Animal production Flashcards
What is agriculture
Economic activity where the output must be greater than the resources used in the production
Must be Physically, Biologically, and socio-economically sustainable
Who is involved in agriculture
Livestock producers Food processors Food consumers Scientists Economists Government
Purpose of agriculture
Satisfying individual and national needs
- security
- export for exchange
- import saving
What is agricultural land
Total land area - area under inland water
Agriculture area: arable land + permanent crops + permanent pasture
Arable land
Land under temporary crops, meadow/ pasture, temporary fallow, and market garden land
Permanent crops
Land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and do not need to be replanted every year
Models in agriculture
Characterize a systems behaviour
Essential tool
Generates knowledge and assists in problem solving
Efficiency ratio
Efficiency ratio = Output/Input
Relationship between inputs and outputs
Tools for adaptation in agriculture
Move beyond the status quo
More than surviving change
Enhance resilience or adaptive capacity
Development of science based policy
Livestock terms
Bovine: Beef Porcine: Swine Ovine: Sheep Equine: Horses Caprine: Goats Avine: Birds
Monogastrics
One stomach
Pigs, chickens, horses
Ruminants
4 stomachs
Cattle, Bison, Sheep, Goats
Cattle
Mature, uncastrated male = Bull Immature male = bull calf Castrated male = steer Mature female = cow Immature female = heifer Newborn = calf Group = herd
Sheep
Mature, uncastrated male = ram Immature male = ram lamb Castrated male wether Mature female = Ewe Immature female = Ewe lamb Newborn = Lamb Group = flock
Goats
Mature, uncastrated male = Buck (billy) Immature male = Buck kid Castrated male = wether Mature female = Doe (nanny) Immature female = Doe (kid) Newborn = kid Group = band
Swine
Mature, uncastrated male = Boar Immature male = Shoat Castrated male = Barrow Mature female = sow Immature female = gilt Newborn = piglet Group = drove
Chicken
Mature, uncastrated male = rooster Immature male = cockerel Castrated male = capon Mature female = Hen (>19 weeks) Immature female = pullet Newborn = chick Group = flock
Horses
Mature, uncastrated male = Stallion Immature male = colt Castrated male = gelding Mature female = Mare Immature female = filly Newborn = foal Group = Herd
Colostrum
First milk produced after the birth of an offspring, Rich in antibodies
Weaning
Remove offspring from dam and prevent nursing
Disbudding or dehorning
Removal of horns in cattle soon after birth
Molt
Process where once a year hens stop laying and shed feathers
Cull animals
Animals removed from the heard because of... Reproductive issues Lameness Disease Temperament Low production Herd rejuvenation
Replacement animals
Animals produced to replace culled animals from the herd
Commonly for replacement of female breeding stock
Who sets the Codes of practice for care and handling of farm animals
The National Farm Animal Care Council
At what age do heifers reach maturity
Heifers calf at 2 years of age (first bred at 15 months)
How often does a beef cow birth a calf
One birth every 12 months for 5-7 years
What is supply management
Supply management is a system where farmers have a milk quota to ensure production matches the consumers needs
How often does a dairy cow birth a calf
First calf at 2 years of age and once every 12 months after for 3-5 years
Calves are removed within 24 hours of birth and kept on milk for 5 weeks
Sheep offspring
Puberty is 5-12 months
Can have 1-5 offspring
Bred in fall (Canada)
End products of sheep production
Meat
Wool
Milk
Goat offspring
Puberty at 4-10 months
1-3 offspring
Goat end products
Meat
Milk
Pets
Mohair
When do chickens start laying eggs
19 weeks
How long do chickens take to reach market weight
4-8 weeks
Pig offspring
First bred at 8 months
First litter at 13 months
10-12 piglets per litter
Livestock housing requirements
Meet the animals needs
Provide for collection of high quality products
Safe handling of manure
Why is AI less common in pig production
Pig semen cannot be frozen and therefor must be used within 3 days
