Domestic Livestock Honor

Nature Study

Requirements

  1. Know the main differences between draft horses and racehorses.

    Answer: DRAFT HORSE: heavy and robust body, broad chest, dense muscles, short (1.50-1.80m) and heavy (700-1,100 kg), thick legs with tufts of hair, calm and docile temperament; used to pull plows, carts, carriages and heavy loads (Belgian, Percheron, Clydesdale, Shire). RACEHORSE: slender and athletic body, long and thin legs, lean and fibrous musculature, a deep but narrow chest, high speed and endurance, nervous and agile temperament; selected for speed on the racetrack (English Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Arabian). The main difference is strength/weight (draft) versus speed/lightness (racing). — The English Thoroughbred was developed in 18th-century England from 3 Arabian stallions (Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian, Godolphin Arabian) — all current Thoroughbreds descend from these 3 ancestors, making them the most genetically documented breed in the world.

  2. Visit a farm and identify 3 of the following horse breeds, listing their main characteristics, such as height, weight, color and coat arrangement. (If only one type is raised in your region, the others may be by photos).
    • Percheron (Norman)
    • Belgian
    • Appaloosa
    • Arabian
    • Mangalarga
    • Criollo

    Answer: Exemplos de três raças de cavalos identificadas por suas características: (1) Normando — francês de tração, altura 1,60–1,70 m, peso 700–900 kg, pelagem baia, preta ou cinza, pelos densos nas patas; (2) Belga (Brabant) — tração pesada, altura 1,68–1,73 m, peso 900–1.100 kg, pelagem ruivo-clara, baia ou cinza, musculatura imponente e ossatura forte; (3) Percheron — raça francesa de tração, altura 1,65–1,90 m, peso 700–1.300 kg, pelagem predominante preta ou cinza, porte imponente, temperamento manso, com franja de pelos nas quartelas. (Caso sua região crie apenas um tipo, identifique as demais por fotos.) — The Mangalarga Marchador is the most popular Brazilian breed in the country with more than 320 thousand animals registered by the ABCCMM — its characteristic gait (a 4-beat movement) provides a smooth ride especially comfortable for long journeys on Brazilian farms.

  3. List at least 4 physical characteristics of the mule.

    Answer: Four physical characteristics of the mule (a hybrid of a male donkey × a mare): (1) LONG EARS, inherited from the donkey, larger than those of the horse; (2) SHORT, ERECT MANE (standing up), not falling like that of the horse; (3) TAIL with short hair for most of its length and a tuft at the end, not plumed; (4) SMALL, NARROW AND RESISTANT HOOVES, with firm and sure feet on steep terrain. In addition, it is generally sterile (does not reproduce), has great endurance, strength and longevity. — The sterility of mules comes from the odd number of chromosomes — during meiosis, 63 chromosomes cannot pair correctly, preventing the formation of viable gametes; this is why mule × mule does not produce offspring.

  4. Identify a donkey from a photo or live observation. Mention the color, size and use.

    Answer: The donkey (Equus asinus), also called an ass, is the domestic equine descended from the African wild ass. COLOR: silver-gray is the most common, but there is also black, brown, white and dappled, almost always with a dark cross on the back (a stripe along the spine crossing another over the shoulders). SIZE: smaller than the horse, generally 0.90-1.40m in height at the withers and 150-250 kg, with miniature breeds even smaller. USE: a pack and draft animal, transport of people and goods, work in the field, and also guarding herds (it drives off predators). — The donkey was domesticated in ancient Egypt more than 5,000 years ago — Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey (Mt 21:1-11) fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9; a symbol of the meekness and humility of the Messiah.

  5. Visit a farm and observe 4 types of dairy cattle and 4 types of beef cattle. (If only one type is raised in your region, the others may be by photos).

    Answer: DAIRY CATTLE (4 breeds): (1) Holstein (black-and-white, the largest producer — 30-40 L/day); (2) Jersey (small brown, fatty milk — 5%); (3) Guernsey (brown-and-white, yellowish milk due to carotene); (4) Brown Swiss (grayish-brown, a milk-meat balance). BEEF CATTLE (4 breeds): (1) Nelore (white zebu with a hump, more than 80% of the Brazilian herd, hardy and adapted to tropical heat); (2) Angus (Scottish, hornless, black or red, meat with much marbling); (3) Hereford (English, red body with a white head and legs, early-maturing and docile); (4) Brahman (a zebu developed in the USA, gray, resistant to heat and parasites). — Brazil has the largest commercial cattle herd in the world (~225 million head, ~80% Nelore) — we have been the largest exporter of beef in the world since 2008, ahead of Australia, the USA and Argentina, according to data from the ABIEC.

  6. Know the milk production qualities of the Jersey, Guernsey and Holstein breeds.

    Answer: JERSEY: small (350-450 kg), originating in the Isle of Jersey (United Kingdom), average production of 18-22 L/day, milk RICH in fat (5-5.5%) and protein (3.8%) — ideal for cheeses and butter; very hardy and efficient. GUERNSEY: medium build (400-500 kg), Isle of Guernsey (United Kingdom), 20-25 L/day, milk of a yellowish color (high beta-carotene content) with 4.5-5% fat; docile and economical. HOLSTEIN (Holstein/Friesian): the largest (550-700 kg), originating in the Netherlands, it is the LARGEST PRODUCER of milk in volume (30-40 L/day or more), but with milk of lower fat content (3.5-3.7%); recognized by its black and white coat. — The Holstein breed is responsible for more than 90% of the world's milk production — its dominance comes from intense genetic selection over the last 100 years for maximum production, although other breeds have superior qualities in protein, fat or hardiness.

  7. Differentiate between Angora goats and dairy goats. Mention the distinct colors of at least 3 goats, such as the Saanen, Toggenburg, Nubian and Mamber.

    Answer: ANGORA: raised to produce the MOHAIR fiber (long, silky and shiny wool used in weaving); originating in Turkey (Ankara); white, curly coat that grows about 25 cm/year covering the entire body. DAIRY: raised for milk production, with a short coat and developed udders. Colors of three dairy breeds: SAANEN — entirely white or light cream (the largest milk producer); TOGGENBURG — brown with white stripes on the face and white legs; NUBIAN (Anglo-Nubian) — varied coat (black, brown, dappled) with long, drooping ears and a Roman nose profile; MAMBER — generally white or light-colored, long ears. — The Saanen, originating from the Saanen Valley in Switzerland (raised since the 15th century), is considered the 'Holstein of goats' — it dominates the world's commercial goat milk production due to its very high productivity and adaptation to varied climates throughout the modern world.

  8. Identify in person and report the wool and meat production process, size, peculiar traits and general appearance of 3 sheep breeds, such as Merino, Rambouillet, Hampshire, Suffolk and Lincoln. (If only one type is raised in your region, the others may be by photos).

    Answer: (1) MERINO: FINE wool (the most valued in the world), originating in Spain, 60-90 kg, white coat with an open face, small to medium build, 4-6 kg of wool/year — a WOOL breed par excellence. (2) HAMPSHIRE: a MEAT (beef) breed, originating in England, 80-110 kg, BLACK face and legs with a white body, medium wool, fast growth. (3) LINCOLN: a LONG WOOL breed, originating in England, large build (100-140 kg, the largest sheep breed), thick, long and wavy wool (a lock of up to 30 cm), white, dual purpose (wool and meat). Identify in person or by photo and report for each one the wool/meat production process, size, peculiar traits and general appearance. — Australia is the world's largest wool producer (with 70+ million Merinos) — the Merino's coat has fibers 17-25 micrometers thick, extremely fine compared to other breeds (35+ micrometers), the reason for its superior price in international markets.