Meat, Poultry and Eggs Education and Training

Become the best rancher or poultry farmer you can be

Experts say that in the next 10 years, half of America's ranchers will retire--leaving ample opportunity for those with meat, poultry and eggs education and training. In the last 15 years, fewer and fewer young people have studied or gone into ranching and farming, so if you think ranching or poultry farming is for you, now is the perfect time to jump on your dream.

Once you have an idea of just what sort of ranching, farming, or poultry or meat processing you'd like to do, remember that your education should ideally begin in high school. Any work time on a ranch or farm is valuable, but also take agricultural courses (if available) and consider joining 4-H. Once high school is over, however, be sure to do the following:

1. Obtain a college education appropriate for the meat or poultry business.

2. Join organizations for meat and poultry companies.

3. Read periodicals for those in the poultry and meat industry.

 

Secure a formal education for those wishing to form their own poultry or meat company

Whether you wish to become a rancher or poultry farmer, a good education gives you a firm leg up. A two-year college education in poultry science or animal husbandry is essential, but don't neglect business courses as well.
Try: Find a college offering animal husbandry or poultry science education through a school search database like Degree Finder or Ed-Reference.

Become a member of organizations for meat and poultry distributors

Professional organizations do much more than provide business advice and networking. A good organization also provides learning opportunities in the way of journals, books, CDs and DVDs, workshops and seminars. There are a wide variety of associations appropriate for ranchers and farmers. Seek some that are specific to your area of interest.
Try: The Texas Workforce Commission offers a great guide to a variety of ranching associations, including those for ostrich, sheep and beef ranchers. For poultry farmers, the American Pastured Poultry Producers' Association offers the only pastured poultry newsletter available.

Continue your education through meat and poultry industry publications

There are a myriad of magazines for professional ranchers and farmers; they include general ranching and farming publications, and magazines targeted to particular fields of interest like organic meat processing and ranching, wild meat processing and ranching and game meat processing and ranching. Find several publications targeting your field of interest in order to keep up with the latest news, trends and innovations.
Try: "The Progressive Rancher" magazine is free to anyone working with livestock. "Working Ranch Magazine" focuses on cattle ranching. Sosland Publishing offers "Meat & Poultry" magazine, for business owners in the poultry or meat field.

 

• Although meat, poultry and eggs may be your passion, it's unlikely you'll succeed unless you study and practice the business side of ranching and farming. Therefore, learn everything you can about good business practices and how to protect your assets.

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