Cattle Health, Reproduction & Pasture Enterprise

This unit develops practical skills in herd health, reproductive management, calf care, and small-scale pasture enterprises. Students will build on foundational animal science skills learned earlier to manage sick animals, breed and care for pregnant cows, raise calves through critical stages, and convert surplus pasture into a revenue-generating operation.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze signs, causes, and treatment protocols for common cattle ailments and create recommended vaccination, deworming, and withdrawal schedules aligned with best-practice animal health guidelines
• Apply reproductive management techniques for breeding cows and pregnant females, including heat detection, basic artificial insemination principles, pregnancy diagnosis, and pre- and post-partum care planning
• Demonstrate calf-care protocols for neonates through weaners and yearlings, including colostrum management, nutritional planning, routine health checks, and accurate record-keeping to support growth and survival rates
• Evaluate pasture-utilization and small-enterprise options by developing a basic pasture lease or grazing business plan with cost estimates, revenue projections, and risk mitigation strategies