Beef cattle placements in the USA, are located in the Great Plains (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska). There are two types of beef operations available: Feedlots and Cow/calf operation ranches. Typically placements are year around.
On feedlots interns will be involved in preparing feed rations according to the nutritionist recommendation, care of sick animals, operate large equipment (mixer trucks or wagons, and payloader), and maintenance and clean feedyard pens. Also interns will be involve in precondition or processing arrival animals and load finishing cattle.
On the cow/calf operation interns will be involved on the husbandry of animals, estrous synchronization programs, Artificial Insemination, branding and processing weaning animals, maintenance of pasture and fences, hay and silage production, feeding of animals, data collection on different stages of animals for EPG indexes, helping during calving period, vaccinate animals, etc.).
Also interns will learn to determine cost of production, bookkeeping, marketing practices (future market and hedging), time management, and problem solving skills. The skills acquired will varies according to the host and interns abilities.
Important notes
1. There's a limit of farms available for these types and depending on the financial situation and weather conditions it will vary year to year. Also, there is some activities, not mentioned above, that can be available and vary year to year. To obtain more information, please, contact the IFAA representative or coordinator.
2. Placements for women are limited to certain types of activities due to the difficulties due to suitable places to live. These categories are: grain crops, beef cattle, and fruit orchards.