First Panhandle Cattlemen’s College was Successful

by | Nov 10, 2022 | Beef Cattle, Educational Training, Livestock, Production Meeting

Cattle producers gathered from across multiple states to learn, network and develop their herds management strategies at the Panhandle Cattlemen’s College. The Panhandle Cattlemen’s College was developed to meet the needs of cattlemen as they work to improve their reproductive success and expand their knowledge of management skills. The event was hosted at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida from October 26-28, 2022. The program featured three tracks:

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Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Training

Beef Quality Assurance is a national program that raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. A BQA certification was offered as a stand-alone program on the morning of Wednesday, October 26, 2022. Completion this program resulted in participants receiving Florida BQA certification.

Dr. Todd Thrift teaching calving management during the BQA training.

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Artificial Insemination Course

Artificial Insemination (A.I.)  is an applied reproductive technology that allows producers to have accesses to industry leading genetics and increases their ability to manage the reproductive success of their herd. This was an applied hands-on course that trained participants in all aspects of A.I. and synchronization. Each day clients spent time in cows, practicing the chute-side A.I. techniques. This course concluded with the opportunity for participants to receive a certificate of certification for A.I.

Dr. Todd Anderson and Dr. Angela Gonella visiting with PCC participants while they practice their AI skills.

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Applied Beef Cattle Skills

The chute side practicum focused on basic cattle production skills that enhanced their ability to manage their herd by not only learning about production strategies, but also practicing the skills they need to implement them. An array of basic skills was covered such as cattle handling, pulling calves, tubing calves, tagging, castration, dehorning, giving injections, implanting and more. This course was designed for participants who are looking to expand their knowledge of applied management practices and will leave having had the opportunity practice these skills on live cattle.

Participants practicing the skills they learned as they processed 60 head of steers.

This program was provided by a team of agents and staff in the Northwest District including Kalyn Waters, Dr. Angela Gonelle, Nick Simmons, Kasey Aukema and Daniella Castaneda. The team’s goal is to continue to grow this program to feature multiple courses. Next fall we will be hosting another A.I. school with a chute side skills tract. If you are interested in attending this program in the fall of 2023, please contact Kalyn Waters at 850-547-1108 to be placed on the waiting list.

Our key sponsors for this program were Farm Credit of Northwest Florida, QLF, represented by Randy Davis and Brad Carter, and Merck Animal Health represented by Josh Thomson.

 

Kalyn Waters
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