Post Mortem Fundamentals
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Every animal that dies in a feedlot has a story to tell, and the post mortem is how we listen. Today, we're excited to launch Post Mortem Fundamentals, a new two-module course designed to build the skills and confidence feedlot staff need to conduct effective, safe and accurate post mortem examinations.
Why Post Mortems Matter
Post mortems, also known as necropsies, are one of the most valuable diagnostic tools available in feedlot animal health management. Done well, they can reveal exactly why an animal became sick or died — information that's critical for catching disease early, guiding veterinary decisions and preventing the same issue from affecting the rest of the herd.
Your role in the feedlot is central to this process. The observations you make and the samples you collect directly shape how quickly disease is identified and how effectively it's managed. This course was built to strengthen that role.
What's Inside the Course
The course is structured across two modules, taking you from foundational technique through to detailed, system-by-system examination.
Module 1 — Post Mortem Foundations
This module lays the groundwork. You'll learn the core principles, skills and responsibilities involved in conducting a post mortem examination, with a strong emphasis on working safely, observing accurately and using your findings to support better animal health outcomes across the feedlot.
By the end of Module 1, you'll have a solid foundation in post mortem technique and field diagnosis, better equipped to spot disease, support veterinary decision-making, and contribute to continuous improvement in animal health and welfare.
Module 2 — Post Mortem Foundations
Building on those foundations, this module takes you deeper into the practical examination of major organs and body systems. You'll work through detailed assessment of the:
Head
Lungs
Heart
Gastrointestinal tract
Pelvic and abdominal organs
Brain
Joints
You'll also learn how to correctly collect, preserve and send samples for laboratory testing, a critical step in supporting accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
By the end of Module 2, you'll have greater confidence and capability in performing detailed post mortem examinations and collecting high-quality diagnostic samples, directly supporting accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, stronger disease surveillance and improved feedlot performance.
Who Should Take This Course
This course is designed for feedlot staff involved in animal health monitoring, from those new to post mortem work through to experienced team members looking to sharpen their technique and diagnostic accuracy.
Get Started
Strong post mortem practice starts with strong fundamentals. Whether you're performing your first examination or your five-hundredth, this course will help you work more safely, observe more accurately, and contribute more effectively to animal health outcomes across your feedlot.
Available now on Feedlot TECH, the Post Mortem Fundamentals course is part of ALFA’s broader career development and training strategy, supporting the people who keep Australia’s feedlots productive, safe, and future-ready.
Whether you’re stepping into a maintenance role for the first time or looking to sharpen your existing skills, this course is a must.
An initiative of ALFA, in collaboration with MLA, the Feedlot Maintenance Fundamentals eLearning series is available through the feedlot industry’s Training, Education and Careers Hub, Feedlot TECH.
