ANSC 301 Animal Growth, Development and Evaluation
Sem. 1 Class 2, lab 4, cr 4 (F '08)

A study of meat animal growth and development processes, micro and gross anatomy, and body and carcass composition with application to animal and carcass evaluation.

Textbook: "Principles of Animal Growth and Development," Gerrard & Grant, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, IA  2006, revised printing. 

Objectives:

1. To develop an understanding of animal growth and development and its relation to carcass and live animal traits.
2. To become familiar with techniques used to evaluate meat animals and their carcasses.  Students will be expected to learn the techniques discussed and be able to apply them to slaughter animals and carcasses.  Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the accuracy and objectivity of these evaluation techniques.
3. To develop understanding of carcass composition.  Students will be expected to know the yields of carcass obtained from meat animals and the yields of edible product and waste materials obtained from meat animal carcasses.
4. To relate economically important traits of carcasses to traits of meat animals.  Students will be expected to learn how carcass value is established and its relation to value of slaughter animals.

Subject matter:

1. Concepts of animal growth and development.  This material is discussed in the lecture section which meets twice weekly.
2. Anatomy of the skeletal and musculature systems.  This material will be taught in the laboratory.  Weeks 1 through 3 will be intensive on anatomy and will form the basis for future laboratory sessions.
3. Carcass evaluation techniques and procedures. Taught primarily in the laboratory sessions.
4. Evaluation of slaughter animals and carcasses, which is taught in the laboratory sessions.  Emphasis will be placed on evaluation of economically important traits and their application to determination of carcass value and carcass and animal prices.

Lecture Schedule

Lab Schedule

Grading Policy

Muscle Dissection Photos