Livestock influences on Agricultural environments

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from the Livestock influences on Agricultural environments lecture notes.

Agricultural biotechnology

Use of biotechnological tools to improve crops, animals, and microorganisms for agriculture.

Genetic engineering

Direct modification of an organism's genes to achieve desired traits.

Embryo transfer

Transferring embryos from a donor female to a recipient female to propagate genetics.

CRISPR

A gene-editing technology that enables precise, efficient modification of DNA.

US agencies regulating agricultural biotechnology

USDA, FDA, and EPA regulate agricultural biotechnology.

Developed countries

Countries with high levels of economic development and industrialized economies.

Developing countries

Countries with lower to middle income and varying development levels.

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; classifies development and supports agriculture.

Industrialized

A synonym for highly developed economies with advanced technology.

Subsistence farming

Farming aimed at meeting the needs of the farmer's family with little surplus.

Primitive agriculture

Low-input, labor-intensive farming with minimal technology.

Three levels of agricultural development

Developed, Subsistence, Primitive.

Nomadism

Strategic movement of people with herds, without a fixed dwelling.

Transhumance

Seasonal movement of livestock between pastures following water and feed resources.

Slash-and-burn cultivation

Shifting cultivation where land is cleared by burning and used briefly before moving on.

Rudimentary sedentary tillage

Early settled farming with basic tools and minimal inputs.

Subsistence crop and livestock farming

Farming that provides for local consumption with a small surplus.

Aquaculture

Cultivation of aquatic organisms for human consumption.

Paddy rice farming

Rice cultivation in flooded fields, often integrated with aquaculture.

Ranching

Commercial livestock production in dry regions, often cattle, sheep, goats.

Commercial livestock finishing (feedlots)

Confinement feeding to rapidly fatten animals for slaughter.

Commercial dairy farming

Large-scale production of milk and dairy products.

Commercial grain farming

Large-scale production of grains like wheat, corn for market.

Commercial plantations

Large landholdings focusing on a single crop for commercial sale.

Urban agriculture

Farming practices integrated into urban environments.

Market gardening

Small-scale production of vegetables and fruits for local markets.

Livestock waste management

Strategies to reduce pollution from manure and waste.

Manure handling system

Deciding whether manure is collected as solids or liquids and how treated.

Lagoons (aerobic)

Manure lagoons that require oxygen to support bacteria; often produce less odor.

Lagoons (anaerobic)

Oxygen-free manure lagoons; handle larger volumes with lower cost.

Detention ponds

Temporary storage to hold runoff from feedlots before release.

Debris basins

Structures to trap solids from runoff in feedlots.

Diversion (runoff control)

Drainage channels to redirect runoff away from feedlots.

Holding ponds

Ponds for temporary storage of manure before disposal.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Indicator of water pollution potential due to organic matter.

Fecal coliform

Bacteria used as an indicator of contamination in water.

Fecal Streptococcus

Bacteria indicator for fecal contamination in water.

Phosphorus

Nutrient that can contribute to water pollution via manure.

Ammonia

Nitrogen compound in manure that can pollute air and water.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. federal agency regulating environmental issues.

Nuisance laws

Laws addressing odors, dust, noise, and water pollution from livestock.

Federal Water Quality Act of 1965

Federal law addressing water quality and pollution control.

Reuse Act of 1899

Legislation related to water resource and pollution control.

Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965

Federal law regulating solid waste disposal practices.

Federal Clean Air Act

Federal law regulating air pollutants including emissions from farms.

State EPA

State agencies responsible for environmental protection and regulation.

Disposal methods for dead animals

Burial, burning, pits, or composting; timing matters for disease control.

Composting poultry litter

Decomposing poultry manure with bedding to create nutrient-rich material.

Poultry litter

Poultry manure mixed with bedding materials.

Feedlots

Large confinement operations for fattening livestock prior to slaughter.

Masking odor in waste management

Use of masking agents to cover livestock odor; one control method.

Counteractants

Substances that neutralize odors from livestock waste.

Deodorants

Chemicals that kill odor-causing bacteria.

Digestive deodorants

Bacteria that digest odor compounds to reduce odor.

Dead animal disposal deadline

Animals should be disposed of within 24-48 hours to prevent disease.