Transcript Slide 1

What? You use that animal for Ag?
Alternative Uses of Animals for Agriculture
Hello…Trivia
Question…
What do you
think I am?
Bodacious Bison
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Member of the Bovidae
family, genus Bison, species
bison.
Bovidae family includes
cattle, sheep, and goats.
The name “Buffalo” is often
used for Bison, but is
incorrect. Buffalo refers to a
completely different animal.
Yep! I’m a
BISON, not a
Buffalo…gotcha
!
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Easily confused: From same family and look
similar.
Bison are found primarily in N. America and
Buffalo are found throughout Asia and Africa.
Uses of Buff Bison
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Major purpose: Produces lean, red meat low
in fat, calories, and cholesterol.
By-Products: Leather goods, wool, bones and
horns. Leather is in demand for garments.
Heads, robes, and skulls are often used for
decoration.
Shed their hair in the Spring of the year: Can
be gathered and carded like lamb’s wool.
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With their large, sharp horns, bison are formidable foes.
During mating season, bulls fight for the right to breed with
harems of cows, but rarely duel to the death.
Bison Fabulous Fast Facts
Not on Guided Notes
Type:
 Mammal
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Diet:
 Herbivore
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Average life span in the wild:
 12 to 20 years
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Size:
 Head and body, 7 to 11.5 ft (2.1 to 3.5 m); Tail 19.75 to 23.5 in (50 to 60 cm)
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Weight:
 930 to 2,200 lbs (422 to 998 kg)
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Group name:
 Herd
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Did you know?
 The bison's thick, shaggy coat is so well insulated that snow can settle on its
back without melting.
Go to http://animal.discovery.com/videos/jaws-and-claws-2-bison-clash.html for a video on
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Bison from Yellowstone National Park. Entitled: Jaws and Claws: Bison Clash
Bison By-Products
go to www.silverbison.com for pictures
Page not on guided notes
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Dream Catcher made of Bison fur $495
Full mounted Head and Cape $2000
Bison Leather in colors $12 / sq. foot
Bison horns $20, Jaw bones with teeth $20
Leather for Drum covers: prices varies
Bison meat snack stick 1oz stick $2.00
Bison Jerky $3 for 2 oz pack
Painted Bison Skull $450.00`
Raising Rambunxious Ratites
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Group of flightless birds
that include ostrich, emu,
rhea, cassowary, and kiwi.
Breastbone is flat, lacking
the shape of birds that fly.
Serious interest in raising
them in the U.S. started in
the mid 1980s.
During 1st 10 years…have
been in breeding phase.
Ratite Industry Growth:
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Prices for breeding stock were very high
during the breeder phase.
By mid 1990s, the industry moved toward a
slaughter and product production phase.
Products include meat, leather, oil, feathers
and other by-products.
Meat is promoted as a low-fat, low –
cholesterol red meat.
Unique Uses Continued…
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Hides are used for leather products used in
shoes, boots, coats, belts, purses, wallets, and
briefcases.
Emu Oil is produced form the fat and is used
in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
Feathers are used in fashion, costuming, and
feather dusters.
Egg shells and toenails are used in arts and
crafts.
Ratites: The Obnoxious Ostrich
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Largest bird in existence.
Mature ostriches are 7 to 9 feet in
height and weigh from 200 to 350
lbs.
Can run up to 30 to 50 miles / hour.
Use for both feathers and meat
production.
Eggs weigh from 3 to 5 lbs.
These are not my
real teeth because
I don’t have any!
These are Canine
teeth!
Oh…The Ostrich Egg
Ratites: Even an Emu
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Second largest bird in
existence
Mature birds are 5 to
6 feet
Weigh from 125 to
150 lbs.
Have 6-7 dark green
eggs.
Ratites: Really a Rhea
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Similar in appearance to
Ostrich, but smaller and has
three toes instead of two.
Found in Argentina and
Brazil
Weighs only 44 to 55lbs.
Can run fast!
Eggs are collected for food.
Many people eat their meat.
Ratites: Catch a Cassowary
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4 to 6 feet
No plumage or feathers
on head
Skin is brightly colored
blue, red, and yellow.
In natural habitat they
are found in a forest as
opposed to plains.
Cassawaries have very sharp nails!
Warning: Do not try this at home…
only trained Agriculture Teachers allowed!
Ratites: Keeping up with Kiwi
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Small birds, similar to chickens in size. Native
to New Zealand. Only breeds naturally there.
Long, slender bill. Rare! Valued for their
feathers to make cloaks. They live 25 to 30 yrs!
Krazy Kiwi Facts!
Kiwi birds are extremely unique in the bird world.
Though they are the size of chickens, they lay
eggs the size of ostrich eggs, weighing around a
pound each. Their enormous eggs are the
largest in the bird world, in proportion to their
bodies. These birds were named after their
distinctive shrill cry "kee-wee kee-wee".
www.powayusd.com/teachers/kjain/Gallery/Zoos/ZR/.../kiwi.html
Llamas and Alpacas
What’s the Difference?
I’m a baby
llama!
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Camelidae family originated in N. America
Llamas are used as pack animals, fiber
production, guard animals for sheep herds, pets
and show animals.
Alpacas are not usually used as pack animals
but are valued for their wool.
Below you can really see the
difference between Llamas (on right)
and Alpacas (on left)
Characteristics of Lovely Llamas
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Wool color is usually white,
but may be black,
sometimes shades of beige,
brown, red or roan.
Ave weight is 280 to 450
lbs.
Stand 5.5 to 6 ft. tall.
Lifespan is 20 to 25 years.
Look at the Llamas!
A Llama overlooks Macchu Pichu
ancient ruins in Peru
General Characteristics of
Awesome Alpacas
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22 Distinct natural
colors!
Used mainly for their
fleece.
Ave. weight is 100 to
175 lbs.
About ½ the size of
llamas.
Alpacas come in MANY colors!
Awe…And Again…Alpacas
Exquisite Elk
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Members of deer family.
Bred for meat, byproducts, and breeding
stock.
Primarily raised for the
Velvet on their antlers. - It
can be harvested and used
for medicines
- A mature elk produces 30
to 40lbs of velvet annually.
Alternative Animal Assignment:
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Imagine you are opening up your own new business of the
animals you just learned about. You have to create a brochure
to promote the use of your Alternative Livestock animals.
Using a Plain White piece of paper, create a brochure that has
catchy titles like the ones throughout the presentation and that
includes basic information about your assigned animal (Bison,
Llamas and Alpacas, Ratites, Elk) the uses and characteristics
of the animals.
Include pictures (draw them) to show the products that come
from each animal. If magazines are available you can cut out
pictures and glue them on.
Supplies needed: Markers, White Paper, Magazines, Glue