Video Transcript

Basic Animal Science

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1. Introduction
CEV Multimedia presents Basic Animal Science. The goal of this presentation is "to
provide a basic understanding of animal science." Whether you realize it or not,
animals play a vital role in our daily lives, from the food we eat, to the clothes we
wear, to household and pharmaceutical products. We depend on animals in many
ways.

The task of raising and producing animals can be difficult if one is not prepared for the
time, responsibility, and knowledge required to be an efficient and effective manager.
A good management system concentrating on the areas of nutrition, health, and
housing should be in place. In this presentation, we will focus on cattle, horses,
sheep, goats, swine, and poultry. Key terms are included to aid in the study of animal
science. "A quiz will be provided following each section."

2. Reproduction
Reproduction is vital for all species to survive. For those who raise livestock and
poultry, reproductive efficiency is necessary for the business to remain profitable.
Reproduction begins with natural mating of the male and female.

Semen also may be introduced into the female reproductive tract through Artificial
Insemination, which is commonly referred to as "AI." AI is the primary breeding
method used with dairy cows, turkeys, and pigs. The sperm or spermatozoa from the
male animal and the eggs or ova from the female animal form an embryo through the
process of fertilization.

In mammals, the embryo develops as a fetus inside the animal until parturition, which
is the process of giving birth to an animal. In birds, the embryo first develops within
the animal. And then it continues development within an eggshell, where it later
hatches.

All species have varied gestation periods, but what is a gestation period? A gestation
period is the length of time from conception to birth. The following chart shows the
gestation period for a few of the animals discussed throughout this presentation. A
cow has a gestation period of approximately 283 days, a mare, 336 days, a sow, 114
days, a ewe, 147 days, a goat, 150 days, and a chicken, 22 days.

It's important for newborn mammals to consume the mother's first milk, known as
"colostrum," which contains the vitamins, minerals, and antibodies the newborn needs
to stay healthy. After one to two days, the mother will produce regular milk instead of

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colostrum.

Without efficient reproductive management practices, food animal production would

not be profitable for producers, and the food and fiber supply we depend upon in our
daily lives would be threatened.

3. Beef and Dairy Cattle

Cattle can be divided into two groups, Bos indicus and Bos taurus. Bos indicus, or
cattle of India, have a Brahman influence characterized by a humped neck, a longer
sheath, longer ears, and excess dewlap. Bos indicus cattle are known as tropical
cattle and are suited for hot and humid climates.

Bos taurus cattle are referred to as domestic or European cattle. The two types of
cattle we utilize daily include beef and dairy. Beef cattle are raised to produce steaks,
roast, hamburger, and other beef products, as well as byproducts such as leather.
Dairy cattle are raised to produce milk, which in turn is used to produce the majority of
dairy products found at your local grocery store, such as cheese, butter, ice cream,
yogurt, and sour cream.

Did you know a dairy cow, on average, produces 18,200 pounds of milk per year?
That's about 2,181 gallons, which equals 34,896 eight-ounce glasses of milk.
Wisconsin and California dairies lead the United States in milk production.

A dairy cow is milked for 305 days, or about 10 months. Then the cow's body needs to
rest and store nutrients before she has her next calf. During this time of rest, she is
referred to as a dry cow. Once the calf is born, the cow will resume milking.

Cattle are ruminants, meaning they have a four-compartment stomach, the omasum,
abomasum, reticulum, and rumen. This allows cattle to digest grasses and processed
feedstuff such as corn, barley, cottonseed meal, beet pulp and other grains, which are
mixed to create feed.

When studying cattle, one should understand several commonly used terms. A calf is
an animal under one year of age. A male of any age which has not been castrated is
called a bull. A castrated bull is called a steer. A heifer is a female that has not calved.
A cow is a female that has calved. The term calving refers to the process of a cow
giving birth.

After weaning, or the removal of calves from their mother's milk, the calves are fed in
a feed yard for at least 180 days. When these cattle reach an average weight of 1,100
to 1,200 pounds, they are transported to a processing plant, where they are
slaughtered and fabricated into our favorite cuts of meat.

The slaughter and fabrication process yields many valuable byproducts. A byproduct
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is any product remaining after the animal carcass has been processed and products
of greater value have been removed. Cattle provide us with many edible and inedible
byproducts. Edible byproducts, sometimes referred to as variety meats, include the
heart, tongue, liver, and kidneys.

Inedible byproducts from cattle include the hide, which is used in the manufacture of
leather products. Gelatin, which comes from the horns, hooves, bones, and hides, is
used to make gelatin desserts, ice cream, and marshmallows. Fats are used in the
manufacture of cosmetics, soap, lubricants, and printing ink.

Hair from the hide is used to make brushes and upholstery material for furniture.
Many pharmaceuticals and therapeutic agents used by humans are derived from
tissue and organs of slaughtered meat animals. All of these valuable byproducts
greatly enhance our daily lives.

4. Horses
Horses have long played a vital role in the development of America. And today, there
are more than 215 breeds of horses worldwide. They are exhibited in a variety of
events from English riding, barrel racing, horse racing, to many other riding styles.

Horses are widely used in ranching operations as well as for recreational riding. When
studying horses, one should understand several commonly used terms. An
uncastrated male horse younger than four years of age is referred to as a colt. A
stallion is uncastrated male horse that is at least four years of age.

A gelding is a castrated male horse. A female horse younger than four years of age is
a filly. A mare is a female horse that is at least four years of age. Foaling is when a
mare gives birth to a foal. A foal is a colt, gelding, or filly up to one year of age. Horse
byproducts are used in gelatins, cosmetics, and clothing accessories. The hair is used
to manufacture a variety of brushes.

5. Sheep and Goats

Sheep and goats provide many valuable products. Their wool is a valuable textile
fiber. They are processed to yield a variety of meat products. And dairy goats and
sheep provide milk for specialty dairy products.

Wool comes from the undercoat of sheep and goats. The wool fibers are processed
and used to manufacture sweaters, suits, and other clothing. Some breeds of goats
are raised to produce a variety of specialty fibers. Cashmere is a specialty fiber
coming from the cashmere goat. It should be noted that there is no purebred
Cashmere goat. All goats with the exception of the Angora grow cashmere. Another
specialty fiber, mohair, comes from the Angora goat. Mohair is cut, cleaned, spun, and
processed into scarves, hats, upholstery, sweaters, coat linings, and other clothing.

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Breeds of goats such as the Spanish and Boer are known for their meat production.
The Saanen and Nubian goats are known for their milk production. Goat's milk is
processed into many different dairy products, including specialty cheeses.

When studying sheep and goats, one should understand several commonly used
terms. Lamb is the term for a sheep that is younger than one year of age, regardless if
the sheep is a male or female. Lambing is the process of giving birth to a lamb. A ram
is the male parents. A ram or goat that has been castrated is referred to as a wether. A
female sheep is referred to as a ewe, regardless if she has had a lamb.

A doe is a female goat. And a buck is a male goat. A kid is a male or female goat
under one year of age. A yearling is a male or female goat between the ages of 1 and
2.

Some of the byproducts we get from sheep and goats include variety meats, lamb
fats, which are used to manufacture feed, soaps, and lubricants, and sheep skins,
which are processed into leather to make shoe linings, gloves, and shammy skins.
Processing of the wool produces lanolin, which is used in ointments, cosmetics, and
leather dressings.

6. Swine
Have you ever wondered why swine like to wallow in the mud? Is it because they just
like getting dirty? Well, the fact is they do this for a very practical reason. Swine are
unique because they do not have an adequate amount of sweat glands in their skin,
which are essential in regulating body temperature. They use the mud and water as a
cooling agent during hot weather.

When studying swine, one should understand several commonly used terms. The
term pig is used until the animal reaches a weight of 120 to 130 pounds. Then the
animal is referred to as a hog. A male pig or hog is referred to as a boar. When
castrated, they are referred to as a barrel. A female hog that has had a litter of piglets
is called a sow. A female pig that has not had a litter is called a gilt.

Female swine are litter bearing, meaning they give birth to several baby pigs at one
time. The average litter size is 9 to 12 piglets. Farrowing is when a sow or gilt gives
birth to a litter of piglets. A finishing pig generally weighs more than 120 pounds but is
not heavy enough for slaughter.

Hogs are taken to a processing plant for slaughter and fabrication when they reach
four to six months of age and weigh 220 to 260 pounds. Here they are processed into
a variety of wholesale meat cuts, which are then further processed into products such
as bacon, ham, chops, and sausage. Today, hogs are raised leaner and heavier
muscled to better suit consumers' healthy eating preferences. Reports show today's

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pork is a much leaner and healthier product compared to pork produced 10 years
ago.

Swine provide a wide range of valuable byproducts we use in our daily lives. Did you
know that a hog's internal organs closely resemble the internal organs of a human?
This close resemblance allows researchers and scientists to use hogs to test new
medical products and procedures.

Hog byproducts are used by the medical world to produce insulin for diabetes, skin
grafts for burn victims, and other valuable pharmaceutical products. The pig's skin is
used to produce edible food products. And it is used as a quality leather to
manufacture footwear, gloves, wallets, and footballs.

7. Poultry
Poultry includes many bird species, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

Chicken has been known as "America's white meat," and it became an increasingly
popular meat during the early 1990s. Chickens are raised in mass-production
operations to meet consumer demands. The majority of chicken sold is fresh and may
be purchased either as a whole bird, such as broilers and hens, or as specific parts,
such as breasts, thighs, wings, and legs.

When studying poultry, one should understand several commonly used terms. A "hen"
is a female, and she lays eggs. If the hen is bred by a rooster, the egg will be fertilized
and develop into a chick. The eggs not fertilized develop into an edible yolk and white
and are sold to consumers in grocery stores.

A "broiler" or "fryer" is a chicken of either sex between the ages of six and eight
weeks. A "pullet" is a young, immature female chicken which has not reached the
onset of egg production and is not more than one year of age. A male chicken that is
at least eight months of age is known as a "rooster" or "cock." A "capon" is a castrated
male that is less than eight months of age.

Chickens provide many non-edible byproducts. Their feathers are used to stuffed
mattresses, comforters, and pillows, and they are used to make brushes and animal
feed.

8. Conclusion
Animals are utilized throughout the many aspects of our daily lives. They not only
provide us with food, clothing, and medicines, but they also provide companionship.

Through continued study of animal science, you can learn proper management
practices and gain an appreciation for the important role animals play in food and fiber
production.
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