Applications are open for the 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy. Now in its second year, the academy offers a one-year, comprehensive, online certificate program to beef industry professionals through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

“Our inaugural class is wrapping up their learning experience, and student feedback so far has been tremendous,” said Reinaldo Cooke, program coordinator and associate professor at Texas A&M University. “We worked to develop the strongest course offerings paired with industry-leading experts, and we anticipate our second program year to be even stronger.”

Applications are available online now and are due by Aug. 2. Class size for the academy is limited in order to offer an exclusive and customized learning experience.

The 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy consists of eight courses at 30 learning hours per course. Courses are taught online with prerecorded lectures.

“Each week, there is an interactive session allowing for one-on-one student-instructor interaction,” said Ky Pohler, program coordinator and assistant professor at Texas A&M University. “Interactive sessions are customized based on the needs and demands of students.”

Courses are taught by export researchers and educators. Course topics include: cattle welfare and behavior; forage production and utilization; nutritional management and requirements; reproductive physiology and management; breeding and genetics; immunology and herd health management; safety of beef products, and carcass and beef quality.

Following online coursework, the academy concludes with an optional residency period and graduation ceremony in College Station, Texas.

The academy’s online learning format allows anyone from across the globe to participate.

“Students get leading-edge education from world-renowned instructors, without the traditional cost of higher education,” Cooke said. “When students apply course learnings to their own operations and businesses, that’s where the value really starts to add up quickly.”

The next academy begins in September 2019 and continues through August 2020. Apply at animalscience.tamu.edu/ibca/, or email [email protected] for more information.