This unit introduces practical management and animal-care skills needed to maintain a small beef herd, including pasture and water stewardship, selecting and purchasing cattle, humane handling, and routine health maintenance. It builds on foundational principles introduced earlier and prepares students to develop herd-level management plans and make informed production decisions in subsequent units.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze pasture, manure, and water quality data to identify at least three indicators of forage health and environmental risk and recommend two management actions to improve livestock carrying capacity and water safety
- Apply a standardized purchasing checklist to evaluate and compare candidate cattle based on conformation, body condition score, vaccination and health history, and temperament to support a cost-effective buying decision
- Demonstrate safe, low-stress handling and restraint techniques in three common cattle facilities (alley, working chute, and pen) with at least 80% adherence to best-practice steps for animal and handler safety
- Evaluate common beef cattle health issues and construct a basic herd health plan that includes a vaccination schedule, parasite control strategy, and record-keeping procedures suitable for a small-scale operation
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 4 Lessons
- 30 hours
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Instructor
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