Introduction to the red meat industry including organizations, product value, breeds and methods of individual and sire selection. Management goals are evaluated.
 

Study of the establishment and operation of a beef, swine, sheep, or dairy enterprise including production performances, animal environment, marketing strategies, and management alternatives.
 

Study of beef, dairy, horses, sheep and swine evaluation, correlating body type to economical and efficient breeding stock production. Animal evaluation is performed on site for each species.
 

Study of weed plant and seed identification, classification and types of weeds for control purposes, and cultural and chemical control of weeds. A unit on sprayer calibration is included.
 

Study of the importance, uses, and production of biotechnology with an emphasis on the production of crops in South Dakota.
 

Continuation of AG 112. Study of the importance, uses and production of the major row crops and small grains raised in South Dakota. Students assist in the planning and operation of the MTI Land Lab working with projects like seeding rates, fertilizer and chemical products selection and perform the application of those products.
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Study of the accounting process through double-entry accounting, recording business transactions, accounting for cash, accounting for merchandise sales, and completion of the accounting cycle.
 

Review of business math fundamentals such as fractions, decimals, metrics and percentages. Interest calculations, consumer loans, retail and marketing math are covered. Mathematics calculation for areas, and volumes are discussed. Office procedures and legal locations are reviewed. Fulfills diploma mathematics requirement.
**Fulfills diploma mathematics requirement.
 

Selection of building materials and construction. The design and construction concepts of livestock, storage and feed handling facilities is presented.
 

Practice in both oxyacetylene and electric arc welding. Oxyacetylene cutting and brazing are covered, including mild steel welding. Practical experience includes welding butt, lap and fillet joints.
 

Basic farm wiring including calculation of wattage, voltage, and wiring size.
 

Small engine theory, construction, disassembly repair and small engine overhaul. Small engines are overhauled including electrical systems, carburetors, starters, generators, bearings, and seals.
 

Advanced skills in horizontal and vertical joints in both electric arc and oxyacetylene welding are emphasized. Experience on TIG and MIG welders, hard surfacing and cast iron welding is provided. Design and construction of a metal project.
 

Reproductive systems of swine and cattle. Artificial insemination of livestock including pregnancy checking in cows when resources are available.
 

Students are given the task of managing the 78-acre MTI land lab. Decisions regarding ground preparation, planting, cultivating, spraying, harvesting, and marketing are all incorporated into the curriculum.
 

Practice and certification in first aid and CPR, as well as instruction in agricultural equipment and chemical safety.
 

Work off-campus in an agricultural business related to livestock production, feed and animal health, livestock sales, agricultural chemicals, or fertilizer sales and applications.
**Prerequisite: AG 264 and AGTR 165.
 

Community volunteer work outside the classroom. Students will be required to complete a documented number of hours of community service.
 

Preparation and participation in post-secondary Agriculture Student Organization (PAS) for state and national competition. Includes career planning, career progress, extemporaneous speaking, prepared public speaking, sales, agricultural mechanics, and employment interviewing.
 

Overview of the practical skills needed to work with horses day to day. Topics include different aspects of the horse industry, development of the common breeds of pleasure horses, health, care and feeding, breeding, and the business side of horse management.
 

Examination of feed value, costs, and crop use. Animal's nutritional requirements and computation of rations for specific species are discussed.
 

Advanced study of feed stuffs and their values for animals, feed processing practices and ration formulations.
 

Detailed study of livestock diseases, terms, symptoms, and care of sick animals.
 

Study of young mammal development. Microscopic cell study, fetal development, genetics, artificial insemination, pregnancy testing and performance testing are discussed.
 

Familiarizes students with available sources of sire information. Type, pedigree, performance, production (EPD & ratio), carcass, linear (dairy), and dollar data will be analyzed. Students should be able to evaluate the worth of a sire by the end of the course.
 

Study of soil formation, factors affecting productivity, capability classes and conservation.
 

Advanced study of agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and chemical applications. Equipment for liquid and dry chemicals, as well as non-chemical alternatives are studied. A record which includes chemical safety, individual worksheets, and advertising sales literature is maintained. The State Certification Test for Pesticide Applicators is administered. A 70% or higher score is required to spray for certification as a custom applicator in South Dakota.
 

Study of fertilizer types and elements, soil testing, and applications. The blending and manufacturing of dry, liquid and suspension fertilizers is studied.
 

A continuation of AG 108. Animal evaluations will be performed on site.
 

Study of the accounting forms and procedures used in agriculture business. Practice sets and accounting problems are completed for experience necessary for employment in a retail farm store.
 

Agriculture law. Included are contracts, trespass, land use laws, bankruptcy, partnerships, corporations, environmental laws, and estate planning.
 

Development of skills needed by an agricultural salesperson. An investigation of the agricultural sales process and advertising methods.
 

Study of the types and use of credit instruments. Farm budgeting is explored. Finance representatives explain farm credit. Presentations will be made by representatives of outside resources such as banks, PCA, Federal Land Bank, FHA and others.
 

Continuation of the introduction to computers using agriculture programs, Software is used to develop spreadsheet programs, records management, and farm accounting programs.
 

Exploration of life, health, homeowner's, auto, crop and livestock insurance. Taxes are discussed with an emphasis on income tax forms and procedures. Computer software is used in the tax preparation process.
 

Marketing of agricultural products. Profit projection and cost of production is studied. Cash livestock, grain markets, and the futures market in both livestock and grain commodities are studied. Futures and options are explored.
 

Continuation of the AG 152 Building Principles course. Experience in truss rafter, concrete block, and concrete placement is provided.
 

Comparison of agricultural machines. The size of equipment is calculated and a comparison of the economics of buying, owning, or leasing is made.
 

Study of the utilization and safety of specialized agricultural equipment. Operating and calibrating specialized equipment: fork-lifts, skid loaders, articulating loaders, spray coupes and floaters. Demonstrations, on-site observations, and troubleshooting are utilized.
 

Examination of agricultural job opportunities, as well as cooperative management and entrepreneurship. Discussions include professional image, troubleshooting customer complaints, business etiquette, and human relations.
 

Study of the installation of lamps and fixtures, outlets, switches, low-voltage controls, and automatic controls. Troubleshooting of electric motors and farm wiring are included.
 

Continuation of AG 158 Farm Power/Small Engines. Preventative maintenance of hydraulics and diesel engines is learned. Major overhaul of farm tractors is included.
 

Preparation for the operation of levels and transits. Agricultural applications include laying out waterways, terraces, and foundations. Field notes and differential leveling will be performed as lab exercises.
 

Study in the identification and treatment of parasites, and symptoms of infestations.
 

Familiarization with the housing requirements of livestock. The identification and selection of materials, as well as livestock housing system design is completed.
 

Identification of pests, economic thresholds, monitoring techniques, and pest control. Emphasis on crop insects, weeds, chemicals, crop diseases, and fertility.
 

A two-semester study of the primary grasses of South Dakota. Students will develop skills in identification, natural habitat, and annual feed values of each grass. Lab work may include one day spent at South Dakota Rangeland Days, one day in western South Dakota, and three days in the Black Hills.
 

A five-day field trip to the Denver Livestock Show and Rodeo and a tour of the Monfort Feedlots, the Yocom McColl Wool Testing Lab, Excel Packing Plant, and Farr Feedlot.
 

Paid on-the-job training (OJT). Work 12 weeks in an agricultural business related to livestock production, feed and animal health sales, livestock buyers, agricultural chemical and fertilizer sales and applications. (12-week, 480 hours minimum). Prerequisite: AG 256 and departmental approval.
** Prerequisite: AG 256 and departmental approval.
 

Community volunteer work outside the classroom. Students will be required to complete a documented hours of community service.

Preparation and participation in Postsecondary Agriculture Student Organization (PAS) at state and national competition. Included are career planning, career progress, extemporaneous speaking, prepared public speaking, sales, agricultural mechanics, and employment interviewing.