Explain criteria for selecting poultry and livestock.

Explanation should include

  • breeds of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, specialty livestock, and exotic livestock
  • production characteristics of breeding and feeder/market animals
  • importance of genetic diversity and variation in livestock management
  • importance of heritability of traits in genetic improvement and management of livestock and poultry.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • How might criteria for selecting animals vary depending on the type of operation?
  • How do desirable production characteristics differ between breeder animals and feeder/market animals?
  • What role do genetics and heritability of traits play in selecting dairy cattle?

Teacher Resources: