New Animal Handling Training Modules Available Through BCI

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Tom Noffsinger, DVM, and K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute produce training modules directed at effective communication between producers and beef cattle.
By: Audrey Hambright, K-State Research & Extension News

A new set of online training modules for animal handling has been released at Animal Care Training. The modules, produced by the Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) at Kansas State University, focus on material and teachings by Tom Noffsinger, DVM, of Benkelman, Neb.

Noffsinger is a consulting feedyard veterinarian best known for his passion and enthusiasm for working on low-stress cattle handling in feedyards and ranches. Currently he serves as a veterinary consultant for PAC (Production Animal Consultation).

With these modules, the BCI and Noffsinger provide an opportunity for producers to continue to learn how to successfully communicate with cattle both in a cow/calf and feedlot setting. One of the main goals of these teachings is to reduce frustration in caregivers by offering knowledge so that producers can do their job more effectively.

"The focus of the modules is to empower caregivers to make each interaction with the cattle a positive experience for the cattle and the people," Noffsinger said.

The idea to share his knowledge of animal handling came to Noffsinger after seeing the effects of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training modules. He watched as BQA became more readily available to producers. With his understanding that stockmanship and low-stress cattle handling require availability and reputation, he wanted to do the same.

Tools provided in the online training are a product of what Noffsinger has learned from his work and experience in this field the past 15 years. He has incorporated these trainings into his veterinary consultation, and the skills he has developed have even changed the way he practices medicine.

"These tools have made a big difference in the safety and efficiency of caregivers," he said. "Having this knowledge has also improved the efficiency of cattle."

Noffsinger said he hopes that as a result of these trainings, producers will take on a new sense of responsibility and just as importantly, share this information with others.

The modules are available online, and producers can work through them at their own pace.  

Topics covered in the online training are as follows:

  • Stockmanship
  • Principles Parts 1, 2 and 3
  • Arrival Acclimation
  • Bud Box Loadout
  • Bud Box Management
  • Cattle Processing
  • Maternal Behavior
  • Non Eaters-Failed Acclimation
  • Pen Removal
  • Pulling Single Animals
  • Weaning Preparation
  • Tagging Newborns
  • Pen Riders

Currently, the complete training package includes 14 modules for the price of $450. Individual training modules may be purchased for $50 each. To get started, visit animalcaretraining.org. For questions, please contact the BCI at bci@ksu.edu or 785-532-4844.

 

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