The video opens with an image displaying various types of livestock such as horses, beef cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, and chickens. The screen divides into two halves, with livestock on the right and the video title, “Choosing and Raising your SAE Livestock,” on the left.
Two horses are in a stable with individuals. Then, beef cattle roam in a field, followed by a man and a woman walking with their pigs in a farm. Next, a girl walks with her goat, and a man runs alongside his horse.
There is no doubt that raising livestock is a large part of the agriculture industry. Many students will choose some type of livestock as the focus of their Supervised Agricultural Experience, also known as an SAE. And many will participate with an animal project which is shown at a junior livestock show.
A young girl sits across from a counselor in an office, transitioning to a production plant with the text "Placement SAE."
But don’t forget to consider all four types of SAEs.
A young boy sits across an older man in an office, displaying the text "Exploratory SAE." A woman checking horse in a stable.
A PLACEMENT SAE might be working for a livestock business. An EXPLORATORY SAE could be shadowing a professional in a livestock field of interest or learning more about animal health.
A man and a woman walk pigs on a farm, displaying the text "Entrepreneurship SAE." Then, a pig is seen in a cage, followed by cows grazing in the field.
An ENTREPRENEURSHIP SAE would include show animal projects as well as other student-owned enterprises like raising animals for food, or breeding animals.
A researcher works with a machine on a farm, showing the text "Research SAE."
And a RESEARCH SAE lends itself to a scientific research project using the scientific method.
It transitions to a man brushing a pig.
When considering the type of Livestock SAE you will have, here are some things to consider:
The screen divides with an image of a woman walking a pig on the right, listing bullet points “Is the project feasible?”, “What resources will you need?”, “What are the costs and capital requirements?”, “What timing is required?”, “Do you have time available?”, “What are the possible results of the project?” “What proficiencies are related?” under "What Type of SAE Should I Choose?" on the left.
Is the project feasible? What resources will you need? What are the costs and capital requirements? What timing is required, and do you have the time available? What are the possible results of the project? What proficiencies are related?
It transitions to a young boy working on a computer.
The Agricultural Experience Tracker program can help you with the decision-making process and planning the project.
A man stands with a horse in a stable, followed by a young girl browsing the internet. Then, a man cleans a pig on a farm, cows roam the field, a woman caresses a goat, and another woman cleans a pig.
You will need to consider the type of livestock you could use in your project. For the Placement or Exploratory SAE, what livestock businesses are available in your area? For the Entrepreneurship SAE, what animals can you logically utilize? Are beef cattle too large for your available facilities, or too costly to maintain? Perhaps sheep, pigs, or goats may be a better choice for your budget and capital requirements.
Black chickens are shown in a poultry farm, followed by men and women walking pigs on a farm. A woman leashes a horse in a stable, and another woman feeds a pig.
You may also want to consider smaller animals with a shorter finishing period like rabbits or poultry. Other considerations might include your level of experience with animals, and the amount of time required to be successful with a particular type of animal. For a scientific research project, you could study different feeding regimens for a certain type of livestock.
The screen divides with an image of a horse on the right, with the heading "To Determine the Type of Animal for Your SAE" which is followed by text reading "Evaluate the availability of animals, facilities, and costs."
You need to evaluate the availability of animals, facilities, and costs to determine the type of animal that could be successful for your SAE.
This is followed by a man and a girl talking at a table.
Don’t be afraid to be creative with your project.
Black chickens are shown in a poultry farm, transitioning to different webpages on an SAE website.
Different animals and different types of SAE projects can yield great rewards. The results of the project can be beneficial in career path experience, grades in your classes, awards, and even money!
The screen divides with an image of two horses on the right, listing bulleted points “Be based on your interests”, “Have an agricultural focus”, “Develop your skills and knowledge”, “ Be challenging”, “Allow decision-making opportunities”, “Have the opportunity to expand the project over time”, “Possibly lead to a future area of employment or a business opportunity" under "A Good SAE Will:" on the left. It transitions to a smiling young woman shaking hands with a man in an office, followed by men and women walking pigs on a farm.
Remember, a good SAE will: be based on your interests, have an agricultural focus, develop your skills and knowledge, be challenging and allow decision making opportunities, have opportunity to expand the project over time, and possibly lead to a future area of employment or a business opportunity. Good luck with your animal SAE!