Livestock: Miscellaneous Facts

The term “livestock” can refer to a wide range of animals, although in the United States we usually think of it referring mostly to cattle, sheep, and pigs. People have raised domesticated animals for centuries. Around the world, these domesticated animals are varied according to climate and geography, and can include goats, cattle, sheep, pigs, donkeys, horses, poultry, camels, ostriches, llamas, and even bees.

Raising livestock is usually done for one of several purposes: for milk; for meat; for textiles, including wool and leather; for manual labor; for fertilizer, in the form of manure; or sometimes even for land management, by grazing.

Today, young people are being trained up in the ways of their livestock-raising forebears through organizations like 4-H and Future Farmers of America. These kids usually learn a variety of farming techniques, and even get the chance to raise an animal on their own. These animals are usually taken to fairs or stock shows to be sold once they’re grown. The selling price is put toward the child’s schooling expenses or used as a scholarship for a future college education. This way, a young person learns in a very hands-on way how to raise and care for livestock, and can also see the benefits (financial and otherwise) of producing a quality animal.

A big part of raising livestock is caring for their health and well-being. It’s important to be familiar with the various diseases and conditions that can befall your animals. Awareness of the symptoms and signs of injuries or ailments can go a long way toward treating and even curing many medical problems before they get out of hand.