Basics about the Supervised Agriculture Education Project.
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There has been livestock production for over 10,000 years. Animals provide food, clothing and some medicines.
This supplied a steadier supply than hunting and gathering.
It all began with the domestication of animals.The animals' behavior was adapted to fit the needs of people.
When animals are chosen to breed for particular characteristics, like milk production, it is called selective breeding.
The two main types of cattle are meat breeds and dairy breeds. They have been specially bred over thousands of years for these two purposes.
Swine, also called hogs or pigs, came here with Christopher Columbus. Wild hogs are still hunted in the southern states.
Swine can reproduce rapidly and provide us with pork chops, loin and lard, as well as bacon!
Sheep are raised for wool, meat and sometimes milk.
Goats produce fine fibers such as cashmere and mohair, as well as providing meat and milk. They are pack animals and pets
You already know chickens are used for meat and eggs, but did you know they also keep insects off plants? Some are pets and like to be petted.
Rabbits provide meat and pelts and some are show rabbits for competition. Others are pets. Angoras produce some of the softest wool available.
Bison (buffalo) are also livestock. Ostriches and emus (really BIG birds) provide meat, eggs, feathers and oil
Although llamas produce meat and hides, many livestock producers run a couple with their cattle, sheep and goats for protection. Llamas have been known to stomp coyotes to death.
I am glad you are here and have decided to take this class. Let's get started learning about our livestock!