Bulletin #1214, Farmer Skills and Knowledge List: General Livestock Animal Health

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By Richard Brzozowski, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Reviewed by Donna Coffin, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu.
Find more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu/publications/.

sheep

The purpose of this skill and knowledge list for general livestock animal health is to help livestock and dairy producers identify the practical skills and knowledge they need related to general animal health. The list can also be used to identify the skills and knowledge they already possess (and could become a part of their personal portfolio).  Having this knowledge and these skills will hopefully improve chances of owning, managing or working at a profitable and successful livestock enterprise.

This list can also be used for employees of the farm to help them identify and gain specific skills related to raising livestock for meat, milk, or fiber.

Producers ought to have the following skills and knowledge about livestock to

  • improve their livestock management skills
  • increase their chances of a profitable livestock enterprise or
  • gain employment on a successful livestock operation.

Circle your current and desired (target) competence using this scale:

1=No knowledge/skill
2=Some knowledge/skill
3=Well-informed/experienced
Recommended knowledge/skill by category My current level My target level
General Animal Health
Be able to observe and recognize a healthy animal – using your sense of sight, smell, touch, and/or sound. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to properly take a rectal temperature of an animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a sick or injured animal (species-specific). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Become familiar with common diseases of farm animals. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Become familiar with common pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that cause disease in livestock, how they reproduce and are generally effectively controlled. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to design, implement, and maintain a health program for the farm animals at their operation. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Understand the importance of having a biosecurity plan for their farm. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to develop and implement a biosecurity plan for their farm. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know and follow the federal and state laws related to purchasing and using medicines for farm animals. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to contact the state veterinarian. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be familiar with the list of reportable diseases in the state. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to select the proper needle size (gauge) for a specific action. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly load a syringe. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to properly give an intramuscular injection (IM) at the proper site on the body. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to properly give a subcutaneous injection (sub-Q). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to properly administer an oral dose of medicine or dewormer. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to calculate the proper dosage of medicine, vaccine or dewormer for an individual animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly store vaccines and other medicines for farm animals. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know the importance of establishing and maintaining a veterinariy-client patient relationship (VCPR). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Become familiar with suitable disinfectants for farm animals, instruments, buildings, and materials. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to take a fecal sample from a single animal (or a representative sample from a group of animals) for an accurate analysis. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how and when to properly disbud or dehorn an animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how and when to properly castrate a young male animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how and when to properly dock the tail of a lamb. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Able to recognize common diseases such as Sore mouth, pneumonia, footrot, mastitis, Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), Caprine arthritis, and encephalitis (CAE). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly handle and dispose of needles and syringes (sharps). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Understand the dangers of handling dead animals. Know how to properly dispose of a dead animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly handle and dispose of needles and syringes (sharps). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Understand the dangers of handling dead animals.Know the properly dispose of a dead animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Become familiar with zootic diseases of farm animals and the threat of specific diseases to humans. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Reproduction & Breeding
Be able to identify the reproductive body parts. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Understand the functions of the reproductive body parts. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to detect the signs and symptoms of heat (estrous). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Understand the basics of artificial insemination (species-specific). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly assist at birthing. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Recognize dystocia (abnormal birth) and how to assist. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to list and assemble the components of a birthing kit (species-specific). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly handle and care for a newborn (species-specific). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to extract colostrum from a birthing mom (dam). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to handle and store colostrum. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to stomach tube feed (species-specific). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly feed a newborn animal from a bottle. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to mix, use, and store milk replacer. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Feeding and Nutrition
Know feed requirements for the animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to recognize spoilage of feedstuffs. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know body condition scoring of animal (species-specific). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to recognize a reduction in appetite. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to determine the quality and quantity of forage in pastured animals. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Management / Other
Know when to call a veterinarian. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to effectively describe an animal health-related situation to a veterinarian. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know the different techniques for effectively controlling flies and other external parasites. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know techniques for preventing predation from wild animals (species-specific). 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know the space and sanitation needs of species to keep them comfortable and reduce stress. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to treat an infected cut or laceration. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to provide first aid to an injured animal. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Be able to keep an up-to-date record of all medicines and vaccines. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know the risks of visiting other farms or interacting with animals from other farms. 1 2 3 1 2 3
Know how to properly wash and disinfect the trailer or truck before/after hauling animals. 1 2 3 1 2 3

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