13. Describe the procedure for pregnancy testing
14. Recognize parturation complications
15. Assist newborn with complications
16. Complete breeding records
D. FOLLOWING HUSBANDRY PRACTICES
1. Evaluate systems of livestock production
2. Calculate adjusted weaning weights
3. Describe procedure for treating navels
4. Describe methods of livestock castration (crimp, cutting, banding)
5. Describe methods of dehorning cattle (paste, electric, scoop, spoon, Barnes, saw)
6. Evaluate livestock identification methods (notch, tattoo, tag, hot and freeze brand)
7. Describe procedure for weaning livestock
8. Describe procedure for preconditioning livestock
9. Identify livestock restraining equipment
10. Identify optimum livestock market weights
11. Describe procedure for docking tails
12. Describe procedure for trimming feet
13. Describe the sheep shearing process
14. Sort & grade wool
15. Identify professional livestock associations
E. MANAGING LIVESTOCK WASTES
1. Interpret waste handling laws and regulations
2. Evaluate value of livestock wastes
3. Evaluate types of waste handling systems
4. Follow safety precautions in handling wastes
F. CONTROLLING DISEASES AND PESTS

  1. Describe disease causing pathogens
  2. Describe the natural immunity system
  3. Recognize biostress factors related to health
  4. Describe common diseases and their symptoms
  5. Describe nutritional diseases
  6. Describe life cycles of parasites
  7. Identify common parasites
  8. Interpret animal health laws

 

  1. Using DAIRY MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES
  1. Identify milk products
  2. Calculate feed ration based on milk output
  3. Describe dairy reproduction management cycle
  4. Determine the milk production cycle
  5. Identify procedure for sanitizing milk equipment
  6. Describe the process of milk secretion
  7. Determine pricing systems for milk
  8. Identify production stimulants

 

H. CARING FOR HORSES

  1. Select horses based on purpose
  2. Evaluate horse condition
  3. Identify and prevent founder
  4. Recognize symptoms of leg injuries

 

  1. CARING FOR COMPANION ANIMALS
  1. Categorize types of companion animals
  2. Determine companion animal selection criteria
  3. Diagram animal anatomy
  4. Identify classifications of companion animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, fish, rodents, etc)
  5. Identify exotic animals
  6. Evaluate animal condition
  7. Determine sex of companion animals
  8. Recognize importance of spay/neutering
  9. Recognize breeding cycles
  10. Describe basic animal genetics
  11. Determine cage requirements for small animals
  12. Identify companion animals feedstuffs
  13. Determine proper feed & water requirements
  14. Identify signs of a healthy animal
  15. Identify common companion animal parasites
  16. Practice preventive medicine (vaccines, wormers)
  17. Demonstrate knowledge of normal animal behavior
  18. Identify the role of humane societies

 

  1. RELATED COMPETENCIES
  1. Identify careers that require competencies in animal science
  2. Distinguish between animal welfare/rights groups
A. FUNCTIONING AS AN ORGANIZATION MEMBER
Student FFA Handbook – FFA Supply Service
1. Become familiar with FFA history
2. Become familiar with FFA Creed
3. Become familiar with FFA Aims and Purposes
4. Become familiar with FFA Constitution and Bylaw
5. Qualify for Greenhand Degree
6. Prepare a business meeting agenda
7. Assist in developing chapter program of work
8. Demonstrate five parliamentary procedure skills
9. Become familiar with officers and duties
10. Identify FFA activities available to members (awards, travel, contests, conventions, etc.)
11. Develop a plan for involvement in FFA
12. Complete proficiency award applications
13. Qualify for Chapter FFA Degree
14. Qualify for State FFA Degree
15. Qualify for American FFA Degree
B. RELATING TO OTHERS IN SOCIETY
1. Describe purposes for committees
2. Identify types of committees (ad hoc, standing)
3. Describe the decision making process
4. Demonstrate etiquette and social skills
5. Carry on a conversation with others
6. Demonstrate effective listening and answering skills
7. Identify types of speeches/presentations (impromptu, demonstration, extemporaneous, etc.)
8. Prepare and deliver speech/presentation
9. Lead a group discussion
C. DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
1. Complete a personality inventory
2. Develop goals for personal improvement
3. Demonstrate confidence
4. Exhibit perseverance
5. Show ability to comprehend instructions
6. Demonstrate initiative
7. Demonstrate reliability
8. Exhibit tact
9. Demonstrate loyalty
10. Demonstrate enthusiasm
11. Demonstrate cooperation
12. Exhibit adaptability
13. Exhibit proper grooming
14. Provide leadership
15. Exhibit poise
16. Exhibit honesty
A. DEVELOPING THE GENERAL SAE PROGRAM
SAE Record Book – Student, Teachers Guide
1. Define and identify goals
2. Plan a calendar of events
3. Complete and record FFA activities
4. Complete and record community activities
5. Complete improvement projects
6. Identify and record non-SAE earnings
7. Record personal expenses
8. Obtain and record SAE project loans
9. Complete a depreciation schedule
10. Complete a financial statement
11. Summarize SAE activities
B. DEVELOPING PRODUCTION SAE PROGRAMS
1. Develop business agreements for production entrepreneurship projects
2. Prepare inventory statements
3. Complete an income journal
4. Complete animal feed records
5. Complete an expense journal
6. Record plant program information
7. Complete livestock breeding records
8. Calculate dairy production data
9. Record project hours of labor
10. Identify and record approved practices
11. Calculate enterprise budget & summary
12. Complete enterprise efficiency record
C. DEVELOPING A DIRECTED LAB/SKILLS PROGRAM
1. Evaluate and select DLE enterprises
2. Develop DL/S training agreement
3. Record DL/S activities
D. DEVELOPING AN AGRIBUSINESS PROGRAM
1. Complete a business plan
2. Project business materials cost
3. Project business labor cost
4. Project business operation cost
5. Project business equipment cost
6. Compute business profit potential
7. Complete a business inventory
8. Record business income
9. Record business expenses
10. Complete a business labor record
11. Calculate business profit/efficiency
E. DEVELOPING PLACEMENT SAE PROGRAMS
1. Develop agribusiness placement training agreement
2. Develop agribusiness placement training plan
3. Record employment related expenses
4. Record employment related income

Major Course Projects:

Genetics and heredity simulation

Animal Rights/Activists/Welfare Project

Course Assessment

This course will follow the district wide grading scale which is mandated by the West Central School Board:

92-100% A

83-91%   B

74-82%  C

65-73%  D

Below 64%  F

The total points for the grading period will be used to determine the letter grade received by the student.  Students will have the opportunity to earn Bonus Points through involvement in FFA activities. Bonus points are added to their daily classroom grade.

Missing and Late work policy:

All work for a Unit is due when the student takes the test for that unit. Any assignments that have not been turned in prior to the test will be scored 0.