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.
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.
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) (4-6) Details 4-6
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 162 Animal Evaluation and Selection II Details 2
Study of relationship between form and function in the evaluation and selection of breeding and market livestock. A continuation of AGR 161 for students who want to continue with additional livestock evaluation experiences.
Prerequisites: AGR 161 or consent of department
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.
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)
Various VET Electives Details 3
All courses with the VET prefix.
VET 101 Veterinary Assistant I Details 3
This class prepares students to work in the animal care field. Class consists of 30 classroom hours and a minimum of 25 lab hours actually observing and practicing veterinary assistant skills learned from content instruction. Trained assistants support veterinary technicians and veterinarians in a variety of inpatient and outpatient activities.
Prerequisites: (none)
VET 102 Veterinary Assistant II Details 3
This class is an extension of VET 101 to further prepare students to work in the animal care field. Students will gain in-depth knowledge in anatomy, pathophysiology of animal diseases, emergency care and anesthesia/surgery protocols. Class consists of 30 online hours and a minimum of 25 hours actually observing and practicing intermediate veterinary assistant skills learned in the classroom setting. Trained assistants support veterinary technicians and veterinarians in a variety of inpatient and outpatient activities.
Prerequisites: VET 101
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.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various AGR 165 / AGR 166 Details 2
AGR 165 available during odd years; AGR 166 available during even years.
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, and general herd management.
Prerequisites: (none)
AGR 166 Beef Management - Wean to Finish Details 2
Designed to focus upon those principles of beef production which emphasize the skills and knowledge needed to manage the cow and calf, yearling cattle, and feedlot cattle. Topics include nutrition, herd health, general 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.
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.
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) (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 162 Animal Evaluation and Selection II Details 2
Study of relationship between form and function in the evaluation and selection of breeding and market livestock. A continuation of AGR 161 for students who want to continue with additional livestock evaluation experiences.
Prerequisites: AGR 161 or consent of department
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.
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)
Various VET Electives Details 3
All courses with the VET prefix.
VET 101 Veterinary Assistant I Details 3
This class prepares students to work in the animal care field. Class consists of 30 classroom hours and a minimum of 25 lab hours actually observing and practicing veterinary assistant skills learned from content instruction. Trained assistants support veterinary technicians and veterinarians in a variety of inpatient and outpatient activities.
Prerequisites: (none)
VET 102 Veterinary Assistant II Details 3
This class is an extension of VET 101 to further prepare students to work in the animal care field. Students will gain in-depth knowledge in anatomy, pathophysiology of animal diseases, emergency care and anesthesia/surgery protocols. Class consists of 30 online hours and a minimum of 25 hours actually observing and practicing intermediate veterinary assistant skills learned in the classroom setting. Trained assistants support veterinary technicians and veterinarians in a variety of inpatient and outpatient activities.
Prerequisites: VET 101
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.

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.