Beef Specialist

The JWCC beef specialist certificate trains students to provide direct care for beef cattle, emphasizing nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development. Classes meet two or three days per week from late August through mid-March. Technical knowledge and practical hands-on training are gained from working with a cow/calf herd at the 191-acre Beef Research Unit near Baylis, IL in Pike County. Paid internships are available.

several cattle
Suggested Degree Plan for Beef Specialist Certificate
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
Fall Details
AGR 150 Agriculture and Consumer-Related Occupations I Details 1
An introduction to various agricultural occupations, this course involves a study of career opportunities in agriculture industry, business, farming, teaching, resource management and environmental control. It is designed to gather occupational information which will allow the student to develop educational and occupational goals. Satisfies JWCC job-seeking skills course requirement.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 161 Animal Evaluation and Selection I Details 2
Study of relationship between form and function in the evaluation and selection of breeding and market livestock. 0.5 lecture hours, 5 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 202 Introduction to Animal Science Details 4
A basic course in the principles of livestock production and management, including breed identification, evaluation and selection, feeding, reproduction, sanitation, disease control, and physiology of beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep and poultry. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours; IAI: AG 902.
Prerequisites: (none)
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various Approved Electives (Beef Specialist Certificate) (3-5) Details 3-5
Approved electives for the Beef Specialist Certificate.
AGR 152 Natural Resource Management Details 3
Basic course emphasizing the importance and practical aspects of planning a conservation program for the agriculture producer. The student will study and develop a conservation plan for his or her own farm or a farm provided by the instructor. In-depth study of conservation practices and their economic considerations will provide the student with a better understanding of the need to plan the use, treatment and protection of soil, water, air, woodlands, wildlife, and energy use.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 184 Agriculture Commodity Marketing Details 2
A basic and practical approach to the understanding and use of futures and options will be covered. Topics of discussion will include the Chicago Board of Trade’s (CBOT) history and transition, trade terminology, the definition and function of futures and options contracts, price, origination, and cash contracts. The goal of the course is to explain marketing tools and how to use them to avert price risk on a farming operation.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 189 Agricultural Finance and Records Details 3
The study of record keeping systems and accounting principles. Types of accounting systems, budgeting depreciation, and amortization schedules will be discussed. Additional topics include the importance of the proper use of credit in the agriculture business; the use of equity and debt capital as a management tool; the application of short, intermediate, and long-term credit; alternative sources of credit; lender's credit analysis and loan servicing; and debt management.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 270 Agricultural Mechanization Skills Details 3
An introduction to the mechanical maintenance and operational problems on the farm and the agribusiness operation. This course emphasizes the study of general mechanics and farm machinery operation in agriculture. Time will be devoted to basic farm/Ag industry safety policies and procedures, operation and basic repair procedures for farm equipment and building utility systems. Fundamental study is given to electrical wiring systems for buildings, plumbing repair, welding skills and basic carpentry knowledge. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Spring Details
AGR 164 Animal Nutrition and Health Details 3
Fundamental principles of animal nutrition and maintenance of health for animals with monogastric and ruminant digestive systems. Study of essential nutrients, feed ingredients and additives, balancing rations and economic considerations in feeding. In-depth analysis is given to nutritional content of crops commonly produced and fed to livestock. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 165 Beef Management - Breed to Wean Details 2
Designed to focus upon those principles of beef production which emphasize the skills and knowledge needed to manage the beef cow herd. Topics include selection of breeding stock, artificial insemination, reproductive physiology, beef cow nutrition, herd health programs, forage management, wean to finish, management and marketing.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 167 Applied Beef Production Skills Details 2
Students will be assisting with duties related to cows and calves at the University of Illinois Orr Beef Research Center. Possible duties might include vaccinating, moving and handling breeding cows, preparing for parturition and calving cows, processing newborns, and caring for young calves. Students could also assist with other research activities with cows and newborn calves. 0.5 lecture hours, 3 lab hours
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 169 Artificial Insemination - Cattle Details 1
Study of the physiology of the reproductive tract of cattle and the use of insemination equipment for breeding of cattle; includes procedures that make artificial insemination practical. 0.5 lecture hours, 1 lab hour
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 175 Computer Applications in Agribusiness Details 3
Introduction to the applications of the microcomputer to agribusiness: word processing, spreadsheets, data base management, presentation software, and use of the Internet. Satisfies JWCC computer competency requirement. (Same as CSC 106)
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 186 Agriculture Business Management Details 3
Emphasizes the development of a business plan for the farm or agriculture-related business. The decision-making process, budgeting (enterprise, partial, business, and cash-flow), setting priorities, production efficiency and related topics are important components of the course.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various Approved Electives (Beef Specialist Certificate) (2-4) Details 2-4
Approved electives for the Beef Specialist Certificate.
AGR 152 Natural Resource Management Details 3
Basic course emphasizing the importance and practical aspects of planning a conservation program for the agriculture producer. The student will study and develop a conservation plan for his or her own farm or a farm provided by the instructor. In-depth study of conservation practices and their economic considerations will provide the student with a better understanding of the need to plan the use, treatment and protection of soil, water, air, woodlands, wildlife, and energy use.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 184 Agriculture Commodity Marketing Details 2
A basic and practical approach to the understanding and use of futures and options will be covered. Topics of discussion will include the Chicago Board of Trade’s (CBOT) history and transition, trade terminology, the definition and function of futures and options contracts, price, origination, and cash contracts. The goal of the course is to explain marketing tools and how to use them to avert price risk on a farming operation.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 189 Agricultural Finance and Records Details 3
The study of record keeping systems and accounting principles. Types of accounting systems, budgeting depreciation, and amortization schedules will be discussed. Additional topics include the importance of the proper use of credit in the agriculture business; the use of equity and debt capital as a management tool; the application of short, intermediate, and long-term credit; alternative sources of credit; lender's credit analysis and loan servicing; and debt management.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 270 Agricultural Mechanization Skills Details 3
An introduction to the mechanical maintenance and operational problems on the farm and the agribusiness operation. This course emphasizes the study of general mechanics and farm machinery operation in agriculture. Time will be devoted to basic farm/Ag industry safety policies and procedures, operation and basic repair procedures for farm equipment and building utility systems. Fundamental study is given to electrical wiring systems for buildings, plumbing repair, welding skills and basic carpentry knowledge. 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Spring / Summer Details
AGR 199 Occupational Internship I Details 1-5 (Varies)
Students are placed in selected areas of production, horticulture and agribusiness to learn about these businesses under actual working conditions. This experience allows the student to explore and apply knowledge to his/her career interests. Dual supervision is provided by college staff and the operating business. Course requires 80 hours of work experience for each credit hour.
Prerequisites: Consent of department
NOTE: Only students who do not need additional coursework and who take the number of credits or courses as listed each semester can complete the program in the time given. Others will take longer to complete. Course descriptions may contain IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) codes containing information for students transferring their credits to another Illinois higher learning institution. See itransfer.org or the JWCC course catalog for more information on IAI.

Gainful Employment: For more information about graduation rates, cost, the median debt of students who complete the program, and other information, please view our Gainful Employment information for the particular certificate of study.