Applications for the 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy 2020-2021 online certification program open June 20. Applications for this comprehensive certificate program, through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, are due Aug. 15.

“We’ve developed the strongest course offerings paired with industry-leading experts, and we anticipate our third program year to build on the success of the previous two years,” said Reinaldo Cooke, program coordinator and associate professor at Texas A&M University. “Students can quickly apply class learnings to their operation or business – that’s an instant return on investment.”

An ideal student candidate is eager to learn and is passionate about driving the industry forward. Class size is limited. The academy’s online learning format allows anyone from across the globe to participate.

Firsthand experience

Students enrolled in the 2019-2020 program offered these perspectives for future attendees:

“Because the classes are set up to be flexible, it’s really ideal for students who work during the day. I spend most of my day on the farm, so being able to participate at my own pace makes it much more valuable and worthwhile.” -Kazakhstan student

“For me and my operation, International Beef Cattle Academy has been a real game-changer. The materials and classes have opened my mind for so many opportunities and new approaches in our business.” – South American student

“It is very interesting that you can watch all of these classes online, access all the material and then be face to face with the speaker to ask anything about those things you learned.” – Kazakhstan student

“It is one thing to read about beef production, but when you put things into practice, you are going to have questions related to your specific operation. Having the opportunity to ask your questions to industry experts is incredibly valuable, and my favorite thing about the course.” – Kazakhstan student

What to expect

The 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy consists of eight courses at 30 learning hours per course. Classes are taught online with pre-recorded lectures. In addition to the pre-recorded lectures, there is a weekly interactive session for the student and instructor. The one-on-one sessions are customized based on individual student needs, says Ky Pohler, program coordinator and assistant professor at Texas A&M University.

Course topics include:

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

“The ability to participate virtually also provides peace of mind amid times of global health concerns,” says Pohler. “With two years of experience in conducting the academy online, our team knows what it takes to provide participants with the full value of this educational opportunity without sacrificing the opportunity for a first-rate experience.”

Scholarships available

New for the 2020-2021 program, scholarships are available. The scholarship will cover up to 70% of tuition costs.

The next academy begins in September 2020 and continues through August 2021. Apply at animalscience.tamu.edu/ibca/ or email [email protected] for more information.

Source: Texas A&M, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.