Four events to focus on knowledge, skills to boost successful births
MANHATTAN, Kan. —In anticipation of calving season, beef cattle experts from the Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Research and Extension are planning a series of calving schools beginning in early January.
A.J. Tarpoff, an extension beef veterinarian, said calving schools aim to increase producers’ knowledge, practical skills and the number of live calves born. Each day-long program outlines overall calving management, including stages of the normal calving process and tips to handle difficult calving situations.
“Our goal is for producers to leave better prepared for calving season,” Tarpoff said. “We will discuss timelines on when to examine cows for calving problems, and when to call your vet for help if things are not going well. It’s an excellent program regardless of experience level.”
Speakers will share tips on when and how to intervene to assist the cow and how those times may be different when dealing with young heifers. Presenters also will demonstrate proper use of calving equipment on a life-size cow and calf model.
Tarpoff said the meetings will cover such topics as body condition scoring, colostrum management and animal health product storage and handling.
Meetings scheduled include:
• Wednesday, Jan. 6, Emporia. For more information, email Brian Rees, Lyon County extension, at [email protected].
• Monday, Jan. 11, Winfield. For more information, email Kelsey Nordyke, Cowley County extension, at [email protected].
• Wednesday, Jan. 13, Blue Rapids. For more information, email Anastasia Johnson Meyer, Marshall County extension, [email protected].
• Thursday, Jan. 21, Dodge City. For more information, email Andrea Burns, Ford County extension, at [email protected].
More information about the calving schools is available online as it becomes available.
FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS: Links used in this story
Information on K-State calving schools, KSUBeef.org
The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science and food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. For more about the K-State’s ASI department visit asi.ksu.edu.
K State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu
More information:
A.J. Tarpoff
785-532-1255
[email protected]
Story by:
Angie Stump Denton
785-562-6197
[email protected]
