44 Farms-Texas A&M International Beef Cattle Academy consists of seven online courses of approximately 30 hours each. The completion of six courses is required for certification.
Introduction
Lead instructors: Dr. Reinaldo Cooke and Dr. Ky Pohler
Content highlights
- Introduction to the International Beef Cattle Academy
- Overview of the worldwide beef industry
Course 1 – Cattle Welfare and Behavior (30 hrs; October)
Lead instructors: Dr. Courtney Daigle and Dr. Ron Gill
Content highlights
- Overview of ethics and bioethics, regulations, and welfare auditing
- Stress physiology and impacts on animal biology
- Types of stressors and mitigation strategies
- Behavior and welfare considerations across beef production systems
Course 2 – Forage Production and Utilization (30 hrs; November – December)
Lead instructors: Dr. Jason Banta, Dr. Jamie Foster, Dr. Vanessa Olson and Dr. João Vendramini
Content highlights
- New concepts in anatomy and physiology of forages
- Forage production across the globe
- Management, quality, and conservation of forages
- Interactions among soil, plants and cattle
Course 3 – Nutritional Management and Requirements (30 hrs; December – January)
Lead instructors: Dr. Luis Tedeschi and Dr. Gordon Carstens
Content highlights
- Overview of nutritional anatomy, physiology, requirements, and concepts
- Nutritional management in cow-calf, stocker, and finishing (forage ad grain-based) systems
- Diet formulation, metabolic modifiers, and nutritional disorders
- Sustainability of beef cattle production
Course 4 – Reproductive Physiology and Management (30 hrs; February – March)
Lead instructors: Dr. Ky Pohler, Dr. Rodolfo Cardoso, Dr. Bruce Carpenter, and Dr. Cliff Lamb
Content highlights
- Male and female anatomy, physiology and endocrinology
- Breeding season management
- Reproductive technologies
- Pregnancy diagnosis
Course 5 – Breeding and Genetics (30 hrs; March – April)
Lead instructors: Dr. Andy Herring and Dr. Joe Paschal
Content highlights
- Fundamentals of gene action and genetic influences
- Breeding and crossbreeding systems
- Large-scale genetic evaluation and genetic prediction (EPDs and EBV)
- Genomic tests and applications, and utilization of genetic information in production systems
Course 6 – Immunology and Herd Health Management (30 hrs; April – May)
Lead instructors: Dr. Thomas Hairgrove and Dr. Reinaldo Cooke
Content highlights
- New concepts in immunology, vaccinology, and parasitology
- Etiology, characteristics, prevention, and treatment of major cattle diseases
- Health management across all segments of beef cattle industry
- Transboundary and vector-borne diseases
Course 7– Beef Quality and Safety (50 hrs; May – July)
Lead instructors: Dr. Matthew Taylor and Dr. Rhonda Miller
Content highlights
- Concepts of food safety systems impacting beef production and their application.
- Muscle ultrastructure, development, composition, and physiology
- Pre-harvest production practices impacting beef safety and quality
- Presence/transmission of human pathogens in beef
- Harvest and production of beef carcasses
- Beef grading
- Beef fabrication
- Factors affecting meat color, appearance, and palatability
Experiential learning and Graduation Ceremony at Texas A&M (August; NOT REQUIRED to receive certification)
Lead instructors: Dr. Ky Pohler
Content highlights
- Debrief and interact with lead instructors of each course
- Visit to commercial beef operations in Texas
- Tour of Texas A&M campus and research facilities
- Graduation ceremony during the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course
Contact Us
44 Farms-Texas A&M International Beef Cattle Academy
Dr. Ky Pohler
Odile Polanco Jimenez
[email protected]