Name four breeds of livestock in each of the following
classifications: horses, dairy cattle, beef cattle,
sheep, hogs. Tell their principal uses and merits. Tell
where the breeds originated.
List the principal diseases in your area that afflict the
animals in each classification. Describe the symptoms and
explain the proper treatment for the diseases you list.
Explain the major differences in digestive systems or
ruminant and nonruminant animals.
Tell how you would properly manage a cow, sheep, horse,
or hog, including adequate feeding. Tell what must be
done to prevent illness, blemishes, defects, and disease
arising from improper and unsanitary conditions.
Tell about three career opportunities in livestock
production.
Complete ONE of the following options:
Beef Cattle Option
Visit a farm or ranch where beef cattle are
produced under any of these systems:
feeding market cattle for slaughter;
producing feeder cattle for sale to
commercial cattle feeders;
producing purebred cattle for sale as
breeding stock to other breeders.
Talk with the operator. Tell how the cattle
were handled, fed, weighed, and shipped.
Sketch a plan of a feedlot, hay and grain storage
facilities, and loading chute for 30 or more
fattening steers, or a corral plan with cutting
and loading chutes for handling 50 or more beef
cows and their calves at one time.
Submit a sketch showing the principal wholesale
and retail cuts of beef. Tell about USDA dual
grading system of beef. Tell about the grades in
each system.
Dairying Option
Tell how a cow or goat converts forage and grain
into milk.
Make a chart showing the ingredients in cows'
milk or goat's milk. Chart the amount of each.
Tell the difference between certified and
pasteurized milk. Tell how milk is pasteurized.
Tell about the kinds of equipment and health
standards for dairy farms.
Visit a dairy farm or milk processing plant. Tell
about your visit.
Horse Option
Make a sketch of a useful saddle horse barn and
exercise yard.
Tell the history of the horse and the benefits it
has brought to man.
Tell about the following terms: mustangs,
quarterhorse, pinto, draft, gelding, calico,
palomino, pacer, trotter, filly, mare, stallion,
colt, and foal.
Visit a horse farm. Describe your visit.
Sheep Option
Make a sketch of a live lamb. Show the location
of the various wholesale and retail cuts.
Make an exhibit and explain four blood grades
(American) of wool. Tell how wool is processed
from shearing to the finished product.
Visit a farm or ranch where sheep are raised.
Tell about your visit, including the feeding
program used.
Describe some differences between the production
of native and range lambs.
Hog Option
Visit a farm where hog production is a major
project, or visit a packing plant or stockyard
handling hogs. Describe your visit.
Outline in writing the proper feeding from the
breeding of gilt or sow through the weaning of
the litter. Discuss the growth and finishing
periods.
Make a sketch showing the principal wholesale and
retail cuts of pork. Tell about the recommended
USDA grades of pork. Tell the basis for each
grade.
Poultry Option
Keep management records on a brood of 20 chicks
(sexed or straight run) for five months. Record
feed consumption, medication, mortality, and
vaccination. Present the records for review.
Do ONE of the following:
Manage an egg-producing flock for five
months. Keep records of feed purchased,
eggs sold, and mortality. Present records
for review. Tell about the grading of
eggs.
Raise 20 chicks, poults, or ducklings.
Keep records of feed intake and weight
gains. Present records for review. Kill
and dress two birds. Tell about the
grades of poultry.