Calving mastery - k-state's practical training series

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Kansas State University’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, in collaboration with K-State Research and Extension, is gearing up for a productive calving season with a series of educational calving schools planned for January.

These sessions are meticulously designed to augment the practical skills and knowledge of livestock producers, regardless of their experience level.

The program focuses on comprehensive calving management, encompassing the stages of a typical calving process and offering guidance on handling challenging situations.

Extension beef veterinarian, A.J. Tarpoff, emphasizes the importance of these sessions in enhancing calving outcomes and ensuring a higher number of live births, especially in cases requiring intervention.

Schools emphasize hands-on learning through life-size models of cows and calves, reinforcing learning and equipping participants with real-life scenarios. Key topics covered include building a calving kit, recognizing signs of difficulties, timely intervention, and newborn calf care, ensuring participants are well-equipped for real-life situations.

Each session is tailored to address local needs, making the learning experience relevant and actionable. The scheduled meetings are:

Jan 4: Stafford County Annex, St. John, Kansas; RSVP at Stafford County office, 620-549-3502 or baley@ksu.edu.
Jan 9: Haskell County Fairgrounds, Sublette, Kansas; RSVP at Wild West Extension office, Stevens County Office, 620-544-4359 or jsgreene@ksu.edu.
Jan 11: Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, Holton, Kansas; RSVP at Meadowlark Extension Holton office, 785-364-4125, cmcmanigal@ksu.edu
Jan 18: West Elk School, Howard, Kansas; RSVP at Rolling Prairie Extension office, 620-374-2174, or rfechter@ksu.edu.

This initiative is a testament to Kansas State University’s commitment to enhancing agricultural practices and supporting the farming community through education and practical training.

Photo Credit - gettyimages-diane-kuhl