Calving School to be hosted in a location near you!
By Jade Greene
In anticipation of calving season, Kansas State University’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Research and Extension are planning a series of calving schools in January.
The Wild West Extension District was selected to host one of the Calving Schools. This program will be held at the Haskell County Fair Grounds in Sublette, Kansas on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 6:00pm.
The program will outline overall calving management that includes stages of the normal calving process as well as tips to handle difficult calving situations.
Extension beef veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff said the goals of the event are to increase knowledge and practical skills, and to increase the number of live calves born if they need assistance.
The school will also share tips on when and how to intervene to assist the cow or heifer. Presenters will demonstrate the proper use of calving equipment on a life-size cow and calf model.
“Our goal is for producers to leave better prepared for calving season,” Tarpoff said. “We will demonstrate building a proper calving kit, then discuss timelines on when to examine cows for calving problems, and when to call your vet for help if things are not going well, and how to care for the newborn calf. It’s an excellent program regardless of one’s experience level.”
In addition to Tarpoff’s presentation, Justin Waggoner, K-State Beef Systems Specialist for the Southwest Area, will speak on rebuilding the herd, while focusing on replacement heifer nutrition and management.
According to USDA- National Agriculture Statistic Service Cattle Inventory Reports, “The total beef cows reached the lowest point in inventory in over 50 years. The calf crop total in 2022 was comparable to the calf crop of 2012—years both stricken with widespread drought in cattle country.”
“Following the beef cow decreasing trend, beef replacement heifers came in at 5.16 million head, down 6% from last year, in the Jan. 2023 report. This figure was much higher than the expected 3.5% decrease. The report estimates the 2022 calf crop in the U.S. to total 34.5 million head, down 2% from the previous year. With a dip in breeding females, we can also expect to see 2024 calf crop numbers to decline even further.”
With the decline in cattle numbers, it is imperative for producers to have a successful journey with each cow and calf. Join us at the Calving School to help prepare yourself for an important part of that journey.
RSVP by December 22, 2023 – call (620) 544-4359
Contact Jade Greene, Wild West District Livestock Agent, with any questions – (620) 624-5604 or jsgreene@ksu.edu
