AN 320 - Cow-calf Management

3 Credits
Outline Effective Date: Academic Year 2025/2026
Revised Date: Sep 3, 2025
Date Approved: Sep 3, 2025

Lecture Hours: 42

Course Description:
This course is a detailed study of a Canadian ranch operation including the day-to-day duties, planning and strategic management. Lecture sessions are used to investigate good management practices along with new ideas within the industry. Students are encouraged to use their own practical experience in lecture as they investigate, develop and discuss working plans that can be implemented into a current operation.

Rationale:
This is a course for students in the Beef Science Major of the Animal Science Technology diploma and the Livestock stream of the Post-Bachelor Certificate in Commercial Agriculture Production program. A thorough understanding of the relationship of economics, nutrition, breeding, genetics, facilities and health care is needed to make sound management decisions in a cow/calf operation.

Prerequisites: AN 315 or AN 316
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
A student who successfully completes the course will have reliably demonstrated the ability to

1.identify the key indicators for success in a cow-calf operation.

2.describe the economic impact of various management strategies on the profitability of a cow-calf operation.

3.evaluate strategic business decisions in cow-calf production relating to economies of scale, input costs, and fixed costs.

4.formulate risk management strategies for dealing with market and production related challenges.

5.develop a herd management plan including strategies that address nutrition and health issues in a cow-calf operation.

6.outline various government and industry programs related to food safety, product traceability and carcass quality.

7.generate innovative strategies for increasing the sustainability of the beef industry in the global market.

8.describe various financing alternatives for funding operations in a cow-calf operation.

Required Resource Materials:
Alberta Agriculture. (2008). The beef cow-calf manual (4th ed.). Alberta Agriculture and Food

Information Packaging Centre.

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:
This course contains approximately 42 lecture hours. The lecture portion provides notes and discussion on various topics in the operation and future of ranch operation and management. Proper clothing for outdoor lectures is the responsibility of the student and must be maintained in a clean and appropriate manner.

The term project for this course allows students to analyze all aspects of a cow-calf operation, from budget, nutrition, management, and the general operation of ranch. Each student will be required to complete the term project in order to complete the course.

Classroom and laboratory attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports.

Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours will be required to withdraw and will automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade.).
An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another Instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

NOTE: Any exceptions to the above attendance policy (e.g. timetable conflicts, work-related issues) must be approved in writing by the Department Chair prior to the beginning of the course.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, exams or extended field trips. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:

Economics and Business Management
Low Input vs. High Input Systems
Managing Risk on the Ranch
Genetic Progress of the Cow Herd
Government and Industry Programs and Service

Course Assessments:

Assignments and Quizzes	15%
Class Presentations	20%
Midterm Exam	15%
Term Project	30%
Final Exam	20%
Total	100%

Official final grades will be available on My Lakeland. Grades posted in D2L should be considered interim grades.
“Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.”

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course.

Letter	F	D	D+	C-	C	C+	B-	B	B+	A-	A	A+
Percent Range	0-49	50-52	53-56	57-59	60-64	65-69	70-74	75-79	80-84	85-89	90-94	95-100
Points	0.00	1.00	1.30	1.70	2.00	2.30	2.70	3.00	3.30	3.70	4.00	4.00

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. Lakeland College reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant.

In such cases, the instructor will give students clear and timely notice of changes.

No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from Lakeland College.

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