Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10 Large-Animal Production 571 Communicating about Agriculture 1. Reading and Speaking. Research the products and services available for raising either cattle or equines. Collect promotional materials for a variety of products and services from product manufacturers. Analyze the data in these materials based on the knowledge gained from this chapter. With your group, review the list for words that can be used in the subject area of raising livestock. Practice pronouncing the word, and discuss its meaning. As a fun challenge, work together to compose a creative narrative using as many words as you can from your new list. 2. Speaking and Listening. Divide into groups of four or five students. Each group should choose one of the following types of beef cattle operations: backgrounding operation, cow- calf operation, and stocker operation. Using your textbook as a starting point, research your topic and prepare a report on the operation. Include topics such as costs, land needs, structural needs, and employees, as well as the types of challenges the operation faces. As a group, deliver your presentation to the rest of the class. Take notes while other students give their reports. Ask questions about any details that you would like clarified. 3. Reading and Writing. The ability to read and interpret information is an important workplace skill. Presume you work for a local, well-known dairy operation. Your employer is considering upgrading the milking parlor with new milking equipment. Your supervisor wants you to evaluate and interpret some research on several new milking systems. Locate at least three reliable resources for the most current information on new milking systems. If possible, contact representatives from the manufacturers, and (after explaining your project) ask them about their products and additional costs, such as delivery and installation and employee training on the new equipment. Write a report summarizing your findings in an organized manner. Extending Your Knowledge 1. Buying a horse is a huge financial responsibility. Even if you already have the horse and the equipment needed, there are additional costs such as entry fees for shows or rodeos, and medical fees. Figure the operating costs to keep a horse for one year. Research the cost for horse-related expenses in your area, and find the total. You will need to provide: A. Housing—contact a local boarding facility to determine the cost per month for stall, paddock, or pasture rent. B. Horse shoeing—calculate the number of trimmings or shoeings your horse will require per year (once every 6–8 weeks). C. Feed—light breed horses will eat on average one ton of hay every three months. Find this cost plus the cost of any feed additives. D. Vaccinations—most horses will receive annual and semiannual vaccinations. Contact an animal health provider to calculate this cost. Remember that this cost does not include other common costs like additional veterinary bills or paperwork for out-of-state travel.