Animal Production (Agricultural Industry) explains skills relating to the interrelated human, scientific, and technological dimensions of animal production, management, and marketing. The laboratory-oriented course is recommended for students in grades 11-12. Table of Contents TAKS
The course provides opportunities for students to:

assess the impact of the United States on animal commodity markets in the world;
recognize the relationships among animal commodity markets;
apply principles of animal breeding and nutrition in predicting the impact of current advances in genetics;
examine the interrelationship of plants and animals;
gather animal performance data;
practice proper animal restraint techniques and perform surgical skills;
demonstrate animal identification techniques;
perform animal and business management techniques;
formulate feed rations based on least-cost factors;
design and conduct experiments to support known principles of animal genetics and feed efficiency;
formulate and conduct research to solve business problems; and
use charts/tables/graphs to prepare written summaries of results and data obtained in laboratory activities and scientific research projects.

8540-A Evaluating Careers in the Animal Production Industry
8541-A Analyzing the History and Future Development of the Animal Production Industry
8369-B Examining the Animal Products Industry - from Production to Consumption of Food
8642-A Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Production in the United States and the World
8542-A Assessing the Animal Production Industry's Market Value and Its Impact on World Trade
8727-B International Agricultural Trade
8542-B Identifying the Effects of Government Legislation on the Animal Production Industry
8543-A Examining Current Technology and Its Impact in the Animal Industry
8530-B Where Did Biotechnology Come From?
8530-C The Future of Agricultural Biotechnology
8538-A Bioethics: Ethical Issues in Biotechnology
8537-A Regulating Biotechnology
8454-A Classifying Horticultural Plants
8544-A Identifying Browse, Forb, Woody Plant, and Grass Species by Visual Methods
8544-B Identifying Toxic Plants and Other Livestock Poisoning Vectors
8646-E The Digestive System
8544-C Identifying Livestock Integration: Utilizing Two or More Animal Species to Maximize Production
8874-C Types of Livestock Grazing Systems
8873-B Determining Range Condition and Carrying Capacity
8873-C Influence of Rangeland Stocking Rates on Forage, Livestock, and Wildlife Production
8544-D Identifying Rangeland Practices to Enhance Production Profits
8818-A Artificial Insemination
8822-E Use of Pharmaceuticals in Vaccination and Immunization
8645-B Performing Common Surgical Skills - Castration
8645-C Performing Common Surgical Skills - Dehorning
8645-D Performing Common Surgical Skills - Docking
8645-E Performing Common Immunization Skills
8645-A Safe Handling and Restraining of Animals
8605-B Planning Cost Effective Construction - Preparing Plans
8545-A Examining and Developing Proper Livestock Facility Designs
8545-B Describing Proper Livestock Transportation Methods
8545-C Analyzing Animal Behavior and Its Effect on Livestock Production
8546-A Selecting Livestock Breeds to Deliver Maximum Economical and Environmental Efficiency
8546-B Analyzing Trends in Ecotourism and the Use of Exotic and Wildlife Species
8369-E Identifying Basic Management Practices in Food and Fiber Production
8547-A Describing Methods for Integrating a Total Herd Health Management System
8547-B Applying Procedures for Livestock Record Keeping, Budgeting, and Financing
8548-A Analyzing the Relationships Among Livestock Commodity Markets
8548-B Monitoring Current Livestock Market Prices Through Use of Electronic/Computerized Databases and Printed Materials
8548-C Identifying Animal Industry Standards for Optimizing Production Profits
8549-A Analyzing the Feeding and Management Aspects of the Feedlot Industry
8647-B Classes of Feed
8821-D Feeding Practices for Beef Cattle, Swine and Sheep
8874-A Nutritional Needs of Livestock on Rangeland
8549-B Formulating Least-Cost Rations for Livestock
8391 Animal Growth and Development
8549-C Designing and Conducting Experiments to Support Known Principles of Animal Genetics and Feed Efficiency
8514 Conducting Research
8550-A Designing, Conducting, and Completing Research Related to the Animal Production Industry
8550-B Identifying and Assessing Computer Programs to Design Graphs, Tables, and Charts Related to the Animal Production Industry

Further details can be downloaded at www.texasffa.org/Competitions/AgriScienceFair/tabid/6462/Default.aspx
Students use the scientific process as they reinforce skills and principles they have learned in agriscience courses. They conduct research projects and prepare a scientific report and display for judging at the state level.

Competition is divided into five categories:

Biochemistry/Food Science/Microbiology- Biology of microorganisms-bacteriology, virology, protozoology, fungi bacterial genetics, yeast. This area also can include chemistry of life processes-molecular biology, molecular genetics, enzymes, photosynthesis, protein chemistry, food chemistry, hormones, etc.

Botany - Study of plant life-agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, forestry, plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant pathology, plant genetics, hydroponics, algae, etc.

Engineering- Technology; projects that directly apply scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses-mechanical, chemical, electrical, environmental engineering, etc.

Environmental Sciences- Study of pollution (air, water and land) sources and their control; ecology

Zoology- Study of animals-animal genetics, ornithology, ichthyology, entomology, animal ecology, paleontology, cellular physiology, animal husbandry, cytology, histology, animal physiology, invertebrate neurophysiology, studies of invertebrates, etc.