Livestock Industries
1.Beef and Dairy Industry
Bull - an uncastrated male bovineSteer - a castrated male
Heifer - a female that has never given birthCow - a female that has fiven birth at least once
Male Cattle
Female Cattle
Calf - cattle that are less than 1 year oldYearling - cattle that are at least a year old
Sire - The industry term for "Father"Dam - The industry term for "Mother"
Age of Cattle
Animal Breeding
Beef Industry is divided into 4 Segments
Cow-Calf Operations
newborn calves graze pasture with their dam goal is to wean the heaviest calves possible with the least cost weaning - the process of separating a young animal from its dam
Stocker Operations
weaned calves graze high quality pasture and receive nutrient supplements to enhance muscle growth goal is to grow lightweight calves to heavier body weights before placing them in feedlot this phase of beef production is sometimes skipped if the weaned calf has a heavy body weight
"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction," advises Vista Verde Ranch.
Feedlot Operations
finishing operationsgoal is to finish calves to their harvest weight
Seedstock Operations
goal is to produce high quality breeding animals these operations have improved the genetics of modern beef cattle
cattle are capable of breeding all year round
estrous cycle in cattle is 21 days the gestation length of cattle is about 283 days on average
producing one calf per year is desirable
Dairy Industry
Average size dairy is 337 head
Dairy operations exist in all 50 states
Dairy operation are continuing to get larger as there are fewer operations
The top five milk producing states in 2023 were California, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, and New York
New Mexico is currently in 9th place in the nation
The amount of milk produced nationwide has increased while the number of cows has decreased
Milk is consumed as liquid, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and butter.
Milk consumption has decreased while cheese consumption has increased dramatically.
2. Swine Industry
Swine Industry
has remained stable in the past few decades 1641 - English colonists opened a meatpacking plant and began eporting lard and pork lard was more important than pig meat because lard was used to make soap, candles, cooking oil, balm, and lubricants
Phases of Swine Production
farrowing phase - sow gives birth to litter of piglets and piglets drink their milk until weaning
grower phase - piglets are raised until they reach 120 pounds
seedstock - produces boars and gilts for breeding
nursery phase - piglets are raised otgether until they reach 45 pounds
finisher phase - piglet is raised to reach their slqughter weight (250 pounds)
boar - an uncastrated male barrow - a castrated male pig
gilt - a female pig that has NEVER given birth sow - a female pig that has given birth at least once
male pigs
piglet - a baby pig can be male or female
female pigs
age of pigs
Top 5 Swine States
1. Iowa2. North Carolina 3. Minnesota 4. Illinois 5. Indianna New technologies helped move states from no swine industry to being very competitive
Reproduction in Swine
Estrous cycle is 21 days
Litters
Length of pregnancy: 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
Sows give birth to multiple piglets at a time.
Pigs are not seasonal breeders. They have the ability to reporduce all year round (like cattle)
Artificial insemination is very popular
Swine can't utilize much forage because they do not have a rumen. Fiber fermentation in the large intestine is also minimal in swine compared to horses.
3. Sheep Industry
ram - an uncastrated male wether - a castrated male
ewe- female sheep
male sheep
female sheep
lamb- sheep that are less than 1 year old can be male or female
age of sheep
Sheep Industry
has declined and is now less than 1% of total US revenue from animal products purpose: meat, milk, wool mostly meat production, wool is unprofitable meat is more expensive and too many synthetic fibers
Reproduction in Sheep
Estrous cycle is 17 days
Litters
Length of pregnancy: about 5 months
Ewes usually give birth to one lamb but two is common
Sheep are short-day seasonal breeders
Sheep Nutrition
Diet: sheep are more similar to cattle than goatsgraze close to the ground the amount of grazing land needed for 1 cow is equal to the amount needed for 5 sheep sheep usually graze but there are numerous sheep feedlots that feed corn-based diets
Location of Sheep Industries
Most of the nation's sheep producers are in Texas adn western states (CA, WY, UT, CO) Mediterranean: raising sheep for dairy is common sheep milk: world's best and most expensive cheeses sheep milk: total solid content is higher than cow and goat milk
4. Goat Industry
buck/billy - an uncastrated male wether - a castrated male
doeling - female goats that are NOT sexually mature doe- a sexually mature female goat
male goats
kid - a young goat can be male or female
female goats
age of goats
Location of the Goat Industry
Most of the nation's goats are in Texas Angora goats: Edward Plateau, Texas Dairy goats: California, Texas, Wisconsin Meat goats: Texas
Goat Industry
purpose: meat, milk, fiber has never been large in the US last decade: meat production is increasing (more ethnic groups) Mohair industry is shrinking
Goat Nutrition
Diet: goats are more similar to deer than they are to sheepbrowsing behavior lips allow them to grasp leaves and fruits from trees and shrubs goats will clear land of weeds and brush
Reproduction in Goats
Estrous cycle is 21 days
Litters
Length of pregnancy: about 5 months
Does usually give birth to one or two kids
Pigs are short-day seasonal breeders. Most are bred in fall when days are shorter like sheep
5. Poultry Industry
rooster - a fully intact male chicken capon - a castrated male
pullet- female chicken less than 1 year old hen- a mature female chicken
male chickens
female chickens
chick- a baby chicken can be male or female
age of chickens
"poultry" that have been domesticated by humans: chickens, turkeys, and geese
combined annual income for all poultry segments in the US is about $30 billion
68% is from broiler chickens 17% is from chicken eggs 12% is from turkeys 3% from geese and ducks
broiler - any chicken that is raised for meat production and slaughtered at 6 wks of age or youngerlayer - a female chicken raised primarily for egg production
PUrpose of Poultry
produce inexpensive sources of protein meat and eggs most chickens are raised in confinement feathers are used to make pillows, cushions, mattresses and dusters
New technology
1918: US Post Office allowed young chicks to be shipped mechanical incubators made egg incubation and hatchability much easier brooder: heated boxlike object used to keep baby chicks warm
Uniqueness of Poultry Industry
vertically integrated - all stages of production are owned by either 1 company or individual breeder flocks, hatcheries, grow-out flocks, processing plants, feed mills, and marketing of product
Top 5 Broiler producing states
Georgia
Arkansas
North Carolina
Alabama
Mississippi
Favorable climate which reduces housing costs
Top 5 Egg producing states
Iowa
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Indiana
Texas
Egg industry is very technologically driven and commercial operations use minimal human labor More dispersed because eggs require less processing
Top 5 Turkey producing states
North Carolina
Minnesota
Arkansas
Missouri
Indiana
Most turkeys are marketed for meat between 14-16 weeks of age
Genetics and Breeding
Size of commercial broilers and number of eggs produced has increased since 1950s Easy with chickens, it only take 7 months for a new generation to be produced
Reproduction
Different: eggs exit the reproductive tract after ovulation, baby chicks come from fertilized eggs Takes about 21 days to hatch an egg Naturally, chickens are seasonal breeders, hatching eggs in spring, but raised in a controlled environment, they can hatch eggs all year round Hens can start laying eggs at 6 months of age Chicken eggs are fertilized by natural mating Turkeys eggs are fertilized by artificial insemination due to size
Reproduction
candling - the inspection of theinside of an egg with a light to detect egg defects and embryo fertility non-fertilized: clear except for a shadow from the yolk fertilized: blood vessels can be seen spreading out from the embryo
Nutrition
poultry are fed mostly corn and soybean meal with a mix of vitamins and minerals called mash
Flock Health
Disease outbreak is the number 1 reason for failure of poultry operation Easy for spread of disease because of large number raised in confinement Common diseases: Newcastle disease, Mycoplasma, Typhoid, and Avian Influenza (bird flu)
Industry trends
broiler production continues to increaseegg consumption has increased over past 2 decades turkey consumption is stable, some exports and further processing has helped consumption
Thank you!
Livestock Industries
Meredith Smith
Created on October 28, 2025
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Transcript
Livestock Industries
1.Beef and Dairy Industry
Bull - an uncastrated male bovineSteer - a castrated male
Heifer - a female that has never given birthCow - a female that has fiven birth at least once
Male Cattle
Female Cattle
Calf - cattle that are less than 1 year oldYearling - cattle that are at least a year old
Sire - The industry term for "Father"Dam - The industry term for "Mother"
Age of Cattle
Animal Breeding
Beef Industry is divided into 4 Segments
Cow-Calf Operations
newborn calves graze pasture with their dam goal is to wean the heaviest calves possible with the least cost weaning - the process of separating a young animal from its dam
Stocker Operations
weaned calves graze high quality pasture and receive nutrient supplements to enhance muscle growth goal is to grow lightweight calves to heavier body weights before placing them in feedlot this phase of beef production is sometimes skipped if the weaned calf has a heavy body weight
"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction," advises Vista Verde Ranch.
Feedlot Operations
finishing operationsgoal is to finish calves to their harvest weight
Seedstock Operations
goal is to produce high quality breeding animals these operations have improved the genetics of modern beef cattle
cattle are capable of breeding all year round
estrous cycle in cattle is 21 days the gestation length of cattle is about 283 days on average
producing one calf per year is desirable
Dairy Industry
Average size dairy is 337 head
Dairy operations exist in all 50 states
Dairy operation are continuing to get larger as there are fewer operations
The top five milk producing states in 2023 were California, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, and New York
New Mexico is currently in 9th place in the nation
The amount of milk produced nationwide has increased while the number of cows has decreased
Milk is consumed as liquid, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and butter.
Milk consumption has decreased while cheese consumption has increased dramatically.
2. Swine Industry
Swine Industry
has remained stable in the past few decades 1641 - English colonists opened a meatpacking plant and began eporting lard and pork lard was more important than pig meat because lard was used to make soap, candles, cooking oil, balm, and lubricants
Phases of Swine Production
farrowing phase - sow gives birth to litter of piglets and piglets drink their milk until weaning
grower phase - piglets are raised until they reach 120 pounds
seedstock - produces boars and gilts for breeding
nursery phase - piglets are raised otgether until they reach 45 pounds
finisher phase - piglet is raised to reach their slqughter weight (250 pounds)
boar - an uncastrated male barrow - a castrated male pig
gilt - a female pig that has NEVER given birth sow - a female pig that has given birth at least once
male pigs
piglet - a baby pig can be male or female
female pigs
age of pigs
Top 5 Swine States
1. Iowa2. North Carolina 3. Minnesota 4. Illinois 5. Indianna New technologies helped move states from no swine industry to being very competitive
Reproduction in Swine
Estrous cycle is 21 days
Litters
Length of pregnancy: 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days
Sows give birth to multiple piglets at a time.
Pigs are not seasonal breeders. They have the ability to reporduce all year round (like cattle)
Artificial insemination is very popular
Swine can't utilize much forage because they do not have a rumen. Fiber fermentation in the large intestine is also minimal in swine compared to horses.
3. Sheep Industry
ram - an uncastrated male wether - a castrated male
ewe- female sheep
male sheep
female sheep
lamb- sheep that are less than 1 year old can be male or female
age of sheep
Sheep Industry
has declined and is now less than 1% of total US revenue from animal products purpose: meat, milk, wool mostly meat production, wool is unprofitable meat is more expensive and too many synthetic fibers
Reproduction in Sheep
Estrous cycle is 17 days
Litters
Length of pregnancy: about 5 months
Ewes usually give birth to one lamb but two is common
Sheep are short-day seasonal breeders
Sheep Nutrition
Diet: sheep are more similar to cattle than goatsgraze close to the ground the amount of grazing land needed for 1 cow is equal to the amount needed for 5 sheep sheep usually graze but there are numerous sheep feedlots that feed corn-based diets
Location of Sheep Industries
Most of the nation's sheep producers are in Texas adn western states (CA, WY, UT, CO) Mediterranean: raising sheep for dairy is common sheep milk: world's best and most expensive cheeses sheep milk: total solid content is higher than cow and goat milk
4. Goat Industry
buck/billy - an uncastrated male wether - a castrated male
doeling - female goats that are NOT sexually mature doe- a sexually mature female goat
male goats
kid - a young goat can be male or female
female goats
age of goats
Location of the Goat Industry
Most of the nation's goats are in Texas Angora goats: Edward Plateau, Texas Dairy goats: California, Texas, Wisconsin Meat goats: Texas
Goat Industry
purpose: meat, milk, fiber has never been large in the US last decade: meat production is increasing (more ethnic groups) Mohair industry is shrinking
Goat Nutrition
Diet: goats are more similar to deer than they are to sheepbrowsing behavior lips allow them to grasp leaves and fruits from trees and shrubs goats will clear land of weeds and brush
Reproduction in Goats
Estrous cycle is 21 days
Litters
Length of pregnancy: about 5 months
Does usually give birth to one or two kids
Pigs are short-day seasonal breeders. Most are bred in fall when days are shorter like sheep
5. Poultry Industry
rooster - a fully intact male chicken capon - a castrated male
pullet- female chicken less than 1 year old hen- a mature female chicken
male chickens
female chickens
chick- a baby chicken can be male or female
age of chickens
"poultry" that have been domesticated by humans: chickens, turkeys, and geese
combined annual income for all poultry segments in the US is about $30 billion
68% is from broiler chickens 17% is from chicken eggs 12% is from turkeys 3% from geese and ducks
broiler - any chicken that is raised for meat production and slaughtered at 6 wks of age or youngerlayer - a female chicken raised primarily for egg production
PUrpose of Poultry
produce inexpensive sources of protein meat and eggs most chickens are raised in confinement feathers are used to make pillows, cushions, mattresses and dusters
New technology
1918: US Post Office allowed young chicks to be shipped mechanical incubators made egg incubation and hatchability much easier brooder: heated boxlike object used to keep baby chicks warm
Uniqueness of Poultry Industry
vertically integrated - all stages of production are owned by either 1 company or individual breeder flocks, hatcheries, grow-out flocks, processing plants, feed mills, and marketing of product
Top 5 Broiler producing states
Georgia
Arkansas
North Carolina
Alabama
Mississippi
Favorable climate which reduces housing costs
Top 5 Egg producing states
Iowa
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Indiana
Texas
Egg industry is very technologically driven and commercial operations use minimal human labor More dispersed because eggs require less processing
Top 5 Turkey producing states
North Carolina
Minnesota
Arkansas
Missouri
Indiana
Most turkeys are marketed for meat between 14-16 weeks of age
Genetics and Breeding
Size of commercial broilers and number of eggs produced has increased since 1950s Easy with chickens, it only take 7 months for a new generation to be produced
Reproduction
Different: eggs exit the reproductive tract after ovulation, baby chicks come from fertilized eggs Takes about 21 days to hatch an egg Naturally, chickens are seasonal breeders, hatching eggs in spring, but raised in a controlled environment, they can hatch eggs all year round Hens can start laying eggs at 6 months of age Chicken eggs are fertilized by natural mating Turkeys eggs are fertilized by artificial insemination due to size
Reproduction
candling - the inspection of theinside of an egg with a light to detect egg defects and embryo fertility non-fertilized: clear except for a shadow from the yolk fertilized: blood vessels can be seen spreading out from the embryo
Nutrition
poultry are fed mostly corn and soybean meal with a mix of vitamins and minerals called mash
Flock Health
Disease outbreak is the number 1 reason for failure of poultry operation Easy for spread of disease because of large number raised in confinement Common diseases: Newcastle disease, Mycoplasma, Typhoid, and Avian Influenza (bird flu)
Industry trends
broiler production continues to increaseegg consumption has increased over past 2 decades turkey consumption is stable, some exports and further processing has helped consumption
Thank you!