AGS 101 - Working with Animals

1. Assess the integrated contributions of form, function, behavior and health on productive expectations of livestock (domesticated animals)
   1. Observe and recognize normal behavior and indicators of animal well-being
   2. Summarize typical growth rates and production cycles
   3. Describe and classify animals by commonly accepted terms for each species
   4. Identify and label anatomical parts of animals 
   5. Articulate the implications of anatomical differences on performance and longevity
   6. Classify livestock breeds by type and accompanying contributions to the industry
   7. Perceive and prioritize traits in the context of animal value towards fulfilling a specific purpose
2. Evaluate safe, humane and effective animal handling and restraint techniques
   1. Recognize indicators of dangerous behavior rooted in fear, aggression or protective instinct
   2. Examine the function and intended purpose of animal handling facilities and equipment
   3. Demonstrate capability to appropriately use basic animal husbandry tools
   4. Display comprehension and appropriate utilization of animal flight zones
   5. Identify factors which alter typical behavior 
   6. Utilize restraint techniques appropriate for the species and individual animal based on informed judgments of their temperament
   7. Distinguish acceptable and unacceptable animal handling practices
   8. Acknowledge factors which inhibit animal movement
   9. Predict animal response to various stimuli
3. Summarize the rationale and justification, alternative methods and implications of timing of standard animal agricultural management practices
   1. Recognize commonly performed procedures in food animal production
   2. Describe the merit of these basic applications in the context of consumer demand, producer safety and animal well-being
   3. Comprehend the predictable and potential consequences of electing not to perform these procedures on consumer satisfaction, animal health and producer profitability
   4. Know the motives of animal agricultural opponents and their publicly stated opinions
   5. Discuss and/or defend common animal agriculture production practices
4. Compare production systems between and within species and differentiate management impacts on animal well-being, performance and consumer satisfaction with animal products.
   1. Examine historical animal housing and rearing challenges and limitations with realistic environmentally enhanced production opportunities available in the present day 
   2. Explain the benefits of key innovations towards improving the health and performance of domestic animals
   3. Cite health and performance indicators and benchmarks producers use to troubleshoot problems and establish production goals
   4. Recognize common diet ingredients and feed delivery systems utilized by various species in different production systems
   5. Understand the typical life-cycle of animals and expected time spent in each productive phase 
   6. Diagnose potential hazards and negative influences on standard animal production expectations
   7. Strategize positive augmentations to realize improved animal health and performance
5. Critique animal handling and production practices in accordance with guiding principles established by relevant third party verification systems
   1. Implement Des Moines Area Community College Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee policies in all laboratory activities
   2. Align with all applicable Quality Assurance standards and guidelines governing the daily care, application of agriculture production practices and when making management decisions affecting livestock