Like other businesses , the cattle business is changing with the development of new technology . Computers play a big role in most cattle operations . Computers allow producers to keep track of information about their individual animals . Now they can record information on calving , breeding , health , and finances . They can keep track of nutritional information and manage their feed inventories . The internet provides a way to find out about seed stock they may want to use for breeding or a way of selling the year ’ s calf crop .
The science of genetics allows ranchers to select superior animals for breeding . Ranchers are able to choose cattle better suited to various climates and grasses . They are now able to improve cattle to provide a better quality of meat and more meat per animal . A process called ultrasound tells the feedlot manager when the animal is ready to be processed .
Computer chips in ear tags ( EID tags ) allow animals to be tracked during their lives . Processors can read the chip to learn who raised the animal , who fed it , what vaccinations it has had , when and what it was fed and where it was raised . Today ’ s rancher must not only know animal husbandry , but must also understand genetics , computers , nutrition , ecology , botany , range science , and more .
Draw a line between the word that describes what a rancher needs to know to do the task . genetics determine into which pastures the cattle will be placed and how long they will be allowed to graze in an area computers decide which bull to buy to breed to a herd of cows nutrition keep track of information on each cow ecology analyze what nutrients are in hay to be fed to cattle to determine what minerals need to be fed botany look at pastures for plants poisonous to cattle range science determine the best method for eliminating the poisonous plants found in a pasture