AN 325 - Feedlot Production

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

Lecture Hours: 42 Lab Hours: 20

Course Description:
This course covers common practices and guidelines of production in Western Canadian feedlots. Topics include history, induction, cattle types, feeds and feeding, economics, marketing, day-to-day management, efficiency, and future of the industry. Emphasis is placed on knowledge for employment and self-management decision-making.

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. It is important for students planning a career in beef cattle production to understand the focus, operation and management of Canadian feedlots.

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.explain the fundamentals of feedlot employment and management.

2.describe the relationship of economics to types of cattle feed.

3.discuss feeder cattle selection and projected economics.

4.evaluate feeding programs and their components.

5.explain break-even calculations and feed conversions.

6.assist in troubleshooting feedlot efficiency and performance.

7.process and handle cattle.

8.recognize metabolic disorders and their causes.

9.define disease management strategies.

10.discuss the future of the feedlot industry.

Required Resource Materials:
None

Optional Resource Materials:
Recommended Texts:

Marx, T., Hand, R., & Engstrom, D. (Eds). (2000). Alberta feedlot management: guide and

calculators (2nd ed.). Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development; Feeder

Association of Alberta Ltd. Computer disk.

Albin & Thompson. (1996). Cattle feeding: a guide to management. (2^nd ed.).

Trafton Printing, Inc.

Conduct of Course:
This course involves approximately 42 hours of lecture and 20 hours of laboratory work.

Lab work will involve field trips to local feedlots along with activities in the beef unit at the college.

Principles of feedlot management are taught in the context of modern feedlot operations. Students learn how to investigate, interpret and undertake tasks and duties in part of working at a feedlot.

Students are required to complete a 2-day feedlot practicum along with a brief practicum on the college farm. A term project is required. Reliability and practice are fundamental to good husbandry. Students failing to perform assigned duties will be asked to withdraw from the course. The arrangements for industry practicums are arranged by the student with assistance and approval by the instructor.

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:

Fundamentals of the Feedlot Industry
Facilities and Environmental Issues
Selection of Feeder Cattle and Feedlot Performance
Feedlot Nutrition
Feedlot Animal Health
Marketing and Economics
Carcass Valuation and the Consumer
Feedyard Management

Course Assessments:

Midterm	30%
Assignments	10%
Practicum	20%
Lab Work	10%
Final Exam	30%
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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