1.1 Perspectives and History

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical acts, taxonomy, domestication ancestors, and animal terminology from AVS 1500.

Arable Land

Land that can be plowed, meaning that it is capable of being farmed either with livestock or crops.

Domestication

A multi-generational mutualistic relationship in which an animal species takes control and care of another species to obtain from them a steady supply of resources.

Fertile Crescent

The Mediterranean region where the first agriculturists were located and plant and animal domestication began over 15,000 years ago.

Taxonomy

The scientific naming, defining, and classifying of groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics.

Breed

A group of animals that possess certain characteristics that distinguish themselves from other animals within the same species, which are transmitted from one generation to the next.

Purebreds

Individual animals within a breed that possess a recorded pedigree.

Animal Husbandry

The methods employed in keeping domestic animals in such a way as to avoid their abuse but so as to provide food, fiber, entertainment, and company.

Capitalism

An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit, where decisions regarding supply, demand, price, distribution, and investments are not made by the government.

Morrill Act of 1862

Federal act that provided for the establishment of one land grant institution in each U.S. state.

Morrill Act of 1890

Federal act that provided for the establishment of a second land grant for segregated southern states.

Morrill Act of 1994

Federal act that provided for the establishment of a tribal land grant in 12 Western states.

Hatch Act of 1887

Federal act that provided for the establishment of an agricultural experiment station in each U.S. state.

Smith-Lever Act of 1914

Federal act that provided for the creation of the Extension Service.

Bos taurus / Bos indicus

Scientific taxonomy for domestic cattle.

Sus scrofa domesticus

Scientific taxonomy for domestic swine/pigs.

Equus caballus

Scientific taxonomy for domestic horses.

Equus asinus

Scientific taxonomy for donkeys.

Ovis aries

Scientific taxonomy for domestic sheep.

Capra hircus

Scientific taxonomy for domestic goats.

Gallus domesticus

Scientific taxonomy for domestic chickens.

Meleagris gallopavo

Scientific taxonomy for domestic turkeys.

Canis familiaris

Scientific taxonomy for domestic dogs.

Felis catus

Scientific taxonomy for domestic cats.

Aurochs (Bos primigenius)

Wild oxen from which modern domestic cattle descended.

Canis lupus

The grey wolf species from which domestic dogs were domesticated.

Felis sylvestris lybica

The Near Eastern wildcat from which domestic cats were domesticated.

Gallus gallus

The wild jungle fowl of Asia from which domestic poultry were domesticated.

Artiodactyla

Taxonomic order of mammals possessing an even number of toes, including ruminants and swine.

Perissodactyla

Taxonomic order of mammals possessing an odd number of toes, including Equidae.

Heifer

Terminology for a young female cattle.

Gilt

Terminology for a young female swine.

Steer

Terminology for a young castrated male cattle.

Barrow

Terminology for a young castrated male swine.

Wether

Terminology for a young castrated male sheep or goat.

Stag

Terminology for an old castrated male animal (cattle, swine, sheep, or goats).

Molly

Terminology for a mature female mule.

John Mule

Terminology for a mature male mule.

Boxed Beef

A major packaging and shipping innovation introduced in 1967 in the meat industry.

Neolithic Age

The historical era ($10{,}000$–$16{,}000$ years ago) during which the transition from hunter-gatherers to agricultural planters began.

Primary Purpose of Cat Domestication

Protection of stored agricultural goods from rodents and pests.

Primary Purpose of Cattle Domestication

Religious reasons and rituals, according to historical consensus.

Filly

Terminology for a young female horse.

Colt

Terminology for a young male horse.

Gelding

Terminology for a castrated male horse or mule.

Sow

Terminology for a mature female swine.

Boar

Terminology for a mature male swine.

Ewe

Terminology for a mature female sheep.

Ram

Terminology for a mature male sheep.

Doe

Terminology for a mature female goat.

Buck

Terminology for a mature male goat.

Refrigerated Rail Cars

An agricultural infrastructure development introduced in 1873 that revolutionized the transport of perishable meat products.

Average Worldwide People Fed per US Farmer

Approximately $166$ people worldwide.

Percentage of US Land Designated as Cropland

Approximately $20\%$ ($460$ million acres) of total US land.

NIMBY

Not in my backyard

PPSPY

Pigs per sow per year

Precocial

Move about and do things while young

Alificial

Cannot move around or do anything when young, born blind/naked/fully dependent