Introducing the New USDA Online Course: Resources to Support Aquatic Livestock Health Management
The Center for Educational Technologies (CET) at Texas A&M University is excited to announce a new course on USDATraining.com: Resources to Support Aquatic Livestock Health Management. This interactive, web-based training equips aquatic livestock producers and veterinarians with essential knowledge and practical skills to maintain healthy populations and support safe, compliant animal movement.
A Nationally Supported, Federally Funded Training Effort
This course was developed through funding and programmatic support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) as part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to strengthening U.S. aquatic animal health infrastructure.
USDA APHIS has invested in this national training initiative to:
- Support producers and veterinarians in implementing science-based aquatic livestock health practices
- Enhance farm-level preparedness
- Expand practical, accessible training opportunities for the aquaculture industry; extension personnel; and state, federal, and tribal partners
This project reflects a multi-year collaboration among USDA APHIS subject-matter experts, Texas A&M University faculty, and industry stakeholders, ensuring the content aligns with regulatory requirements, international standards, and real-world production needs.
Healthy aquatic livestock are essential not only for individual farm success but also for maintaining the United States’ ability to participate confidently in domestic and international markets. This training gives producers and veterinarians the practical tools they need to build strong health management plans and protect their operations. We are grateful for USDA APHIS’s investment in making this knowledge accessible nationwide.”
DR. NICOLA RITTER, Principal Investigator, Instructional Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Educational Technologies, Texas A&M University
Launching Now: Resources to Support Aquatic Livestock Health Management
Aquaculture operations vary widely by species, production method, water systems, region, and business goals. This course introduces the foundational resources needed to tailor a robust, farm-specific Aquatic Livestock Health Management Plan.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Define pathogens of concern and species susceptibility—and understand why these drive management decisions
- Distinguish between endemic and pathogen-free regional statuses
- Utilize resources to identify health requirements for aquatic livestock movement
Key Features
Interactive Learning
Built-in knowledge checks reinforce key decision points, such as determining pathogen zone status, identifying appropriate regulatory resources, and understanding tools available from USDA APHIS.
Real-World Scenarios
Case examples illustrate how principles translate to actual production settings—highlighting species-specific risks, environmental considerations, and regional pathogen challenges.
Aquatic Livestock Resource Guide
A curated, easy-to-navigate resource guide links users directly to:
- USDA APHIS guidance
- WOAH standards
- National surveillance databases
- Technical reference materials for producers and veterinarians
Enroll Today
Put science-based, federally supported resources to work for healthier stock, resilient operations, and confident aquatic animal movement.
Course: Aquatic Livestock Health Management Course
Enroll at: USDATraining.com
For more information or support using the course, contact Dr. Nicola Ritter at nicolaritter@tamu.edu.
About the Center for Educational Technologies
The Center for Educational Technologies (CET) specializes in translating scientific research and federal program priorities into accessible, high-impact educational resources. Many sponsors—including federal agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners—turn to the CET to disseminate complex technical findings through practical training, outreach, and workforce development programs.
The CET provides:
- Online course development and hosting
- Instructional design with full accessibility compliance
- Multimedia production, including field-based video capture
- Web development and custom application support
- Expertise in large-scale grant dissemination requirements