History of the Cattle Learning Center

The Cattle Learning Center was developed by a partnership with National Cattlemen’s Foundation and Pfizer Animal Health. Its mission is to help producers make informed business decisions and improve management practices while increasing overall consumer confidence in America’s beef supply.

The Cattle Learning Center includes in-depth, self-paced learning tools for producers covering topics such as animal health, nutrition, risk management, biosecurity, estate planning and more.

Resources Available

The Cattle Learning Center is your window to a world of experts, their knowledge and current information.

• Learn at your own pace
• Select your topic of interest
• Choose from a variety of learning options
  – DVD, Web site, Satellite-TV, printed materials, meetings
• Teaching materials are also available for veterinarians and industry specialists

It’s information by professionals for professionals, no matter what your level of expertise.

The first curriculum focuses on beef cattle reproduction, a timely topic that can offer practical solutions to make a positive impact on your operation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What has inspired the creation of the Cattle Learning Center?
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation serves the beef cattle industry as a philanthropic institution with a mission to promote the future of the industry through research and education. One year ago, Pfizer Animal Health presented the National Cattlemen’s Foundation with a $3 million grant to aid in efforts over the next three years to enhance educational programming for U.S. cattle producers. The Cattle Learning Center is the first result of that grant.

Why is this the appropriate time to establish the Cattle Learning Center?
Recent historic negative events, such as BSE, are changing how consumers view animal agriculture—potentially affecting purchase decisions for beef, milk and other meat products. There has never been a more important time for cattle producers to remain fully educated about their industry, so they can continue to provide a healthy, safe and wholesome product for consumers.

A first of its kind, the Cattle Learning Center brings producers an educational platform to help keep the industry strong by providing comprehensive, yet practical information on the variety of issues they face.

How can the Cattle Learning Center enhance what is truly the bottom line for producers—namely, to give consumers safe and healthy beef and dairy products?
By offering beef and dairy producers educational programs on a wide range of topics covering all aspects of production and management, the Cattle Learning Center helps to keep the industry strong and safe in the eyes of consumers.

Who designs the Cattle Learning Center curriculum?
The curriculum is created by the NCBA Producer Education Working Group, composed of the NCBA Producer Education Committee, practicing veterinarians, university extension specialists and Pfizer veterinarians.

What topics will be covered?
The initial focus is on animal health, with a “Beef Cattle Reproduction” program followed by “Managing Respiratory Disease.” Anticipated subsequent topics will discuss nutrition, risk management, biosecurity, estate planning and other topics of timely interest to producers.

What producer education opportunities will be offered? 
The Cattle Learning Center features an array of educational opportunities that cover all aspects of production and management for beef and dairy producers. Utilizing the expertise and firsthand knowledge of educators in the cattle industry, the Cattle Learning Center features in-depth courses producers can take at home—these self-paced programs are available both in print and on DVD. 

What else does the Cattle Learning Center involve?
There are three other kickoff initiatives:
• The Cattle Show—an RFD-TV series on the economics of beef production that reaches 330,000 producers. 
• Producer Meeting Tool Box—for conducting producer education meetings with groups like allied industry, veterinarians, cooperative extension, universities, youth groups, etc… Included will be textbooks, a DVD set, instructor “tips” sheet, PowerPoint presentation, meeting notice postcards and Cattle Learning Center brochures.
• National Cattlemen Producer Education Special Edition—a special insert for ongoing reference. The insert was included in the February 2005 issue of this official publication of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. 

Can any producer—NCBA member or non-member—participate in the Cattle Learning Center?
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation offers this educational opportunity to all producers, both members and non-members alike.  

What does the Cattle Learning Center represent for the future? 
This is just the beginning of the educational opportunities the National Cattlemen’s Foundation offers through the Cattle Learning Center. This is the precursor for an industry-wide educational effort. Potential future partners in this effort could include packers, retailers, restaurants, nutrition companies and associations.