Livestock Husbandry Fundamentals
Develop the essentials skills for livestock management and welfare.
The section will appear to be waitlisted. This is only to allow students to access the BC Future Skills Grant Funding.
What you will learn
After completing this course, you will:
- understand the basic regulatory requirements of provincial and federal governments, how these regulations are enforced and monitored, along with understanding how to interpret local government zoning bylaws. You will also learn about funding and certification opportunities.
- understand the foundational elements of livestock health, including anatomy, vital signs, body condition, biosecurity practices and vaccination that promote wellness on small-scale farms.
- recognize, prevent and manage common livestock diseases and parasites, respond appropriately to emergencies, and access veterinary and diagnostic services when needed.
- understand nutritional requirements for ruminants, swine and poultry, and the economics of feed.
- assess and design livestock housing systems that meet species-specific physical and behavioural needs, distinguish between survival- and thrive-level environments and make informed decisions that improve welfare, reduce disease risk and support productivity.
- understand how to plan and manage breeding cycles safely and sustainably; recognize heat and birthing signs; assist appropriately during parturition; assess the impacts of castration on behavior, health, and meat quality; and explore alternative breeding methods such as artificial insemination.
- understand the economic considerations when starting a livestock enterprise
What you will do in this course
You will prepare a livestock management plan to using the concepts, principles and practices from the course.
Course details
Online classes:
January 7 to 28, 2027; Thursday 6 to 9 pm (4 sessions)
January 12 to 26, 2027; Tuesday 6 to 9 om (3 sessions)
Optional field days (Cowichan Valley):
January 16, 2027; Saturday 9 am to 4 pm
January 23, 2027; Saturday 9 am to 4 pm
Meet your instructor
Dr. Mélodie Arès-Monast is a mixed animal veterinarian who has spent the last three years working as a large animal veterinarian in BC, primarily on Vancouver Island. She works directly with farmers, and her caseload has included cattle, camelids and horses. Her true passion lies in small ruminant care, animal welfare and end-of-life care.
Mélodie was raised on a farm with livestock. She first studied nursing before obtaining her degree in veterinary medicine from the Université de Montréal. She is passionate about sharing practical, science-based knowledge that helps farmers make confident, informed decisions.
Her teaching focuses on animal health, welfare, nutrition, disease prevention, breeding and real-world problem-solving to support more sustainable farm operations. This is her second year teaching the course, and she has also been a key contributor to the development of the course curriculum.