National FFA Organization A. FFA is a federally chartered organization for students interested in agriculture. The levels of the FFA in North Carolina are: 1. Local chapter. 2. Region. 3. North Carolina FFA Association. 4. National FFA Organization. B. Parts of a Total Agriculture Program 1. Classroom and laboratory instruction. 2. Supervised Agricultural Experience. 3. FFA. C. FFA Traditions and Ceremonies 1. FFA Mission Statement- FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. 2. FFA Motto- Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. 3. FFA Colors-national blue and corn gold. 4. FFA Official dress- white collared shirt, FFA jacket (zipped up), black pants or skirt, black shoes, FFA tie or scarf. 5. FFA Opening and Closing Ceremony- ritual that emphasizes the beliefs of the FFA and explains the meanings of certain emblems. D. FFA Leadership Opportunities 1. Program of Activities- helps in setting goals and developing plans and steps to reach those goals. 2. Career Development Events- competitive events designed to build career skills of FFA members. i. Speaking Events- develop communication skills. a. Parliamentary Procedure- learn how to participate in business meetings. b. Prepared Public Speaking- develop and deliver a speech on an agricultural topic. ii. Skill Events- develop knowledge and build communications skills. a. Livestock Evaluation- evaluates livestock for market and breeding purposes based on the physical characteristics of the animal. b. Poultry Evaluation- evaluates the student s knowledge of the production, processing and marketing of poultry and their products. c. Farm Business Management- develops business management skills and teaches students how to apply economic principles to agribusiness. 3. Proficiency Awards- entrepreneurship or placement individual awards growing out of a student s SAE program. 4. Banquets, conventions, conferences, social events, community service, etc. E. FFA Emblem 1. Cross section of the ear of corn symbolizes common agricultural interest. 2. Eagle symbolizes the national scope of the FFA. 3. Owl symbolizes knowledge and wisdom. 4. Plow symbolizes labor and tillage of the soil. 5. Rising sun symbolizes agricultural opportunity and progress. 6. Agriculture Education and FFA symbolizes the combination of learning and leadership necessary for progress in agriculture. F. Officers and Symbols 1. President- sits beside the rising sun and presides over meetings. 2. Vice President- sits beside the plow and calls the roll of officers, coordinates committee work and assumes presidential duties in the absence of the president. 3. Secretary- sits beside the ear of corn and keeps accurate minutes. 4. Treasurer- sits beside the emblem of Washington and keeps financial records.
5. Reporter- sits beside the American flag and informs and reports events. 6. Sentinel- welcomes members and guests and assists the president in maintaining order. Parliamentary Law Basics A. Objectives 1. Focus on one item at a time. Helps prevent confusion. 2. Extend courtesy to everyone. You should be recognized before speaking. 3. Observing the rule of the majority keeps unpopular ideas from being adopted. 4. Ensure the rights of the minority, all sides can make motions, second motions, discuss and vote. B. Definition of Parliamentary Procedure- using well-defined rules to conduct business through a formal, organized approach. (Roberts Rules of Order). C. Presiding officer should be fair and impartial and should leave the chairman s station and relinquish chairman s duties to discuss or present a point of view. D. The Gavel- represents the symbol of authority in a parliamentary procedure meeting. 1. One tap means to sit down, announce the vote or adjourn. 2. Two taps means to call the meeting to order. 3. Three taps means to stand up. E. Parliamentary Procedure Vocabulary 1. Agenda- list of what will be discussed at a business meeting. The agenda should be prepared before the meeting. 2. Motion- to present a new idea or item of business. ( I Move To or I Move That ) 3. Amend- to change a motion. 4. Majority- more than half; group that controls the most votes. 5. Minority- less than half; opposite of majority. 6. Quorum- 2/3 of the total membership. This amount of people must be present for the group to make decisions or changes. Parliamentary Abilities A. Main Motion- presents a new idea or item of business. Only one can be on the floor or before the group at the same time. It is debatable, amendable, requires a second and majority vote. 1. Steps to make a main motion: i. Address presiding officer. ii. Receive recognition to speak. iii. State motion- I move to or I move that. iv. Another member seconds the motion (to show that more than one person wants the item of business before the group). v. Motion is discussed. vi. Vote on the motion. vii. Chair announces result of vote. B. Discussion gives members opportunities to discuss pros and cons of the main motion. C. Voting (there are two kinds of votes) 1. Majority. 2. 2/3 majority. D. Four Methods of Voting 1. Voice vote. 2. Visual vote (standing or raising hands). 3. Roll call. 4. Ballot. E. Other Parliamentary Procedure Abilities 1. Amendment- to change a motion by striking out or adding words. It is debatable, amendable, requires a second and a majority vote.
2. Division of the House- to get a counted vote. It is not debatable or amendable. Member seeking a division does not have to be recognized by the chair to speak. You simple say Division. 3. Refer to a Committee- places the motion in a committee. It is debatable, amendable, requires a second and a majority vote. The motion should include the number on the committee, how they are appointed, their powers, duties and when to report back. 4. Previous Question- to stop discussion. It is not debatable or amendable and requires a 2/3 vote. 5. Point of Order- used to correct a parliamentary mistake. It is not debatable or amendable and does not require a second or a vote. Member says I rise to a point of order. 6. Suspend the Rules- used to temporarily suspend the rules of an organization. It is not debatable or amendable and requires a second and a 2/3 vote. 7. Adjourn- to close the meeting (requires simple majority vote). It is not debatable or amendable, requires a second and a majority vote. A motion to adjourn takes precedence over all other motions. Prepared Public Speaking A. Types of Speeches 1. Informative- provide information. 2. Persuasive- speeches given to change or sway the mind of the audience to align with the message of the speaker. 3. Extemporaneous or Impromptu- speeches are given with little or no preparation. B. Three Basic Parts of a Speech. 1. Introduction- grabs the attention of your audience. 2. Body- begins with the main points and arranges them in logical order. 3. Conclusion- summarizes the main points of your speech. C. Preparing & Writing a Speech 1. Speech Preparation i. Purpose- speeches can be written based on a specific reason or purpose such as explaining a new technology to a group of farmers. ii. Audience- speech writers should take into consideration who they are going to present to. For example a speech on retirement options would not be as interesting to a group of high school students. iii. Occasion- speeches can also presented for special events such as banquets, leadership conferences, etc. 2. Topic Selection- once the speech writer knows the purpose, audience and/or occasion for the speech they can then select an appropriate topic. i. Choose a topic that interests you. ii. Choose a topic you are knowledgeable about. iii. Choose a topic of interest to you audience. iv. Brainstorm with a list of topics and write down key words. 3. Gather information from a variety of materials, books, internet, personal interviews, etc. 4. Write down your ideas including, name of source, web address, page number and author. 5. Create an outline to help you organize your ideas. 6. Write the speech the way you talk, but do not use slang terms. 7. Be enthusiastic, smile, use gestures, have good eye contact, and be sincere when presenting your speech.
Reproductive Management Terminology and Traits A. Castration- removing the testicles of male animals to prevent breeding. B. Colostrum- the first milk produced after a mammal gives birth that contains antibodies needed for immunity. C. Estrus- the time a female animal is receptive to be bred, also called heat. D. Estrus Cycle- the length of a female s cycle from one estrus to the next. E. Gestation- the time an animal is pregnant. F. Puberty- age at which animals reach sexual maturity and begin come into heat. G. Lactation- the period of time that milk is secreted by the mammary glands. H. Parturition- the act of giving birth by female mammals. I. Ovulation- the release of the egg cell from the ovary. J. Fertilization- the union of the sperm and the egg cells. Reproductive Traits Specie Age Range at Puberty Average Length of Estrus Cycle Average Length of Estrus Average Length of Gestation Cow 6-8 months 21 days 16-18 hours 283 days Swine 4-7 months 21 days 3 days 114 days Sheep 4-8 months 22 days 30 hours 148 days Goat 1 st autumn 22 days 2.5 days 151 days Parts & Functions of the Female Livestock Reproductive System A. Ovaries 1. Function: Produce ova called eggs. 2. Description: Two oval shaped organs located near the end of the reproductive tract inside the body cavity. B. Oviducts 1. Function: Carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Also called fallopian tubes. 2. Description: Small tubes that are near but not attached to ovaries and have a funnelshaped end near the ovary. C. Infundibulum 1. Function: Picks up eggs at ovulation and directs eggs into the oviduct. 2. Description: Funnel-shaped end of each oviduct near the ovary. D. Uterus 1. Function: Also called womb, place where fetus grows and develops. 2. Description: Organ with two branched horn-shaped attachments called uterine horns. Will have a baby inside if animal is pregnant. E. Cervix 1. Function: Serves as a passageway for sperm to travel from the vagina to the uterus. Also seals the uterus during pregnancy to prevent pathogens from affecting fetus. 2. Description: Thick walled structure made up of folds and rings of muscular tissue. Located at the neck of uterus. Separates the uterus from the vagina. F. Vagina 1. Function: Receives the male penis and sperm at breeding. Also serves as a passageway for the baby to pass through at birth and is a passageway for urine to be expelled. 2. Description: Connects the vulva to the cervix. G. Vulva 1. Function: External opening to female reproductive and urinary systems. 2. Description: External opening made up of folds of skin. Livestock and Poultry Male Reproductive Parts
A. Scrotum 1. Function: Holds and protects testicles. 2. Description: Saclike part outside livestock that holds testicles. B. Testes or Testicles 1. Function: Produce sperm and male sex hormones. 2. Description: Two oval meaty type structures inside scrotum in livestock and inside body cavity of poultry on each side of backbone. C. Epididymis 1. Function: Stores sperm while they mature. 2. Description: Long coiled tube connected to each testicle. D. Vas Deferens 1. Function: Serves as a passageway for sperm to travel from the epididymis to the urethra. 2. Description: Tube that connects the epididymis to urethra. E. Seminal Vesicles 1. Function: Produce a fluid that protects and transports sperm. 2. Description: A gland that opens into urethra. F. Prostate Gland 1. Function: Produces a fluid that is mixed with the seminal fluid. 2. Description: Gland near the urethra and bladder. G. Cowper s Gland 1. Function: Produces a fluid that moves down the urethra ahead of the seminal fluid. It cleans and neutralizes the urethra to protect the sperm. 2. Description: A gland near the urethra. H. Penis 1. Function: Deposits semen in female animals. Papilla serves this function in poultry 2. Description: Rod like tissue covered by sheath. I. Sheath 1. Function: Protects penis from injury. 2. Description: Skin that covers the penis. Poultry Reproductive System A. The major difference between mammals and poultry reproductive systems is that the embryo of livestock develops inside the female s body and the poultry embryo develops outside the body. Papilla is the organ in male poultry s cloaca wall that puts the sperm in the hen s reproductive tract B. Chickens (domestic birds) have only the left ovary and oviduct functional at maturity (produce eggs). The right ovary and oviduct do not function. C. Egg- function is reproduction, but is eaten as food by humans and wild animals. D. Domestic chickens lay an egg every 24-28 hours regardless even if sperm are not present. Commercially sold eggs are not fertilized. E. Incubation time for chicken eggs is 21 days. Turkeys and ducks eggs incubation is 28 days. Parts and Functions of the Poultry Reproductive System A. Ovary- poultry only have one functioning ovary as compared to livestock animals. 1. Function: Produces ova and hormones. The yolk of an egg is the ovum. 2. Description: An attached cluster of yellow, round egg yolks. B. Infundibulum 1. Function: The place where fertilization takes place. 2. Description: Funnel shaped structure located just below the ovary. It is the start of the oviducts. C. Oviduct- tube like structure that consists of five parts: 1. Magnum- secretes the thick egg white or albumen. 2. Isthmus- adds the two shell membranes.
3. Uterus- secretes the thin white, the shell and the shell pigment. 4. Vagina- holds the egg until it is laid. D. Cloaca 1. Function: Location where the papilla of the male bird deposits semen. Egg also passes through this part. 2. Description: Located between vent and base of oviduct. E. Vent 1. Function: Expel egg, liquid and solid waste. 2. Description: Outside opening to the poultry reproductive tract. Parturition of Animals A. If an ovum of the female animal is fertilized and the animal becomes pregnant, the embryo begins to grow and develop. B. After a period of embryological development, the developing animal is referred to as a fetus. C. During gestation, the fetus develops in the uterus. D. At the end of the gestations period, parturition begins. E. Normal position of the fetus at birth: 1. Front feet first with legs slightly offset from each other to allow for shoulders to pass through birth canal. 2. Nose tucked between front legs. 3. Shoulders. 4. Body or middle of animal. 5. Hips. 6. Back legs and feet. F. Any presentation (position at birth) that does not have the order stated above is abnormal and could cause problems as severe as death of the newborn animal and/or the mother. G. Parturition Process 1. Begins when increased estrogen causes the uterus muscles to contract. 2. First water bag appears, enlarges and breaks open. 3. Soon afterwards, the second water bag containing the fetus breaks open and the presentation of the calf begins. 4. Several hours later, the placenta and other membranes (afterbirth) are expelled. If afterbirth is not expelled, the animal will become sick. The Cell A. Body is made up of millions of tiny structural units called cells. B. The cell is the basic unit of the body the supports and sustains life of an animal. C. Cell Parts 1. Protoplasm- the material or contents inside of a cell. 2. Cell Membrane- a thin layer of protein and fat that surround the cell. Some substances can pass into the cell and the membrane blocks others materials from entering. 3. Centrosome- small body where the microtubules are made. The centrosome divides during mitosis. 4. Nucleus- gives cell ability to grow, digest food and divide. Contains chromosomes and DNA. 5. Cytoplasm- a jellylike substance that gives the cell shape and contains components necessary for cell functions. 6. Golgi body- located near the nucleus and produces the membrane that surrounds the lyosomes.
7. Lyosome- round shaped organelles that contain digestive enzymes that allow for digestion of cell nutrients. 8. Mitochondrion- rod-shaped organelles that convert the energy stored in glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate). 9. Nuclear membrane- the membrane that surround the nucleus. 10. Nucleolus- organelle found inside the nucleus. Produced ribosomal RNA. 11. Endoplasmic Reticulum- transports materials through the cell. 12. Vacuole- fluid filled membrane that fills with food and waste products inside the cell. 13. Ribosome- site of protein synthesis. Cell Division A. Mitosis- type of cell division that increases the total number of cells and results in animal growth with the chromosome pairs being duplicated in each new cell. 1. Results in animal growth. 2. Animals begin as a single cell. 3. Chromosomes are duplicated in each new cell as division occurs. 4. There are four typical stages in mitosis cell division: i. Prophase- the nucleolus disappears and centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell. Fibers begin to form and extend from the centromeres. ii. Metaphase- spindle fibers align the chromosomes along the middle of the cell nucleus. iii. Anaphase- the paired chromosomes separate and move to opposite sides of the cell. iv. Telophase- nuclear membrane forms around the newly divided chromosomes and cell membrane begins to contract. B. Meiosis- type of cell division that produces the sex cells or gametes that have ½ the number of chromosomes that body cells have. 1. Gamete Formation i. One set of chromosomes come from the sperm and one from the ovum. ii. The zygote that is created during fertilization has chromosomes from each parent. Chromosomes match up with one another based on the genetic information they carry. 2. Sex cell formation of the sperm and ova are also produced through meiosis: i. Production of sperm is called spermatogenesis. 1. Male animals begin producing sperm at sexual maturity. 2. Spermatocytes divide into spermatids through meiosis. ii. Production of an ovum is called oogenesis. 1. Females also begin producing ova at sexual maturity. 2. The oocytes divide and form an ovum. The ovum contains cytoplasm and stored food. It provides nourishment for the zygote and embryo. Chromosomes and Genes A. Chromosomes- rod-shaped bodies that are in pairs. 1. Cattle- 30 pairs. 2. Hogs- 19 pairs. 3. Chickens- 39 pairs. B. Genes- located on chromosomes, control characteristics that are inherited from parents. C. Dominant Genes- hide the effect of recessive genes (covers recessive traits). Represented by a capital letter. D. Recessive Genes- mask dominant genes, but can show up when heterozygous gene pairs (Pp x Pp) combine as homozygous recessive pp. In this case if p is the recessive trait for horns, the calf will have horns. E. Homozygous- genes are the same on each allele.
F. Heterozygous- gene pairs that carry two different genes that affect a trait. Heritability Estimates A. Heritability- the likelihood of a trait being passed on from parent to offspring. B. Heritability estimates vary from 0% to about 70%. C. If a trait is highly heritable, a producer will see improvements faster than traits that have a low heritability estimate. D. Heritability estimates for traits in beef cattle are generally higher than for traits in swine. E. Heritability traits are usually higher for carcass quality traits than for reproduction traits in both swine and beef cattle. F. Traits with low heritability estimates are improved most through environment, and those traits with high heritability estimates are improved most by selective breeding and environmental improvements.