BCI Recognizes Need for Training in Proper Animal Care Procedures

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) at Kansas State University has launched Youth Animal Care Training, an online program at Youth Animal Care Training.

The program targets high school age and younger youth who can complete web-based training modules. The modules focus on animal husbandry and welfare, food safety and environmental stewardship. Thanks to support from BCI sponsors, the Youth Animal Care Training modules are free of charge.

The BCI previously launched the Animal Care Training website, which is designed to be informative and interactive for adults who handle livestock.

Modeled after previously successful programs such as Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), Humane Equine Management and Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance (DACQA), for which over 10,000 people have registered and 8,200 have earned certification, the Youth Animal Care Training program is designed to educate youth involved in the animal agriculture industry about proper animal welfare protocol. The program can also serve to empower children and teens to be a role model for their peers.

The BCI has issued more than 170 youth certifications since the youth program’s launch in February 2012. It was designed to demonstrate the importance of exposing children to best management practices.  

The Beef Cattle Institute was founded in 2007 to provide beef industry employees and stakeholders with the most current education, research and outreach available in the beef industry. The BCI offers certificates and tools to aid producers in managing a successful beef business.

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by: Brandi Buzzard
bbuzzard@ksu.edu
K-State Research & Extension News

Brandi Buzzard at 785-532-4844 or email bbuzzard@ksu.edu