Rainy Weather Around Omaha; Come to Cowboy College

It looks like rain in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa today. Why not spend the next two days out of the weather learning how to better handle your cattle?

Beef Today is hosting Cowboy College on Sept. 9-10, in Omaha, Neb. The two day meeting will offer an educational opportunity designed specifically for feedlot crews, but is also a good fit for local farmer feeders. Walk-up registration is available at $250 for producers.

From pen riders to the processing team there will be plenty of chances to learn about best management practices and animal welfare.

Nationally recognized veterinarians Tom Noffsinger and Dan Thomson will offer their expertise in a variety of topics, specifically animal health and handling, which are top of mind for cattlemen.

With beef prices at all-time highs the time is right to invest in your team’s knowledge.

Here is the schedule for Beef Today’s Cowboy College:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

• 8:45 – 10:00 Registration
• 10:00 –12:00
  • Management of newly received cattle - Dr. Dan Thomson
    • Pre-shipment factors that affect calf morbidity
    • Receiving new cattle
    • Processing protocols for new cattle
    • Metphylaxis programs for new cattle
    • Update on castration and dehorning techniques
    • Other topics associated with the first 48 hours at the feedyard
• 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
• 1:00 –3:00
  • Low-stress cattle handling - Dr. Tom Noffsinger
    • How does stress affect cattle performance, health and quality?
    • What low stress practices are available and how does implementing these into your operation raise cattle quality, employee performance and overall profitability?
    • Understanding cattle behavior and facility design
• 3:00 –3:30 Break in booth area
• 3:30 –5:00
  • Managing high risk calves the first 45 days on feed - Dr. Dan Thomson and Dr. Tom Noffsinger
    • Pen riding techniques
    • Managing bred heifers
    • Pen size and bunk space decisions
    • Receiving calf nutrition and health programs
• 5:30 –7:00 Network Reception

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

• 7:00 – 7:30 Continental breakfast
• 7:30 – 9:30
  • Antibiotic and therapy decisions for sick cattle - Dr. Mike Apley
    • Developing clinical definitions for the feedyard
    • Understanding antibiotics used in beef cattle operations
    • Developing therapy programs for feeder cattle
    • How do you measure treatment success?
• 9:30 – 10:00 Break in booth area
• 10:00 – 12:00
  • Management of recovering cattle - Dr. Dan Thomson
    • Hospital pen management
    • Humane Euthanasia
    • Necropsy techniques and findings
    • Submitting samples to the diagnostic laboratory
• 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
• 1:00 –3:00
  • Discussion of contemporary issues in feedyards and future implications - Dr. Dan Thomson and Dr. Mike Apley
    • Current issues in animal welfare
    • Current issues in food safety
    • Current issues in antibiotic usage
    • Current issues with feed grade antibiotics
    • Current issues with growth promoting agents
• 3:00 Adjourn

For more information go here.