Women in agriculture will learn by lectures and hands-on training during "Pearls of Production" at the University of Missouri, Nov. 6-7.

Women in agriculture can learn the latest techniques in swine reproduction and beef herd management at the annual Pearls of Production workshop.

The event offers networking opportunities and hands-on training for women in livestock production agriculture Nov. 6-7 at the University of Missouri Animal Sciences Research Center in Columbia.

Swine track

Marcia Shannon, MU Extension swine specialist and one of the organizers of the event, and extension livestock specialist Heather Conrow will demonstrate the latest techniques in artificial insemination, heat detection and semen processing. Participants can test their knowledge through hands-on training.

Conrow and Shannon will also share new research and training on farrowing, baby pig processing, induction and reproductive tracts.

Beef track

It's one thing to study slides of cows for body condition scores (BCS), but planners say it's quite another to score a pen of moving cows, wearing their winter coats. BCS scores guide winter feeding. Women from beef farms get that chance to practice BCS scoring during breakout sessions.

Other on-farm sessions include calving assistance, collecting DNA for genetic testing, reading genetic results and bull selection based on expected progeny difference or EPDs. Women will learn vaccine handling, calf processing, feeder-calf grading and marketing.

MU Extension regional livestock specialists Wendy Flatt, Fayette, and Kendra Graham, Farmington, lined up speakers and work sessions. In addition to planning, Flatt will teach cow body condition scores and hay testing. Graham leads on sire selection.

Other opportunities

Other sessions during the two-day event include information on swine, small ruminant animals, and forage and pasture management.

The event offers lessons on leadership plus programs on farm equipment, meat, food quality, health and safety, business, and government programs.

The hands-on scholars learn take-home tips to bring back to their family farms.

The meetings start at the MU Animal Sciences Research Center. Work sessions are on farms of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

For registration and additional information, go to muconf.missouri.edu/womenandagriculture or, or call 573-882-4349 or 866-682-6663.

Source: University of Missouri Extension