Improving Production Efficiency through Cattle Reproduction Workshops
Animal Science
Melanie Heaton
Assistant Professor Ag and Natural Resources
Utah State University
Panguitch
Abstract
Ranchers in southern Utah and northern Arizona expressed a need for training in cattle pregnancy diagnosis. Veterinary service in the area is limited or non-existent and producers wanted hands-on training in diagnosing their own cattle. In 2008, cooperative extension faculty from the area procured funding from local conservation districts and provided a successful cattle pregnancy diagnosis workshop. After backlash from the Utah Veterinary Medical Association (UVMA) because the workshop was not taught by a licensed veterinarian, organizers established goals of following current laws and regulations while continuing to meet the needs of ranchers by providing needed programming. Since this time, the cattle reproduction workshop is held every year for one to two days in September, a favorable time for ranchers in the area, and addresses desired topics such as reproductive diseases, artificial insemination and synchronization, calving, castration and implanting, nutritional aspects of reproduction, calf health, and improving reproduction efficiency. Since the beginning of the workshop in 2008, 907 participants increased their knowledge of cattle reproduction. The workshops average 61 participants who manage 5,435 head of cattle. Organizers accumulated funding of over $31,000 to make the event free to ranchers. Over 94% of participants evaluated the workshop as “excellent or higher” over the past six years. Of those who attended, 71% implemented at least one reproductive management practice because of knowledge gained from the workshops and 63% reported improved conception, shorter calving season, and higher percentage of live calves in their herds. Effective evaluation of the cattle reproduction workshop results in programming that successfully improves economic stability for ranchers in rural Utah and Arizona.
Authors: Melanie Heaton, Andrew Brischke, Rebekah Esplin
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Melanie Heaton Assistant Professor Ag and Natural Resources, Utah State University, Utah, 84759
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Andrew Brischke Area Assistant Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Mohave & Coconino County Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona, Arizona, 86401
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Rebekah Esplin Professional Practice Extension Assistant, Iron County, Utah State University, Utah, 84720