Animal husbandry and humane handling have gained national attention in the past few years through the antics of animal rights activists.
Kansas cattlemen have long known that the best management practices produce the best beef.
This year, the Kansas Beef Council and the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University have again teamed up to host advanced beef cattle care and health training sessions throughout Kansas in October and November.
The beef checkoff-funded workshops provide beef producers and veterinarians up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and food safety.
This year's sessions will be led by Dan Thomson, DVM, PhD; Chris Reinhardt, PhD; and Dave Rethorst, DVM; all of the Beef Cattle Institute.
Workshop attendees will receive Beef Quality Assurance training and information relevant to the cow-calf, stocker and feedlot industry segments; animal husbandry best management practices; and downed animal care and humane euthanasia training.
In addition, stockmanship principles and low-stress cattle-handling techniques will be studied. All producers and veterinarians who attend will earn BQA certification. BQA certification is valid for three years.
The workshops are scheduled for:
October 1-Leavenworth County Fairgrounds, Tonganoxie
Co-hosted by Leavenworth County Beef Improvement Association
October 2-JC Livestock Sales, Junction City
October 7-Ft. Scott Livestock Market, Ft. Scott
Co-hosted by Linn and Bourbon counties Farm Bureau
October 9-Overbrook Livestock Commission Company, Overbrook
October 21-El Dorado Livestock Auction, El Dorado
October 27-Parish Hall, Sharon Springs
Co-hosted by Wallace County KLA
October 28-Southwest Area Research & Extension Center, Garden City
November 4-Washington Livestock Market, Washington
Co-hosted by Washington Vet Clinic
The workshops begin at 6 p.m, except for Garden City, which willl begin at noon. Each workshop is free of charge and includes a complimentary meal. Pre-registration one week or more prior to the event is requested by calling the Beef Cattle Institute (785) 532-4844 or emailing kjoliver@vet.ksu.edu. Online registration is available here. Walk-in attendees are welcome, but are not guaranteed a meal.