Full course description
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of livestock and forage management. Students will explore soil health and fertility, animal production and management, forage production systems, farm infrastructure, and key farm business concepts to build a strong foundation for successful agricultural operations.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand basic livestock and forage concepts
- Maintain soil health and fertility
- Manage forage production
- Explain farm infrastructure
- Use best farm business practices
Course Topics:
In the Forage and Livestock Foundations course, we want to teach fundamental concepts in a way that meets your needs. For this reason, we have created fieldwork assignments at the end of each module, which can be applied to your farm .
Module Topics:
- Soil Basics (Module 1): Sampling your soil
- Soil Fertility and Health (Module 2): Tighty-Whities Test
- Forage Basics (Module 3): Submit a forage sample
- Grazing Practices (Module 4): Develop a grazing plan
- Livestock Selection (Module 5): 10 questions to ask when starting a livestock operation
- Livestock Handling and Management (Module 6): Develop a record-keeping system
- Backyard Poultry Handling And Management (Module 7)
- Fencing (Module 8): Know your farm layout
- Equipment and Tools (Module 9): Maintenance and Calibration
- Farm Safety (Module 10): Creating a farm safety and emergency plan
- NRCS Programs (Module 11)
- Agribusiness and Marketing (Module 12): Starting your Ag business
Course Requirements:
You must watch all the course videos online and complete 5 of the suggested fieldwork assignments. The instructional content for each module is about an hour long, but can vary by topic. Each of the recommended fieldwork assignments may require a few hours . Please budget 2-3 weeks prior to the end of the course to meet with your area Livestock and Forages agent about your portfolio.
Together, these plans, checklists, and reports will make up your Forage and Livestock Foundations Portfolio, which will form the basis of your consultation at the end of the course. A minimum of five (5) fieldwork activities is required to prepare for the consultation, although you are encouraged to complete as many of them as you can. This will provide your Extension Agent with the most complete picture of your farming objectives and current context.
Participants who successfully complete the fieldwork activities and review their portfolio with their local agent will earn a digital badge and a discount code for subsequent Livestock and Forages programming.
Technical Requirements:
To participate fully in this course, you will need:
- An active email address for the individual participating in the course.
- A desktop computer or laptop (recommended): Canvas is available on mobile devices, but some content may appear differently.
- Access to a high-speed internet connection.
- A web browser compatible with Canvas: Chrome and Firefox are recommended.
- Headphones or speakers (closed captioning also available).
- Computer skills including Internet browsing, using email, typing, downloading files, and basic troubleshooting.
Need Help?
- If you need help accessing or registering for a course, please contact Clemson Online at onlineplus@clemson.edu.
- Our support email is monitored Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (EST). If you contact us in the evening or on the weekend, we will help you during the next business day.
- Please do not contact CCIT regarding CPE courses. Please reach out to Clemson Online so that we can assist you.
- Using Bulk Purchase? Please inform those you purchase seats for. They will receive an email invitation immediately upon enrollment. For more help, read about bulk enrollments in Catalog.