Funded by the beef checkoff’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, participation in the Online Master Cattle Transporter program is one way for transporters to show their customers that they take every step possible to keep their cattle healthy and as safe as possible. Melissa Slagle of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board outlines the premise behind this new program. What is the web address? SLAGLE: www.animalcaretraining.org


Why was it developed?
SLAGLE: An online training program for cattle transporters was developed in English and Spanish to provide training in properly moving cattle up and on to the trailer, distributing cattle correctly on the trailer, hauling techniques that reduce cattle stress, and handling emergency situations. Modules were developed from the checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Assurance Guide for Cattle Transporters and Master Cattle Video.

The Animal Care Training program is a national online training program and a result of collaborations between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners and Livestock Marketing Association with the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University.

Who should use it?
SLAGLE: Beef and Dairy cattle transporters.

Training employees is essential for worker safety, employee retention,and production of wholesome products. The Animal Care Training Program is designed to provide valuable online training in various areas of animal care. Producers, animal transporters, livestock auction-market employees and bovine veterinarians use the Animal Care Training Program.

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Is there a cost to use it?
SLAGLE: The cost for the online Transportation — Beef Quality Assurance training is $25 for five modules.

The five modules focus on the areas of:
• Truck and Trailer Maintenance
• Handling
• Loading and unloading
• Biosecurity
• Weather

What are some unique features?
SLAGLE: Employees can work through the online training modules in English or Spanish at any time. The program can track a participant’s progress and when a training package is complete, a certificate of completion will be available for printing. After the user has received their certificate of completion they still have access to the training modules to refer back to. In addition to these features, the Animal Care Training programs online database also stores the participant’s transcript and certificate.

How does it work?
SLAGLE: A participant will register with the Animal Care Training program and purchase the Transportation – Beef Quality Assurance package. Once the user has completed all five modules and passed each quiz with an accuracy of 80 percent or higher the user will receive a transcript and a certificate of completion. Each of the training modules is 10 to 20 minutes long and is available at any time.

Can you provide real farm examples of people that use it and how they benefited from it?
SLAGLE: The Animal Care Training program delivers consistent online training and allows users the opportunity to train at their convenience. A peer-reviewed journal article shows the effectiveness of the training regardless of the language. When users complete the training they mention the ease of use of the modules and the high quality of training.

Why is this important to understand or utilize?
SLAGLE: Transporters play a critical role in the health and welfare of cattle. The proper handling and transportation of cattle can reduce sickness in calves, prevent bruises, and improve the quality of the meat from animals. It is one more way for transporters to show their customers that they take every step possible to keep their cattle healthy and as safe as possible. PD

Karen Lee