Note: Click here to download a PDF of the MAES Animal Operations Policies

Mission

The mission of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) Farm and Ranch Units is to:

  • Provide humane care for animals and human safety at all MAES units, consistent with all relevant animal care and use guidelines.
  • Manage the natural resources associated with the units in a sustainable manner.
  • Maintain the physical facilities in attractive and functional condition.
  • Provide service and support to the research and teaching efforts conducted on farms and ranches.

Goals

By establishing written policies and protocols for MAES farm and ranch units, we intend to achieve the following:

  • Enhance the quality of research projects and teaching activities.
  • Enhance the safety and well-being of students, employees and animals.
  • Improve communication among users within each unit.
  • Improve the efficiency of labor use.
  • Improve job satisfaction for all employees.
  • Identify and minimize inherent risks associated with MAES farm and ranch operations.

Responsibilities

  • The MAES Director (Director) and Department Heads (DH) of Animal and Range Sciences, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, and Veterinary and Molecular Biology are responsible for the overall policies and procedures of farm and ranch animal operations. This includes:
    • Supervising the Animal Operations Manager (Director).
    • Establishing (Director) and monitoring budgets.
    • Establishing policies (DHs).
    • Program planning, e.g. equipment needs, facilities, personnel (DHs).
    • Facilitating interactions among farm/ranch personnel and faculty, staff and students (DHs).
  • The Animal Operations Manager (AOM) working with the DH(s) and reporting to the Director is responsible for:
    • Care and monitoring of all MAES beef cattle and sheep.
      • Except where animals are involved in projects where the project leader or faculty member has accepted clear responsibility as outlined in written, approved protocols.
    • Hiring, training and supervising all farm/ranch personnel associated with animal operations, including Red Bluff Research Ranch.
    • Communicating with the MAES Farm Operations Manager to coordinate use and maintenance of MAES Bozeman properties for the production of feed and forage.
    • Fort Ellis Research Farm, including labor performed by individuals living in the houses, as part of their lease agreements. 
    • Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching (BART) Farm, including labor by individuals living in the Nutrition Center and Miller Pavilion apartments, as part of their lease agreements.
    • Ensuring animal and facility security.
    • Coordinating use, maintenance and repair of equipment and facilities.
    • Managing livestock activities. 
      • Animal Operations Plans (beef cattle, sheep) shall be established annually with the appropriate DH(s) based on faculty input. 
      • Management activities shall be monitored via a set of written checkpoints, which are reported to the DH(s) and involved faculty.
    • Managing animal operations budgets as provided by the Director with advice from DH(s).
    • Coordinating and supervising research and teaching activities as described in written protocols (see below). 
    • Communicating effectively with research leaders and instructors.
    • Assisting DHs in developing and implementing a long-term vision for these programs. 
  • The AOM shall, with the approval of the DH(s), designate a senior farm employee to serve as Acting Animal Operations Manager in his/her absence if the Assistant Farm and Animal Operations Manager is not available.
    • Procedures for contacting the AOM and the Assistant Manager shall be communicated to users by posting a contact list in:
      • The Animal and Range Sciences, Veterinary Molecular Biology and Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology department offices.
      • The AOM's office.
      • The O.O. Thomas Nutrition Center.
      • The Miller Pavilion.
  • The Animal Operations Committee (DHs, Farm Operations Manager) will provide advice to the Director and the AOM with regard to operations policy, unit management and resource allocation.
  • A separate ARS Animal Operations Committee comprised of faculty with expertise with cattle, sheep and horses will provide advice to the AOM and ARS DH; such input will be used in discussions with the Director and/or the Animal Operations Committee.
  • Regarding the equine/equitation program, the AOM is responsible for
    • General operation and maintenance of Miller Pavilion.
    • Ensuring that MAES accounts for labor and materials used in support of the Equine Program are reimbursed by the ARS DH. 
    • Note: Horses are owned by MAES, but are primarily used for teaching purposes and thus are managed by the Equine Manager. The College of Agriculture provides no operations funds for the horse program. Student equitation fees, horse-boarding fees and fees charged to groups using the Pavilion fund a major portion of activities associated with horses. MAES supports minimal horse care. The AOM shall be responsible for the feeding and care of horses housed at Red Bluff Research Ranch and the Fort Ellis Research Farm, except as specified in written and approved protocols. 
  • The MSU Rodeo Coach is responsible for:
    • Communicating with the AOM in advance regarding the arrival and housing of all livestock associated with the Rodeo Team.
    • Collaborating with the AOM and the ARS DH, including developing a written memorandum of understanding among the MSU Rodeo Team, the ARS Department and MAES.
    • Reimbursing MAES accounts for MAES unit expenses associated with feed, labor, health care, operations and maintenance associated with Rodeo Team activities and any other pre-arranged services.
    • Note: At various times during the year the MSU Rodeo Team houses livestock at the BART Farm.
  • The MSU Horseshoeing School Instructor shall be responsible for the management and care of all horses delivered to the school for services.
    • Services provided to the Horseshoeing School by MAES shall be described in a written memorandum of understanding, which shall include arrangements for payment of any feed or other costs incurred by MAES.
    • Note: The MSU Horseshoeing School, located at the BART Farm, is affiliated with the ARS department.
  • Faculty interested in using animals or facilities for research are responsible for:
    •  Submitting written requests for animals and facilities in advance as outlined below.
    • Submitting written protocols, including animal use agreements, with appropriate budgets that describe their activities and the responsibilities for all project and MAES personnel.
    • Submitting appropriate forms to the MSU Animal Care and Use Committee. 
    • Communicating with the AOM in a timely, professional and effective manner.
    • Ensuring that project personnel are trained in proper animal handling techniques and the safe use of all relevant equipment.
  • Faculty interested in using animals or facilities for teaching are responsible for:
    • Submitting written requests for animals and facilities in advance as outlined below.
    • Submitting written protocols that describe their activities and the responsibilities of all project and farm unit personnel.
    • Submitting appropriate forms to the MSU Agricultural Animal Care and Use Committee. 
    • Communicating with the AOM in a timely, professional and effective manner.
    • Instructing students on the safety risks associated with the activity, and training students in proper animal handling techniques and the safe operation of any relevant equipment. 

Requests for Services or Resources

All requests for animal-related services from MAES farm and ranch units shall be made directly to the AOM in writing at least 30 days before the intended start date, with copies to the DH(s) associated with the request.

Budget Management

Only the AOM and/or MAES Director, with DH(s) in an advisory role, may make decisions that impact the budgets and expenditures entrusted to the AOM. Requests or proposals regarding activities that affect MAES farm unit budgets must be made directly, in writing, to the AOM. The AOM supervises all personnel paid from MAES budgets, and has the right to suspend activities of non-MAES personnel if he/she believes that an activity has the potential to cause undue risk to animals or personnel, or damage to equipment or facilities.

Inherent Risks

Through experience, employees and students become more aware of risks and dangers and learn how to avoid them. However, training programs and operational policies have been established to minimize risks of injury and disease. All employees and students involved in the daily operation of the farm and ranch units shall:

  • Maintain a current vaccination against Tetanus.
  • Be certified in animal care and handling via the Animal Caretakers Training Course. 
  • Be appropriately trained in the operation of all items of equipment they are required to operate.

Specifics of the Animal Caretakers Training Course and certification procedures are outlined on a separate webpage. To summarize: 1) certification is required before beginning employment and 2) annual update of training and certification is required. 

Training on safe operation of equipment shall be provided on an individual bases as needed by senior farm personnel. A safety checklist shall be developed by the AOM for each major type of equipment, filed in a notebook in the AOM's office and attached to the equipment. No one shall operate a piece of equipment without this training. A checklist shall be maintained for all employees and students. For each individual, this file shall indicate the items of equipment that individual is permitted to use, the date of training and the initials of the "student" and "instructor."

Animal Safety and Well-Being

Preventing animal injury shall be addressed by training all employees and students in proper animal care, handling and security. The Animal Caretakers Training Course shall be the vehicle for this training. Preventing disease shall be addressed by implementing a sound and practical Health Management Plan. The AOM, consulting with a licensed veterinarian, and the DH(s) shall develop this plan.

General Livestock Husbandry Policies and Procedures are specified in a separate webpage. In summary, these procedures specify responsibilities, control points, monitoring frequencies and reporting standards for the general husbandry of livestock.

Animal Use in Research

Most animals on MAES properties are managed by the AOM (funded by MAES and COA) to support research and teaching. Some animals are associated with specialized research project in the Veterinary Molecular Biology program; VMB personnel will be directly responsible for their care and management. The remainder of this section will apply to non-VMB research projects, except when they may affect MAES resources or impact research or teaching.

Use of livestock in MAES and grant-funded research projects affects general farm management, the use of feed resources including grazeable forage, the scheduling of labor and the use of facilities. The DH(s), after consulting with the AOM, shall decide how to allocate resources to specific projects, which will reimburse MAES accounts for any extraneous expenses incurred by MAES. Researchers who desire to use livestock in research projects must:

  • Provide the DH(s) and the AOM a written request for the use of animals and facilities at least six (6) months in advance.
    • Requests received with less lead-time than 6 months risk receiving lower priority in the allocation of animals, facilities, personnel and feed resources. 
    • Requests requiring changes in mating assignments or changes in the breeding protocol must be received at least three (3) months before the breeding season.
  • Provide the DH(s) and the AOM a written protocol at least one (1) month before project work begins. Facilities cannot be modified unless they are approved in writing by the AOM and DH(s). No project may start without an approved protocol as indicated by:
  • Research protocols should include the following:
    • Starting and ending dates for the project
    • Rationale
    • Objectives
    • Experimental design
    • Personnel involved
    • Animals required - specified by type, age, condition, sex and source
    • Animal management and facility requirements and specifications
    • Labor requirements, including times, dates and the people responsible
    • Feed requirements, including responsibilities for purchase and preparation
    • Record of vaccines and shots
    • Details of data collection and personnel responsible
    • A budget that identifies financial support to complete the project
  • Have a face-to-face meeting with the AOM and other involved personnel before the project begins to discuss and clarify protocols and responsibilities. 
  • Communicate any modifications to protocols to the AOM as soon as possible, verbally and in writing.
  • Communicate frequently with the AOM regarding the progress of the project.

Animal Use in Teaching

Animals are managed by the AOM (position primarily funded by MAES and modestly by COA) to support research and teaching. Use of livestock in courses and other educational activities affects general management, the use of feed resources including grazeable forage, the scheduling of labor and the use of facilities. The AOM, working with the DH(s), shall decide how to allocate resources to specific instructional activities.

Instructors who desire to use livestock in educational activities must:

  • Provide the AOM a written request for animals and facilities at least six (6) months in advance.
    • Requests received with less lead-time than 6 months risk receiving lower priority in the allocation of animals, facilities, personnel and feed resources. 
    • Requests requiring changes in mating assignments or changes in the breeding protocol must be received at least three (3) months before the breeding season.
    • Requests for continuing undergraduate courses need to be renewed annually.
  • Provide the AOM a written protocol at least one (1) month before the activity begins. Points of clarification or negotiation shall be resolved before the activity begins. Facilities cannot be modified unless they are approved in writing by the AOM and DH(s). No activity may start without an approved protocol as indicated by:
  • Instructional protocols should include the following:
    • Starting and ending dates of the activities
    • Times and frequency of activities
    • Objectives
    • Description of activities
    • Personnel involved
    • Animals required - specified by type, age, condition, sex and source
    • Animal management and facility requirements and specifications
    • Record of vaccines and shots
    • Labor requirements, including times, dates and personnel responsible
    • Feed requirements, including responsibilities for purchase and preparation
    • A budget that identifies financial support for the instructional activity.
  • Have a face-to-face meeting with the AOM and other involved personnel before the project begins to discuss and clarify protocols and responsibilities. 
    • Continuing activities, e.g undergraduate courses, should hold this meeting annually.
  • Communicate any modifications to protocols to the AOM as soon as possible, verbally and in writing.
  • Communicate frequently with the AOM regarding the progress of the activity.

Resource Materials

Resource texts located in the AOM's office:

  • GUIDE for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching - FASS.
  • Handbook of Livestock Management - Battaglia.
  • Montana Farm Flock Sheep Production Handbook - Kott.
  • Producing Consumer Products from Sheep: The Sheep Safety and Quality Assurance Program - Roeber, Belk, Levalley, Scanga, Sofos and Smith.

The following resources must be stored in the AOM's office (MSU BART Farm), the "Surgery Support Room" (Fort Ellis Research Farm) and the Red Bluff Research Ranch office:

  • Resources included in a single notebook:
  • Resources included in a second notebook:
    • Current Research Protocols for projects at the unit
    • Current Instructional Protocols for activities at the unit
  • Resources included in a third notebook:
    • Operation and safety checklists - one for each type of equipment used at the unit
    • Training manual on use of equipment (when available)
  • Items to be filed in the AOM's office:
    • Animal care certifications for all current employees
    • ARS Livestock Health Management Plan
    • Equipment operations and safety certifications