The Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University and the Kansas Beef Council are partnering to host seven advanced beef cattle care and health training sessions throughout Kansas during August and September. The beef checkoff-funded sessions will provide beef producers and veterinarians with up-to-date standards and technologies to improve animal welfare and food safety. The training sessions will be led by Dan Thomson, DVM, PhD; Chris Reinhardt, PhD; and Dave Rethorst, DVM; all of the Beef Cattle Institute.
The meetings are scheduled as follows: Aug. 12 — Winter Livestock, Dodge City—6 p.m.; Aug. 20 — Oakley Livestock Commission Company, Oakley—6 p.m.; Aug. 2 2— Holton Livestock Exchange, Holton—6:30 p.m.; Sept. 4 — Paola Livestock Auction, Paola—6 p.m.; Sept. 9 — Coffeyville Livestock Market, Coffeyville—6 p.m.; Sept. 12 — Central Livestock of South Hutch, South Hutchinson—6 p.m.; Sept. 16 — Marysville Livestock, Marysville—6 p.m.
Producers and veterinarians will receive Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) 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.
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. Walk-in attendees are welcome, but are not guaranteed a meal.
The Beef Cattle Institute was founded in 2007 to provide beef industry stakeholders with the most current education, research and outreach available in the beef industry. The BCI offers certificates and tools to aid producers in managing a successful beef business.
The Kansas Beef Council administers the $1-per-head beef checkoff in Kansas. Funds are used for research, educational activities and promotion of beef and beef products. Twenty-nine cattle producer volunteers from Kansas serve on the executive committee and direct how checkoff funds are utilized.