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Virginia Cow/Calf Management Course Will be Offered This Fall/Winter
Livestock Update, October 2005
John B. Hall, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Virginia Tech
The Virginia Cow/Calf Management Course is a basic course for cow/calf producers. The course provides information and skill building in cowherd nutrition, genetics, health, reproduction and marketing. Extension Beef Cattle Specialists, Extension agents, veterinarians, and experienced beef producers serve as instructors for the course.
The 2005-2006 Cow/Calf Management course will combine at-home learning with an intensive two-day hands-on session. The at-home portion of the course can be received through mailings or over the internet. Each month from November through March beef producers will receive a section of the course complete with study questions. Producers will be able to ask questions of instructors through an electronic bulletin board or via telephone.
VT Cow Camp occurs in March or early April. This two day hands-on session with cattle will teach producers how to body condition score, process baby calves, vaccinate cattle, and handle cows and calves. Sessions on selection of bulls and heifers, and applied genetics will be included. Producers will learn how to handle calving problems and weak newborn calves. Reproductive anatomy, breeding soundness evaluations, the latest estrus synchronization systems, and reproductive management will be taught. Exact location of VT Cow Camp will depend on number and geographic distribution of participants.
This course was previously offered from 1999-2001, and over 500 beef producers completed the course. Last year the course was revised and over 100 producers from 14 different states took the course. The 2005-2006 VA Cow/Calf Management course will be very similar to the previous course with a few updates. Producers may enroll in the at-home portion of the course or the combination of the at-home portion and VT Cow Camp. The cost of the at-home portion of the course alone is $50. The cost of the at-home portion plus VT Cow Camp is $150. Registration deadline is November 1, 2005. To register for the course to go http://www.ext.vt.edu/cowcalf/index.html or for more information, contact Dr. John B. Hall, Extension Beef Specialist at jbhall@vt.edu or 540-231-9153 or Ms. Brenda Caldwell at 540-231-5253.