AGRI 2372 – A Global Agricultural Society

About the course:

Designed initially as a global course (General Ed. course requirement)

Requirement dropped the following year

Next year offered as AGRI 3372 – Contemporary Issues (Intensive Writing course)

About the textbook author: P.R. Cheeke

Chapter 1 – DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS (AND PLANTS) AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HUMAN WELFARE

Learning Objectives: 1) To briefly discuss the evolution of

humans, emphasizing the roles of animals (and plants) in the development of human society.

2) To discuss the domestication of the major species on a global basis to illustrate the diversity of animals and plants that contribute to human welfare.

3) To discuss the diverse contributions of domestic animals and plants to humans, particularly emphasizing some of the roles that might be less familiar to North Americans.

I. EARLY HUMAN EVOLUTION

II. THE DOMESTICATION OF

PLANTS AND ANIMALS

III. ROLES OF ANIMALS AND

ANIMAL PRODUCTS IN

HUMAN WELFARE

IV. ROLE OF LIVESTOCK

PRODUCTION IN

SUSTAINABLE

AGRICULTURE

V. LIVESTOCK IN

DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMS

VI. CONCLUSIONS

Chapter Outline:

Source: Heifer International.

Chapter 1 - DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS (AND PLANTS) AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HUMAN WELFARE

I. Early Human Evolution

- Earliest archeological evidence of Homo erectus (1.6 million years ago) from Africa indicates: Hunter-gatherers

Used fire

Developed tools

Social organization

Source: Smithsonian Institute (http://humanorigins.si.edu/).

100,000-200,000 years ago, Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa to Asia and Europe

NatGeo Jan. (2013)

Chapter 1 - DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS (AND PLANTS) AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HUMAN WELFARE

Humans Evolved as Omnivores: Cooking with fire detoxifies plant

toxins/increased energy (supporting smaller gut and larger brain size) and protein digestion

Dental morphology (similar to both herbivores & carnivores)

Early humans consumed organs, (including brains), fat and bone marrow

Opportunistic feeders (both plant and animal food products)

Cultures without livestock have remained to this day as primitive hunter-gatherers

N.B. The topic of evolution is accepted by the Catholic church.

Chapter 1 - DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS (AND PLANTS) AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HUMAN WELFARE

Hunting and Gathering:

Humans existed as hunters and gatherers, gathering foods like seeds, fruits, roots and tubers. The distribution and characteristics of plant species were determined by the environment; the physical (climate, soil, topography) and biological interactions of plant, animal and human populations. No one truly knows what caused humans to propagate and grow specific kinds of plants near their homes. But it changed life as it was and changed humans and their surrounding environment forever. This evolved into organization of a more agrarian society. About 4,500 years ago, tribes from the Middle East introduced agriculture throughout Europe, displacing many hunter-gatherer societies (article).

Source: Crop Science

Department, Oregon State

University.

Source: Gen Ed. 110/Washington State University.

II. The Domestication of Plants and Animals

Source: C. Simpson (PLSS 3332: Plant Propagation Lectures).

Source: C. Simpson (PLSS 3332: Plant Propagation Lectures).

Source: Ms. C. Simpson (PLSS 3332: Plant Propagation Lectures).

Source: Wikipedia

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_breeding).

Early Crops

Meso-America : maïze, bean, avocado, tomato, vanilla, cocoa

South America : tobacco, groundnut, potato, sweet potato, cotton, tomato, pineapple, peppers, Cassava, rubber-tree

Middle East : oats, barley, rye, wheat, peas, lentil, flax, olive-tree, vine, fig-tree, date palm-tree

Central Africa : millet, sorghum, yam, coffee, oil palm-tree

Western China : millet, soya, tea

South-East Asia, Southern Pacific : rice, banana, sugar cane, orange tree, egg plant, coconut tree, pepper

Source: Ms. C. Simpson (PLSS 3332: Plant Propagation Lectures).

Source: Ms. C. Simpson (PLSS 3332: Plant Propagation Lectures).

Yams Sweet Potatoes

Plant Domestication

• “The domestication of plants is one of the first

steps in moving towards a full-fledged agricultural

economy, although the process is by no means a

one-directional movement. A plant is said to be

domesticated when its native characteristics are

altered such that it cannot grow and reproduce

without human intervention. Domestication is

thought to be the result of the development of a

symbiotic relationship between the plants and

humans, called co-evolution, because plants

and human behaviors evolve to suit one another.

In the simplest form of co-evolution, a human

harvests a given plant selectively, based on the

preferred characteristics, such as the largest

fruits, and uses the seeds from the largest fruits

to plant the next year”.

Source: http://archaeology.about.com/od/domestications/a/plant_domestic.htm.

Fig Tree in the Judean Desert of Israel

Plant Domestication

• The most important food crops were

and still are seed/grain crops like

wheat, barley and rice, which provided

carbohydrates, and legumes which

provided proteins. Rudimentary

genetic selection and propagation

cycles allowed these people to select

for high yield, seed size, and other

desirable qualities. Single plants of

some species (grape, fig, olive,

pomegranate, potato, yams, banana

and pineapple) could be selected

directly from wild populations and fixed

through vegetative propagation.

Source: Ms. C. Simpson (PLSS 3332: Plant Propagation Lectures).

Figure: American Scientist (July-August, 1994).

Case, L. 2008. ASAS Centennial

Paper: Perspectives on

domestication: The history of our

relationship with man’s best

friend. J. Anim. Sci. 86:3245-3251.

Animal Domestication

DOMESTICATED BOVIDS

Cattle (Bos taurus/Bos indicus)

~7,500-8,000 years ago from Near East/ Europe

Challenge to domesticate

Social behavior

History/Rituals/Customs

Provided meat at first

100’s of breeds world-wide

Water buffalo (Bubalis bubalis)

~4,000 years ago from Pakistan

Uses include work, milk, and meat

Typically fed low quality, fibrous diet

Yak (Bos granniens)

~4,000 years ago from Himalayas

Uses include work, hides, milk, and meat

Others (Banteng, Bison, Musk ox)

N.B. Widely used in Asia as a work animal.

Photos: Wikipedia.

BISON (Bison bison) North American origin

Pre-Columbian estimate of 60 million head

Near extinction by 1890

Presently, >400,000 head

Hybridize with cattle: Females sub-fertile

Males sterile

Recently domesticated

Unique traits

Niche meat markets N.B. Loved by environmentalists.

GOAT (Capra hircus) Near East

~10,000 years ago

Natural herding/Social instincts but less gregarious than sheep

Ruminants/Grazing, but are better browsers than sheep

Provided meat (not milk or mohair)

N.B. Blamed for erosion.

SHEEP (Ovis aries)

Near East (descended from goats)

~10,000 years ago

Natural herding/ Social instincts

Ruminants/Grazing

Rituals/Customs

Provided meat (not wool or milk)

N.B. Hair breeds common in LDCs.

Photo: Wikipedia.

HORSE (Equus caballus)

Asia (So. Central Russia) ~4,300 years ago The ancestral “Przewalski’s horse” Initially for Trade, then as a “war

machine” Tremendous influence on human

history (Riding/Work/Politics) Selection for body size Stirrup invented 1,500 years ago Iron horse shoe Western Europe as draft animal Early 1900’s – millions of horses in U.S. N.B. Probably the most abused domesticated species.

Source: http://nationalzoo.si.edu

Donkey (Equus asinus)

A major work animal in many countries. More hardy than horses, especially more heat-tolerant. Also used as guard animals (article).

N.B. Donkeys evolved in deserts of Africa.

SWINE (Sus scrofa)

Near East/Asia ~8,000 years ago Old vs. New World Pigs Wild scavenger Captive reproduction Selection for docility Family “garbage disposal” until 20th

Century Primary source of meat “Pastured Pork” (Polyface Farms) N.B. Pork is the most important meat source in the world.

SWINE (Sus scrofa)

Figure 2. Global status of pig breeds. Source: The state of the world’s

animal genetic resources for food and agriculture (1st), 2006 [8] Source: Chen et al. (2007)

CHICKENS (Gallus domesticus)

Descendants from SE Asian junglefowl

Domesticated ~3,400 years ago

First for cock-fighting

Provided meat & eggs

Suitable for subsistence farms - “Family without chickens is sign of poverty”

Commercial line selection/ Hybridization (Corporate-owned)

“Pastured Poultry”

Other major/minor poultry include Ducks, Geese, Guinea fowl, Muscovy, Pheasants, Pigeons, Quail, Ratites, Turkeys

N.B. Studied by Charles Darwin

RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Iberian Peninsula

~400 years ago

Domesticated in Monasteries

Garden/kitchen “wastes”

Provided meat

45-50 U.S. breeds

Other small species include, for example, cane rats, capybaras, and guinea pigs

Rabbits vs. Hares (article)

N.B. Increased importance in development projects to alleviate hunger and poverty.

OTHER LIVESTOCK SPECIES Camels

Guinea pigs

Llamas

Reindeer

Deer/Elk

Reptiles

Other terms:

Aquaculture

Game farming

Microlivestock

N.B. Niche species or breed of cultural and(or) geographic importance.

III. Role of Animals and Animal Products in Human Welfare

Multiple benefits from livestock production (A “symbiotic relationship” -

Animals may live a life free from fear and stress): Animal proteins generally have higher nutritional value than plant proteins (e.g.,

eggs and meat). (Link to recent article in Nature on early cheese making.) Major source of wealth (as dowry and as “walking banks”) Cultural roles (animal sacrifices, cockfighting, bullfighting, rodeos, shows) The sacred cow of India (dung, milk, and work) Animal dung as fuel (e.g., from dung patties to biogas (methane), typically from

conversion of straw or other fibrous feeds, as well as for fertilizer) Use of feathers, fur, hair or wool (natural fibers) as less important than in the past Leather – Still is widely used for various purposes Pharmaceutical and medical products (e.g., antibodies and hormones) Animal Power – Important in many developing countries, but still used in

European countries (Poland and Russia). Animal power is making a come-back due to fossil fuel shortages (Brazil and Chile). Oxen and buffalo can subsist on fibrous feeds.

N.B. Draft animals provide the power for the cultivation of nearly 50 percent of the world’s

cultivated land and the hauling of over 25 million carts. More than 240 million cattle and 60

million buffalo are kept as work animals (Teleni and Murray, 1991).

IV. Role of Livestock Production in Sustainable Agriculture

Terms for discussion: Sustainable Agriculture Alternative Agriculture

(to Monoculture) Soil Erosion Crop Rotations Optimal Resource

Utilization (nutrient recycling)

Crop-Livestock Integration

Land Stewardship (shaping values)

Industrial Agriculture

V. Livestock in Development Programs

The perception of many

animal scientists is that research plays “second fiddle” to grant funding awarded to plant scientists to do research. Reasons?

Expatriate (foreign) “experts” have livestock as the “bad guys”. Reasons?

The multiple roles that livestock fulfill are often ignored by economists and politicians.

Philanthropic organizations (Heifer International).

N.B. Timely article (link) Grassroots approach to development: “Passing on the Gift”

Source: Heifer International.

VI. Conclusions

Table 1-1 Contributions of livestock to human well-being in a global context (Adapted from Hodges, 1999)

- Provision of work-draft animals

- Transportation of goods and people

- Animal fat and protein for improved nutrition

- Milk to enable human infants to survive

- Leather, wool, and horn for clothing and shelter

- Animal fat for burning for illumination

- Dung fuel for cooking and heating

- Animal power for pumping water to irrigate crops

- Benefits on crops in integrated farming systems

- Conversion of fibrous vegetation to human-edible food

- Influence on human culture and values, traditions and rituals.