Cow/Calf Agriculture Technician Main Menu

Overview

The Agriculture Technician (ATEC) Program develops students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in six major areas of agricultural production. These six areas of production are:

field crop and irrigated field crop
cow/calf
feedlot
dairy
sheep
pork.*

* Initially, pork will be developed as an ATEC program but may eventually be elevated to a designated trade.

The courses within each area of production are organized into three levels of knowledge, skills and abilities: introductory, intermediate, and advanced.

Introductory modules (Level 10) help students gain knowledge and build the skills and abilities that are used in the day to day operation of the particular production sector. These modules form the basis of further learning. The range of experience and knowledge of students at the introductory level will vary from very little or none to considerable. Those students with prior knowledge and experience should be assessed and given credit for the core modules as quickly as possible, using the optional modules to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and abilities.

Intermediate modules (Level 20) build on the competencies developed at the introductory level. These modules broaden or refine the knowledge, skills and abilities used in the particular production sector. Optional modules are used to enhance learning and address individual interests and learning needs. These modules also help students direct their learning toward related careers, job opportunities, and post-secondary education.

Advanced modules (Level 30) demand that students acquire a higher level of knowledge, skills and abilities in the particular production sector. These modules encourage development of employability skills which help students gain entry into the workplace or related post-secondary program.

If articulation agreements are established, these courses could provide the desirable background and skills for farm employment or entry into related programs at public and vocational colleges, technical institutes, apprenticeship programs, and universities in Saskatchewan.

All of the courses have been prepared with the guidance of Saskatchewan Learning and follow the outline, format and required dimensions of the Saskatchewan Learning Practical and Applied Arts curricula.

Philosophy and Rationale

Saskatchewan is a world leader in traditional primary production agriculture. Today, there is ever increasing and intense global competition for primary agriculture products. This means that Saskatchewan agricultural producers and employees need to have knowledge, skills and abilities in a variety of areas in order to maximize production and remain viable.

Providing students with practical knowledge, skills and abilities in cow/calf production will help students provide meaningful contributions to their family farming operations or pursue related career and educational opportunities.

Aim and Goals

Aim

The aim of Cow/Calf Production is to provide students with knowledge, skills and abilities in Cow/Calf Production including farm safety procedures, communication skills, and basic knowledge of machinery and livestock equipment operation as well as the care and handling of beef cattle.

Goals

Awareness: To provide students with an awareness of the nature of cow/calf production including the knowledge, skills and abilities required for cow/calf production.

Connections between School and Work: To create a connection for students between the world of school and the world of work.

Business and Entrepreneurship Attitudes: To develop the skills and abilities which encourage students to understand the business of cow/calf production and markets.

Community Environment: To use relevant community examples which will help develop students’ skills and abilities as well as encourage a sense of pride and community.

Communication: To develop social and communication skills as potential employees or employers in cow/calf production.

Employability Skills: To encourage the development of employability skills in cow/calf production.

Personal Management Skills: To promote self-esteem, confidence and a proactive attitude toward time management, communication skills, and technical skills.

Course Components and Considerations

Course Description

Cow/Calf Production 10, 20, 30 requires 100 hours of instruction per credit. The guidelines have been developed to provide a balance between:

knowledge of all facets of cow/calf production including farm safety
skills and abilities provided by information and practical application of concepts
exposure to farms involved in cow/calf production
opportunities for mentoring, job shadowing, or work study using resources in the community.

The ATEC Program guidelines are organized into two sets of modules.

Cow/Calf Production 10, 20, 30 Core Modules represent 50-65 hours of in-class or practical instruction which will develop student knowledge, skills and abilities at the introductory level of cow/calf production.

Cow/Calf Production 10, 20, 30 Optional Modules are used to meet the particular interests of individual students. Students should be encouraged to develop learning contracts indicating their particular area of interest.

To successfully complete Cow/Calf Production 10, 20 or 30, a student must spend in the range of 25-50 hours of every 100 hours receiving practical instruction at a work site.

Training Plans

The appendices contain training plans in the form of checklists. These training plans can be used by teachers or farmers-trainers for organizing, planning and monitoring work study or instruction at a work site. Student expectations include observation and assistance or demonstration of a skill or set of skills.

Adjusting for Prior Learning and Experience

Many students, particularly those coming from farm backgrounds, may have already acquired some of the basic knowledge and/or competencies in cow/calf production prior to taking this course. Teachers should assess individual students and evaluate their level of competency. Teachers should apply the Adaptive Dimension to all modules (by adjusting their instruction, materials, and environment to support student achievement of objectives) and encourage students to select optional modules which will enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities in cow/calf production.

Students should develop their own learning contract according to their own needs. Each module has a suggested range of instructional hours allowing for flexibility in designing individual learning plans.