Unit 01: Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAEP) in Livestock Production

(20 classes for the entire unit)

Students will continually work on a SAEP throughout this course. The program is aimed to help prepare additional opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Students will plan, propose, conduct, document and evaluate a SAEP pertaining to either entrepreneurship, placement, exploration, research (either experimental or analytical), improvement, supplemental or other identified topic as an experiential learning activity.

TEKS in this unit: L2.A, L2.B

Unit 02: Community Service and Leadership Development

(15 classes for the entire unit)

During this unit, students will learn more about the qualities and characteristics required to be successful in business and industry. While a basic understanding and development of employability skills will help students obtain employment, they will learn that developing leadership skills will aid them in job retention and potential promotion opportunities. As a part of their Supervised Agriculture Experience Program (SAEP) students will participate in youth leadership opportunities, such as FFA, and implement/participate in local activities in their community.

TEKS in this unit: L2.C, L2.D

Unit 03: Anatomy and Physiology of Livestock

(15 classes for the entire unit)

Students will learn the anatomy and physiological systems/functions related to livestock. Students will identify and describe the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, digestive, circulatory, and reproductive systems of livestock including ruminant, non-ruminant, and poultry species.

TEKS in this unit: L5.A, L6.A

Unit 04: Livestock Nutrition

(15 classes for the entire unit)

This unit contains lessons about nutrient flow, balanced rations, digestive processes and the influence of physiology on animal nutrition.

Students will understand the importance of a balanced diet and be able to balance a ration using Pearson’s Square procedure. Students will be able to discuss livestock feeding and differentiate between the nutritional requirements of various livestock species; all animals feed must contain dry matter, various groups of nutrients, minerals and trace-elements and should not be moldy or mixed with dirt and soil nor contain poisonous ingredients.

TEKS in this unit: L6.B, L6.C, L6.D, L6.E, L9.B

Unit 05: Genetics and Reproduction of Livestock

(15 classes for the entire unit)

Students will learn about genes and how they affect important traits such as growth, reproduction, disease resistance, and behavior. This unit contains lessons on reproductive topics such as conception, gestation and fetal development, and partruition. Students will conduct experiments pertaining to principles of genetics theories including labs to support Mendelian inheritance.

TEKS in this unit: L3.B, L7.A, L7.B, L7.C, L7.E

Unit 06: Genetic Engineering in Livestock

(15 classes for the entire unit)

During this unit students will learn about animal evaluation, animal performance data, measuring desirable traits, predicting phenotype and genotype, and the role of mutations and hybrids in animal genetics. Students will research current and emerging technologies used in animal reproduction including cloning, in-vitro fertilization, artificial insemination and embryo transfer, and production breeding.

TEKS in this unit: L7.B, L7.D

Unit 07: Livestock Pests and Disease

(15 classes for the entire unit)

Students will participate in lessons on recognizing health vs. illness; disease causing pathogens, vectors, and hosts; prevention, control, and treatment practices; parasites; quality assurances in medications and animal handling; disease spread and prevention; and how animal disease impacts consumers and economics. Students will research methods of disease control, treatment, and prevention for livestock animals and the governmental agencies, private entities and aid agencies that are critically concerned with understanding the cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies and investment options to tackle livestock pests and diseases.

TEKS in this unit: L5.B, L8.A, L8.B, L8.C

Unit 08: Basic Care of Livestock

(10 classes for the entire unit)

Students will understand that livestock need shelter, water, feed and, sometimes, manure/mud to survive to meet their basic needs but they often need other care to be viable. Students will describe and know when veterinary procedures are necessary including dehorning, castration, tail docking, teeth clipping, lancing, injections (vaccines and antibiotics), ruminant hoof care, etc. Students will demonstrate the use of tools and procedures for restraining different species of livestock and the risks involved when handling.

TEKS in this unit: L4.B, L4.C

Unit 09: Livestock Management

(20 classes for entire unit)

Students will understand that livestock managers are responsible for running the business of poultry farms, dairy farms, cattle ranches or other livestock-related agribusinesses. Students will learn the business concepts pertaining to livestock management including keeping accurate financial records, supervising workers, complying with governmental regulations and ensuring proper care and feeding of animals. Students will practice conducting research and gathering data to research and problem solving regarding the Agriculture industry.

TEKS in this unit: L4.A, L4.D, L4.E, L10.A, L10.B

Unit 10: Livestock Industry and Commodity Markets

(15 classes for the entire unit)

Students will understand that commodity markets can include physical trading and derivatives trading using spot prices, forwards, futures, and options on futures. Students will examine the interrelationship between agricultural commodities include grains, fruits, vegetables, and fiber as well as livestock and meat pertaining to regulatory bodies in agricultural products. Students will examine the interrelation of the soil, the atmosphere, the plant, and the animal is a cycle in which the same materials are used over and over again hence why famers employ concepts such as forage identification, rotational grazing, and grass protein levels.

TEKS in this unit: L9.A, L9.B, L3.A, L3.C

Unit 11: Career Development

(10 classes for the entire unit)

Students will identify interests, abilities, aptitudes, values, and personality traits as they relate to career planning, to develop a keen understanding of the value and benefit of work, and to differentiate between jobs and careers. This unit will help students better understand the various career opportunities within the animal systems industry. Students will develop a career plan designed to achieve their career goals within this industry.

TEKS in this unit: L1.A, L1.F

Unit 12: Professional Development

(10 classes for the entire unit)

Students will demonstrate the importance of positive work ethics and soft skills in relation to educational and career success including, but not limited to, appearance, attendance, attitude, character, communication, cooperation, organizational skills, productivity, respect, honesty, motivation, creativity, leadership, critical thinking, risk-taking, flexibility, questioning, and problem-solving, and teamwork. Students will understand the professional ethics legal responsibilities pertaining to the animal systems industry. This unit will also expose students to the important compliance, safety standards, and regulations that are implemented within this industry.

TEKS in this unit: L1.B, L1.C, L1.D, L1.E