Beef, dairy producers invited to Purdue Calving Academy

Midwest beef and dairy producers are invited to attend Purdue University Extension’s Calving Academy, occurring 1-4:30 p.m. (EST) on four Saturdays this December and January.

The hands-on event will cover topics including parturition, cow restraint and calf manipulation, triaging neonatal calves and the calving tool kit, among others.

Nick Minton, Extension beef systems specialist, said, “Calving season can be an exciting and stress-inducing time on the farm. The goal of the Calving Academy is to review all aspects of parturition and caring for the calf immediately after calving to enhance producer success during this season.”

Dr. Bethany Funnell, clinical associate professor of bovine theriogenology in Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine, is the academy instructor.

The Calving Academy dates and locations are as follows:

Dec. 14, 2024 – Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center, Huntington University, Huntington, Ind.

Dec. 21, 2024 – Feldun Purdue Agricultural Center, 1117 State Road 458, Bedford, Ind.

Jan. 4, 2025 – Decatur County Extension Office, 545 S. County Road 200 W., Greensburg, Ind.

Jan. 11, 2025 – Purina Pavilion, Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences, 270 S. Russell St., West Lafayette, Ind.

The deadline to register is Dec. 5. The cost to attend is $50. A stainless steel bucket and cup and Betadine scrub are available for an additional $100, and a set of OB chains and handles is available for an additional $150.

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For questions and/or accommodations, contact Minton at [email protected] or (812) 279-4330.

Purdue University’s College of Agriculture is a leading college of agricultural, food, life and natural resource sciences.