Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 12 Alternative Animal Agriculture

Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter 12

Alternative Animal Agriculture



• Production of nontraditional animals– Not cattle, sheep, horses, or poultry

– Usually small scale

– Provides products for specialty markets

(continued)



• Producers may supplement traditional operations with alternative ones– Hobbies

– Part-time operations


Rabbit Production

• Have been raised for hundreds of years

• Most come from part-time growers

• U.S. produces 7 to 10 million annually

• Americans consume approximately 10 to 13 million pounds annually

• France– Largest producer


Advantages of Rabbits

• Easily raised

• Gain weight on little, low-quality feed– Inexpensive relative to other animals

– Potential enterprise for developing countries

(continued)


Advantages of Rabbits

• Demand exceeds supply– Potential in America and developing countries as

inexpensive meat source• U.S. reluctance

– Major drawback

• Meat very nutritious

• Serve purposes beyond meat– E.g., fur


Llama Production

• Have unique characteristics– Native to South America

– Same family as camels

– Can adapt to most climates

– Stand 3 to 4 feet at shoulder

(continued)


Llama Production

• Have unique characteristics– Weigh 250 to 400 pounds

– Subsist on low-quality forage

– Two coat fibers:• Long guard

• Short fine


U.S. Llama Production

• Grown more popular– Carry gear in West

– Pull carts

– Serve as pets

– Provide craft products

– Alpaca provides wool• Related species


Earthworms

• Grow in beds– Bedding is loose, porous material

– Kept slightly acidic, moist, and lighted

• Diet of vegetable scraps and cornmeal

• Mature at one to two months

(continued)


Earthworms

• Improve soil quality– Pores allow air and water movement

– Manure provides enrichment


Crickets

• Raised in wooden boxes covered with screens

• Adults lay eggs on boxes’ sand-covered floors

• Heat lamps keep crickets and sand warm

(continued)


Crickets

• Young crickets feed on grain mixtures

• Small trays hold water-soaked cotton

• Ship to bait outlets for selling


Large Game Animals

• Commercial farming a growing industry

• Elk– Industry’s largest component

– Approximately 1,900 farms in North America

– Approximately 68,000 animals in domestication

(continued)


Large Game Animals

• Elk offer several advantages– Convert feed more efficiently than cattle

– Use lower-quality feed stuff

(continued)


Large Game Animals

• Americans eat approximately 100 metric tons of deer and elk meat annually– Most imported from New Zealand

– Low in fat

– Preferred flavor

• Antlers sold for goods– E.g., ornaments


Laboratory Animal Production

• Scientific research requires millions of animals annually

• Animal use in experimentation controversial

(continued)


Laboratory Animal Production

• Research animals come from commercial and part-time producers– Most in demand: mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits

– Specialized use: primates

• Lab animals must meet standards


Natural and Certified Animal Products

• Natural or organic animal products– Rapidly growing niche market

• “Natural” and “organic” differ– Natural

• Beef produced without feed additives

– Organic• Produced under strict United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA) requirements


USDA Regulations

• Origin of livestock

• Livestock feed

• Livestock health care

• Livestock living conditions


Hunting Preserves

• U.S. wildlife increased dramatically in latter half of twentieth century

• Hunters need access to hunting land– Producers have hunting management areas

– Sell rights to hunt on land

(continued)


Hunting Preserves

• Producers manage game populations– Maintain habitats

– Create areas of proper food


Summary

• As animal agriculture grows, many new animal types added

• Each animal has unique and valuable characteristics

• Research will find new ways to use and produce these animals

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Copyright © 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 12 Alternative Animal Agriculture