Native Americans used the meat hide bones and sinew of the animals they killed leaving very little waste Humans have long relied on animals for food companionship shelter clothing fuel fertilizer and services Even animal wastes called manure improve the soil for growing food Some countries use dried manure for fuel Agriculture and livestock plays an important part in economies worldwide Americans spend around 15 of their money on food People in other parts of the world spend up to 70 of their income on food
In 2012 approximately 113 million swine were used for meat Animal science focuses on the biology and food production of beef cattle dairy cattle horses poultry sheep and swine It includes foods that come from animals such as meat eggs and dairy products The food industry is important in the United States Without the livestock industry we’d have to rely on wild animals like deer and elk for meat and supplement our protein with beans and grains Animal science and growing crops go together Many animal producers also grow their own feed for their animals
Specialized fields in animal science offer more information about each part of it Genetics studies how characteristics are passed from parents to offspring Breeders use this science to produce better animals such as sheep who have higher quality wool The field of biology helps us understand how animals grow develop and reproduce Zoology is a subfield of biology or life science Biologists called zoologists study animals A zoologist researches and observes animals to understand their habits development behavior and diseases They may study them in their environment or in the lab The field of management works with the business side of raising animals This includes getting the animals bred fed and to market Waste management is also part of the business Jobs in Animal Science Animal Industries Feed and equipment manufacturing Pharmaceutical firms Bioscience Animal Biology Animal Breeding Animal Nutrition Livestock Production Dairy Beef Science and Production Wildlife Biology and Zoology Breeding and Marketing Breeding or Trade Spedific Organizations Managers Consultants Market forecasters Public relations Extension Agents Livestock specialists County agricultural agents Food Processing and Meat Industry Management Product development Quality control Sales and advertising Veterinary Medicine Doctors Surgeons Researchers Technicians Government Agencies Livestock marketing Environmental regulation Animal health Disease control Meat inspection
More Jobs in Animal Science Breeders and Feedlot Operators Production management Animal nutrition Animal physiology Animal behavior Research and Lab Technicians Animal breeding Animal health Nutrition Computer modeling Processing and handling Quality control of meat and animal products Self-employed Farms Feedlots Management Consulting Animal breeding Kennel or clinic operations State and National Organizations Management Health Inspectors Educators College and universities Vocational agriculture Writers Advertising Publications Public information Animal facilities Zoos Kennels Horse farms Animal preserves Animal science works with agriculture to grow high nutrient foods for the different animals Accurate weather information and safe pesticides improve feed crops Insect scientists work to control insects on animals and farms Another field in animal science is aquaculture This is raising fish or shellfish for food As the demand for fish increases around the world aquaculture is becoming a big business Aquaculture farming can take place in any water environment such as ponds lakes rivers or the ocean Besides fish and shellfish aquaculture produces sport fish bait fish algae sea vegetables and fish eggs
