BF 233: Beef Cattle Management

Learn to Raise Beef Profitably

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Getting Set up for Success with Cattle

Having a successful cattle business is about much more than just buying a few head and putting them in a field. If you want to turn a profit, you need to think carefully about your goals, marketing strategy, appropriate breeds, and many more details. Over the six weeks of this course you'll get a much clearer idea of what is involved, whether it's the right fit for you, and if it is, what steps you need to take to get started.

Target Audience

All levels - This course is primarily for those just getting started (or thinking of getting started) with a beef enterprise, but those already raising cattle and seeking to improve or expand their operation will find a lot of interest here too.

Webinars

The bulk of the course happens on your own time, with discussions, readings, and assignments here in Teachable, our virtual classroom. To add to the experience, live webinars will be woven into the online interface for 6 weeks each Fall to allow you to meet on a weekly basis to learn from presenters and ask questions in real time. If you miss one, they are always recorded and posted for later viewing.

Webinar Schedule

Live instruction for 2024 has concluded. You are welcome to enroll now to complete this course on a self-paced schedule and join our next live session in Fall 2025. All webinars are recorded and posted in your online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely and may return to participate in future live offerings of the course as well. Please join us!


Your Instructor


Betsy Hicks + Abbey Jantzi
Betsy Hicks + Abbey Jantzi

Betsy Hicks is a Dairy Management Specialist with the South Central NY Dairy & Field Crops Team with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Her background is in nutrition, and she helps both dairy and beef farmers with grazing, herd health, cow behavior, cow comfort and calf care. Betsy operates a registered Black Angus beef cow-calf operation, focusing on cattle that mother well and excel on grass.

Abbey Jantzi is the Dairy & Livestock Specialist for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County. She is also the lead on the county's 4-H dairy & livestock programs. Abbey grew up in Western NY, was in 4-H herself as a youth, and comes from a dairy background. She assists dairy & livestock producers with anything from getting started to helping them advance their management practices.


Student Testimonials

“To hear first-hand from someone that runs a beef cattle operation was fantastic!! The knowledge that the instructor shared was most valuable. In addition, she was very responsive if I sent an email with follow up questions."

"This course serves as a perfect launch pad for even more learning. With lifetime access to course material guaranteed, I will always have somewhere to reference. The plans to start a Cow-Calf-Finish operation are in full swing and the knowledge gained in and through this course should stand me in good stead for what the future holds."

Course Curriculum


  General Course Resources
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  Week 1: Opportunities for Raising Beef Cattle
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  Week 2: Cattle Health & Behavior
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  Week 3: Cattle Performance & Reproduction
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  Week 4: Marketing Models & Pricing for Profitability & Success
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  Week 5: Beef Cattle Nutrition
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  Week 6: Effective and Efficient Grazing & Winter Feeding
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 7 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!