AN 325 - Feedlot Production

3 Credits

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 course for students in the Beef Science Major of the Animal Science Technology 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:
 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able 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.

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.).

TraftonPrinting, Inc.

Optional Resource Materials:
None

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.

1. 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).
2. 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.

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:
 

1. Fundamentals of the Feedlot Industry
2. Facilities and Environmental Issues
3. Selection of Feeder Cattle and Feedlot Performance
4. Feedlot Nutrition
5. Feedlot Animal Health
6. Marketing and Economics
7. Carcass Valuation and the Consumer
8. Feedyard Management

The final grade is an aggregate of the following components: