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Descriptive Statements:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various species and breeds of agriculturally important animals (e.g., fish, livestock, poultry), including nontraditional animals (e.g., buffalo, ostriches).
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles for evaluating and selecting domestic animals, and the criteria that are used for evaluating individual animals of species used in various production systems.
- Apply knowledge of the cells, tissues, and organ systems of animals; the relationships of their structures to their functions; and the characteristics of physiological processes (e.g., digestion, excretion, respiration) in animals, including toxin production and defense mechanisms.
- Demonstrate knowledge of growth processes in animals, factors that influence the growth of animals, and the stages and timing of growth and maturation in various species of domestic animals.
- Apply knowledge of animal reproduction; breeding practices in various species of domestic animals; and the handling and care of female animals during pregnancy and parturition, including the handling and care of newborn and infant animals in their first weeks of life.
- Apply knowledge of principles of inheritance and genetics (e.g., Punnett squares, heritability of traits) and the application of these principles in selective breeding and hybridization of domestic animals.
Sample Item:
How old are the majority of well-fed heifers when they reach puberty and begin experiencing regular estrous cycles?
- 6– to 8 months
- 10– to 15 months
- 20– to 26 months
- 28– to 32 months
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
B. While the onset of puberty can vary between breeds, a well-fed heifer will typically have regular estrous cycles by the time they reach approximately two-thirds of their mature weight. This will typically occur between 12 to 14 months of age.
Descriptive Statements:
- Demonstrate knowledge of types and characteristics of production systems for a variety of animal products (e.g., beef, pork, wool, fish, eggs) and the types, characteristics, and management of animal facilities.
- Demonstrate knowledge of procedures used in animal production (e.g., dehorning, castrating), practices for safe and humane handling of animals, and legal and ethical issues related to animal production.
- Demonstrate knowledge of procedures for the safe handling, processing, and grading of animal products, including laws related to the inspection of various products.
- Apply knowledge of the effects of animal production on the environment (e.g., overgrazing, pollution of surface water with wastes, release of methane from feedlots) and methods for preventing, minimizing, and mitigating these effects.
- Apply knowledge of functions, requirements, sources, and deficiency symptoms of various nutrients (e.g., protein, vitamins, minerals) and energy requirements for various species of domestic animals.
- Apply knowledge of types, composition, nutrients, and energy content of common animal feeds (e.g., concentrates, roughages); purposes of common feed additives; toxicity of different feed components; and variation in feeding practices related to animal life cycles (e.g., maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation).
- Apply knowledge of types and characteristics of common infectious and noninfectious animal diseases (e.g., livestock, wildlife, companion domestic species); their causes and symptoms; and methods for their prevention, treatment, and control (e.g., vaccination, sanitation, antibiotics).
- Apply knowledge of types and characteristics of common parasites of domestic animals (e.g., livestock, wildlife, companion domestic species); their life cycles; the symptoms that they cause; and methods for their prevention, treatment, and control.
Sample Item:
Grass tetany most often occurs in older cows or ewes that are in late gestation or are lactating who are feeding on early spring pasture growth. Grass tetany is primarily caused by low blood levels of which of the following minerals?
- iron
- sodium
- potassium
- magnesium
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
D. Grass tetany is caused by low levels of magnesium in the blood. Lactating cows and ewes need to consume additional dietary magnesium to replace its loss through milk production. Early in the spring, the grass tends to be lower in magnesium due to the speed at which it grows. This is particularly true in areas where the soils do not have much available magnesium but do have a lot of available nitrogen and potassium.
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