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Define your land ethic
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Use Aldo Leopold’s vision for land ethic
Demonstrate the connection to your animal management practices
Develop your land ethic in connection with the principles of sustainable agriculture
Explain how you demonstrate your land ethic in your animal management practices
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Develop a program to maintain biosecurity and livestock health
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Identify diseases common to livestock and dairy cattle in your area
Estimate the economic impact of disease in a herd
Describe how livestock and dairy cattle become diseased
Outline ways to prevent disease in livestock and dairy cattle
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Assess livestock environment including housing, facilities and waste handling
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Identify the housing environment requirements of the livestock operation
Describe adequate facilities for the livestock operation
Outline an appropriate waste handling system for the livestock operation
Determine the cost/benefit ratio of the environmental system
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Integrate safety practices into the livestock management program
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Describe how to store health related materials in a way that maintains their effectiveness and does not pose a threat to people or animals
Use health related materials in a manner consistent with label and legal requirements
Outline safe equipment operation principles
Review facilities, equipment and procedures for safety on a regular basis
Suggest incentive programs for maintaining a safe work place
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Evaluate the livestock feeding program
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Describe different feeds available
Examine the method and timeliness of feed and water presentation
Examine the feeding environment for lighting, ventilation, cleanliness and other factors that may affect feed and water intake
Evaluate the economic returns of the feeding program
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Develop a genetic improvement program
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Identify genetic traits that improve the profitability of the herd
Review USDA sire summaries
Identify sources of genes
Summarize various means of genetic improvement: AI, MOET, genetic markers, and young sire programs
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Analyze livestock reproduction
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Identify problems associated with herd reproduction
Evaluate methods of heat detection in the herd
Evaluate insemination efficiency
Evaluate overall reproductive performance
Suggest ways to improve reproductive efficiency in a herd
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Adopt a records analysis program to maximize profits
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
List personal and business goals for the livestock operation
Identify components of a record keeping system
Review record keeping systems
Revise goals and objectives on a regular basis
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Develop a livestock marketing plan
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Identify the parts of a marketing plan
Determine cost of production
Review pricing methods
Establish a pricing system that provides a reasonable return on investment
Describe product merchandising options
Explore opportunities for niche, value added and non-traditional markets
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Manage change and expansion in the livestock operation
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Determine if present facilities, labor, management and animals are producing at their greatest level of efficiency
Develop a plan to maximize the production from existing facilities, labor, management and animals in your operation
Outline the process for a feasibility study
Determine size and level of expansion as supported by feasibility study
Develop a plan that includes facility design, waste management, all governmental agency applications permits and approvals
Develop a plan that includes increase in herd size, including replacement animals, labor and management requirements
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Communicate with the production/management team
Assessment Strategies
Written Product
Criteria
Develop a mission statement that reflects your land ethic
Develop an employee handbook for the operation
Develop a plan to find, hire, train, and retain qualified employees for the operation
Develop a system of compensation that provides incentives for professional development and rewards performance that increases the profitability of the operation
Design a system of communication that emphasizes the responsibilities of everyone involved in the operation and provides feedback at all levels