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Section 4 Technological Contexts
Raising
Livestock
Farmers and ranchers raise large
numbers of livestock. This livestock includes
cattle, sheep, goats, horses, swine (pigs),
and poultry (chickens and turkeys). These
animals are primarily raised to provide
meat, milk, or materials for clothing.
In historical times, many farms raised a
few of each of these animals. Today, most
livestock are raised on single-purpose
farms. These farms include the following:
• Cattle ranches. They raise beef
cattle for meat and hides.
• Dairies. They raise dairy cattle
primarily for milk.
• Swine farms. They raise hogs for
meat and hides.
• Horse farms. They raise horses for
pleasure riding and racing.
• Poultry farms. They raise turkeys for
meat and chickens for meat and eggs.
A number of different technologies are
involved in livestock raising. Specialized
equipment and practices are used in the care
of animals. Many livestock operations require
buildings to house animals and process
feed. See Figure 19-24. These buildings
are erected using construction technology.
Livestock production also includes machines
that grind and mix feed for the animals and
distribute the feed to the animals. Feed
troughs or bunkers are required so the animals
can eat grain and hay. See Figure 19-25.
Water must be provided using manufactured
pumps and tanks. Finally, machines and
equipment are used to dispose of the animal
waste (such as manure). See Figure 19-26.
Often, this animal waste is used to fertilize
crops or for compost used by plant nurseries
and home gardeners.
Special Types of
Agriculture
There are several unique types of agri-
culture practiced in North America. The
three main types are hydroponics, aqua-
culture, and forestry:
• Hydroponics. This consists of
growing plants in nutrient solutions
without soil. Hydroponic systems
supply nutrients in liquid solutions.
The plants grow in a porous material.
Figure 19-23. These trucks are bringing grain
to an elevator for storage.
Figure 19-24. These chickens are contained in
a large house on a poultry farm.