Introduction to
Animal Science
BENEFITS AND FUNCTIONS OF
ANIMALS FOR SOCIETY
USES & DOMESTICATION
What is animal science?
Animal husbandry The branch of agriculture
concerned with the breeding, care and feeding of
domestic animals.
Animal science is the scientific study of farm animals.
Biology is the study of life that seeks to provide an
understanding of the natural world.
What is animal science?
Genetics
Embryology
Zoology
Botany
Agronomy
Anatomy
Physiology
Chemistry
Nutrition
Pathology
Parasitology
Entomology
Bacteriology
Economics
Computer Science
Ethology
Ecology
Communications
Finance
Political Science
Law
Engineering
Microbiology
History of Animal Agriculture in
the United States
1493 Columbus brought livestock to the West Indies
1519 Cortez brought cattle and sheep to Mexico
1539 DeSoto brought horses and hogs to Florida
1641 William Pynchon, Massachusetts, was first meat
packer exporting salt pork
1760 Robert Bakewell, England, began breeding
animals for a purpose, created different types.
History of Animal Ag in U.S.
1861-1865 Changes occurred during the Civil War
◦
◦
Railroads decreased need for horses and mules and for
stock to be raised where they are consumed
Refrigeration in box cars allowed shipping of carcasses to
population centers
◦
◦
Now animals could be raised in one place, sold at another and
consumed at yet another.
Change in tastes – beef became most popular.
◦
Before the war, pork was the most popular meat (mainly due to
ease of storage), but beef became the most popular meat after
the war because of refrigeration.
History of Animal Ag in U.S.
1862 Land Grant Act provides public lands for
universities to teach agriculture
1872 Hatch Act establishes experiment stations
1914 Smith Lever Act establishes cooperative extension
service
Animal Scientist
 A specialist in the branch of
biology dealing with animals
 Conduct research in genetics,
nutrition, reproduction, growth,
and the development of
domestic farm animals.
Temple Grandin
American doctor of animal science
and professor at Colorado State
University,
Bestselling author,
Autistic activist,
Consultant to the livestock industry
on animal behavior
2010 - listed in the Time list of the 100 most
influential people in the world in the
"Heroes" category.
http://content.time.com/time/specials
/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_
1984949_1985222,00.html
How do we benefit
from animals?
Livestock
Mammals produced on farms &
ranches for food & other
purposes.
Examples of Livestock
Cattle
Hogs
Sheep
Horses
Goats
Bison
Camelids
Companion Animals
An animal used to provide
humans with fun & friendship.
Pets
Examples of Companion
Animals
Dogs
Cats
Fish
Rabbits
Hamsters
Ferrets
Snakes
Gerbils
Poultry
A group of fowl (birds) that are raised
to use as food & other products.
Meat & eggs
Examples of Poultry
Chickens
Turkeys
Ducks
Geese
Quail
Ostrich
Emu
Guinea
History of the Animal
Science Industry
Early Domestication
Humans began domesticating animals more than 10,000
years ago beginning with dogs.
Early Domestication
•Ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) were the first food
animals to be domesticated followed by pigs, possibly to
dispose of table scraps and waste products.
•Horses and cattle were domesticated primarily for
transportation and draft work purposes.
•Early people found animals that form large herds or
flocks and eat a wide variety of feeds are easier to
domesticate.
Early Domestication
Domestication involves more than simply
taming. Animals are considered to be
domesticated when:
◦ they are kept for a distinct purpose
◦ humans control their breeding
◦ their survival depends on humans
◦ they develop traits that are not found in the
wild
Domestication
Domestication allowed humans to
◦ Contain animals with the right temperament
◦ Have a steady food supply
◦ Use animals for companionship, religious purposes and draft work
In return, the animals received protection and a constant food
supply.
Selective breeding occurred as humans got rid of animals with
undesirable traits, not allowing them to reproduce.
Which of these animals was
domesticated first?
List them in the order you think they were domesticated on your notes page.
Cattle?
Horses?
Goats?
Chickens?
Pigs?
Turkeys?
Sheep?
What’s your guess?
Domestication
1.
Dog
14-30,000 BC
undetermined
2.
Sheep
8500 BC
Western Asia
3.
Cat
8500 BC
Fertile Crescent
4.
Goats
8000 BC
Western Asia
5.
Pigs
7000 BC
Western Asia
6.
Cattle
7000 BC
Eastern Sahara
7.
Chicken
6000 BC
Asia
8.
Guinea Pig
5000 BC
Andes Mountains
9.
Llama & Alpaca
4500 BC
Andes Mountains
10. Donkey
4000 BC
Northeast Africa
11. Horse
3600 BC
Kazakhstan
12. Duck
2500 BC
Western Asia
Sheep: Domesticated 8500 BC
Domesticated in the mountains of Southeast Europe and Central/Southwest
Asia. These areas include the countries of:
Greece, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Syria
Yugoslavia, Turkmenistan, Iraq , Romania, Tajikistan
Bulgaria, Afghanistan and Iran
Favorable because of their wool and meat for which they are still used and bred
today.
Because of selective breeding for traits and other results of domestication,
sheep are the only species of livestock that would be unable to return to the
wild.
Big Horn Sheep
Cattle: Domesticated 7000 BC
Domesticated near the boundary of Europe and Asia and/or Southwest Asia
This area includes the countries of: Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Syria, Moldavia,
Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq
In the beginning, cattle were used mainly for meat, milk and labor but
eventually were replaced by horses in most of the draft work.
Horses: Domesticated 3600 BC
Horses were domesticated in Eastern Europe and
Western Asia. This area includes the countries of
Mongolia and Siberia.
Originally, horses were used for meat and milk, but
eventually became useful as pack and draft animals.
Horse
Descended from the 1 foot tall
Eohippus that roamed North
America.
Pigs: Domesticated 7000 BC
Pigs were first domesticated in the Middle East (Mesopotamia)
in countries such as Syria, Iraq and Turkey and then spread
across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Pigs were utilized more in settled farming communities than in
nomadic groups because they are difficult to move for long
distances.
WILD BOAR
Animal Domestication
Goats
The goat was among the earliest animals to be domesticated,
around 8000 B.C. in Western Asia.
The goat could easily revert to its wild state.
Chickens
Chickens were domesticated in Asia around 6000 BC and also in
Southeast Asia (China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Burma)
Turkeys
The turkey is the only North American domestic animal and was
domesticated in Mexico. 100 BC – AD 100
Use the information . . .
Use the notes we just took to draw a simple timeline on
your worksheet illustrating the order in which animals
were domesticated.
It might look something like this.
Present
Animal Contributions to Society
Food
• Mutton and chevon are eaten by more people than any other
meat
Beef is eaten in large quantities
Certain religions restrict beef and pork consumption
◦ Hindus do not eat beef.
◦ Muslim, Hind, and Orthodox Jews do not eat pork
Many people eat horsemeat
Goats, ewes, cattle, mares, sows, llamas, camels, reindeer and yaks
provide milk and milk products.
Animal Contributions to Society
Clothing
Wool, hair, hides (leather), and pelts have commonly
been used for clothing.
Even today, in more than 100 countries, ruminant fibers
such as hair and wool are used in the manufacture of
clothing, bedding, housing and carpets.
Animal Contributions to Society
Shelter
Hair and hides provide material for shelter. For example, hides are used in
teepees, while hair is used in plaster (horsehair plaster).
Tools
Early man relied on bones and hides for tools.
Utensils
Bladders, horns, catgut and dynamite are animal products that are commonly
used.
Personal Items
Humans use animal products or by-products for jewelry and perfume.
Animal Contributions to Society
Power
Animals have always been important throughout history for draft
work, packing and transporting humans. In the 1920s, more than
25 million horses were used primarily for draft purposes.
Today, in developing countries, animals provide as much as 99% of
the power used in agriculture while 20% of the world's populations
depend on animals for moving goods.
◦ India has more than 200 million cattle and buffalo, but because cattle are
sacred in India, they are not slaughtered for meat. These animals are used to
provide power for field work.
Animal Contributions to Society
War
Animals were used in war for transportation and power
Religion
Some societies worship animals.
Recreation
Companionship and hobbies or sports such as horseback riding
Health
Laboratory animals are commonly used for research.
Miniature pigs have been used in laboratory research because they closely
resemble humans in their pulmonary, cardiac, dental and even pre-natal brain
development.
Cattle and sheep have been used to test artificial organs before use in humans.
Humans also use animal products and by-products in pharmaceuticals.
Terms to know
Ruminant (poly-gastric): Animal with 4 -compartment stomach. Complex
digestive system. Hooved animals.
◦ Eat roughages
◦ Roughage: Feed that is high in fiber, low in digestible nutrients, and low in
energy
- hay, straw, silage, and pasture
Examples: Cattle, Sheep, Goats
Terms
Non-Ruminant (mono-gastric): Animal with
simple stomach
◦ Eat feed high in total digestible nutrients (TDN)
◦ grains
◦ Examples: Humans, Pigs, Dogs
Massachusetts
Top Agriculture Products
Number of Farms
1. Greenhouse/nursery
2. Cranberries
3. Dairy products
4. Apples
5. Corn, sweet
7,700
Land in Farms
517,800 acres
Average Farm Size
67 acres
3/22/2016
44
The American Market Basket
Chickens, horses, milk cows and hogs were present on the
majority of farms a century ago. Today, a comparatively
small proportion of farms maintain these animals.
Early in the century, home-grown fruits, vegetables, oats
and wheat were considered staples. Later, families
increasingly purchased and stocked their shelves with
canned, frozen, and instant food products. This trend
reversed itself slightly as health-conscious consumers began
to include more fresh food in their diets. However, most of
what is consumed today continues to move from the farm
gate to the processor, and then to the grocery store.
45
The American Market Basket
The country’s population, as a whole, became
wealthier and increased its demand for food products
over most of the last century. Late in the century,
however, the country reached a point of economic
comfort where increases in income no longer raised
domestic demand for food products.
As a result, U.S. farmers and ranchers began to rely
more heavily on export markets to sell their excess
production and have truly become food producers to
the world.
3/22/2016
47
Trends in the Animal Industry
Animal production is on a large scale
facility & specialized (1 species)
◦Fewer producers
◦Larger operations
Reasons for livestock
production
1. Meat for human consumption (protein)
2. Profit
3. Byproducts
What meat do we eat?
US Average Consumption
1st Nearly half is red meat consumption
2nd Poultry
3rd Pork
4th Seafood
Functions of Animals
Food
Clothing
Leisure and recreation
In other countries
Power
transportation
Another Form of Travel
By-Products
Any product produced from an
animal carcass other than meat
is called a By-Product
Examples of By-Products
Fats
Feathers
Bone
Intestines
Brain
Glands and Organs
Stomach (Tripe)
Blood
Wool
Hair
Hide
Manure
TRIPE…Stomach flipped inside out
By-products
Blood meal, meat and bone scraps
are animal by-products used for
livestock feed.
Horns, Hooves, Bones and Hides are animal by-products
used to produce Gelatin
Gelatin = a translucent, colorless, brittle, nearly tasteless
solid substance, extracted from the collagen inside animals'
skin and bones
Marshmallows
Peeps
Gummy bears
Ruminants are important b/c they have the
ability to convert large quantities of
materials which CAN NOT be used directly
for human food.
80% of feed consumed by beef cattle is
roughages
80% of human population gets
most of their Protein, Fats, Iron,
Vit.’s, etc from Ruminant meat
45% of Protein eaten by humans
comes from ruminants
Edible By-Products
Brains, Tongue, Liver
Oleo Stearine (Fat) in carcass used in gum
and candies
Hooves, horns, bones, and hides produce
Gelatin used in Jell-o, marshmallows, ice
cream, aspirin coatings
Cow’s tongue
Candy and
chewing gum
from animal
fat
Inedible By-Products
Leather (most valuable)
Inedible fats produce:
•Cosmetics
•Shampoos
•shaving cream
•Crayons
•Glue
•Toothbrushes
•Soap
•hair/paint brushes
Other By-Products
Explosives
Glue
Lanolin
Gum
Gelatin
Marshmallows
Estrogen
Violin strings
Honey
Shortening
Spam
Upholstery
Hot dogs
Asphalt
Yogurt
Cement
Ice cream
Lactose
Sausage cases
It has been estimated
that 11.4% of the gross
income from beef, and
7.5% of the income from
pork, come from the byproducts.
• Hides and skins are generally one
of the most valuable by-products
from animals.
• Used to make leather products
Did you know that it takes 3,000
cows to supply the National
Football League with enough
leather for a year's supply of
footballs. Now, why do they call it
the ol' pig skin?
The joys of potted meat!!
YUMMY!!!.......
Ingredients: Beef Tripe,
Mechanically Separated Chicken,
Beef Hearts, Partially Defatted
Cooked Beef Fatty Tissue, Meat
Broth, Vinegar, Salt, Flavoring,
Sugar, Sodium Nitrite.
More By-Products
Livestock feeds- Fish, Meat
and Bone, Blood, Feather
Meals
Much more!!!
Uses of Manure
1. Organic fertilizer in agriculture.
◦Adds organic matter and nutrients
 facilitate the growth of plants
Manure!
2. About 10% of the world’s
population uses dried animal
manure for fuel
◦ Manure can be used for gas, electricity and fuel
for a boiler, or it can be burned directly for
cooking or lighting.
Characteristic of those in an
Animal Science Career
Must love animals
Not mind hard work and bad weather
Not mind long hours and long workweeks.
Have knowledge of animal husbandry
Careers in
Animal Science
What you can do to get
started
High school agriculture classes are a good place to
start!
The total Agricultural Education program gives you
many opportunities to gain experience in animal
science.
AgEd classes + SAE + FFA
Education and Animal Careers
Most entry level jobs require a high school
diploma
About 20% of the careers in agriscience
require a college degree.
Education and Animal Careers
Some positions, such as veterinarians,
perform highly technical tasks such as
embryo transfer.
Education for a vet?
Trends in Animal Science
The largest number of new employment positions
in agriscience is expected to be for scientists and
engineers.
Trends in Animal Science
The small animal industry is expanding
greatly!
Small animals have many uses:
◦ pets
◦ animal research
◦ food
Trends in Animal Science
Technicians are needed for kennels, pet
stores, animal hospitals, etc.
Trends in Animal Science
The equine industry is also growing as the interest
in horses for pleasure show increases.
Some other careers
There are hundreds of careers in animal science!!
Unfortunately, Most people only really know about
veterinary medicine. Competition for vet school is
intense!
Look at all these other options
Some animal careers
Dairy Nutrition Specialist
Agricultural Scientists
Poultry Science
Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal Attendant
Animal Behaviorist
Animal Breeders
Animal Care Specialist - Army
Animal Caretakers
Animal Research
Animal Technician
Animal Trainers
Aquatic Science Careers
Beekeeper
Biological Engineering
Marine Biology
Veterinary Medicine
Some animal careers
Dog Groomer
Dog Handlers
Equine Careers
Guide Dog
Instructor/Trainer
Farm Workers
Horse Groom
Fish and Game Wardens
Horse Riding Instructor
Fish and Wildlife Management
Horse Trainer
Game Warden
Horse Racing Jockey
Groom
Kennel Worker
Some animal careers
Livestock Buyer
Marine Biology
Marine Mammal Trainer
Pet Shop Operator
Park Ranger
Poultry Farm Workers
Primatology Careers
Professional Farrier
Shearer
Veterinary Assistants
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Technician
Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Zoo and Aquarium Worker
Zoologists
Zoo Keeper