Boost your herd's health - attend Nebraska's cow clinics

By Scout Nelson

Nebraska Extension is hosting a series of Cow Clinics in the upcoming months, designed to prepare farmers for a successful calving season through effective cow herd management. These clinics, scheduled for December and January, are a must-attend for those looking to enhance their calving and breeding practices.

Educators and specialists will lead clinics on topics like body condition scoring, teat and udder assessment, forage sampling, interpreting forage analysis, and diet planning for cows in their last trimester, aiming to equip farmers with tools to improve herd health and productivity.

The clinics are priced at $20 per attendee. The first 20 registrants at each location will receive a complimentary forage test, adding significant value to their participation. Each clinic begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up by 2 p.m., offering a concise yet comprehensive learning experience.

Registration details are as follows:

December 19, 2023, at Valentine Livestock Auction, Valentine, Nebraska. Contact Ryan Benjamin at 402-376-1850 or ryan.benjamin@unl.edu

December 20, 2023, at Atkinson Livestock Market, Atkinson, Nebraska. Contact Steve Niemeyer at 308-346-4200 or smiemeyer1@unl.edu

January 9, 2024, at Beatrice 77 Livestock Sales, Beatrice, Nebraska. Contact Wayde Pickinpaugh at 402-335-3669 or wayde.pickinpaugh@unl.edu

January 10, 2024, at North Platte Stockyards, North Platte, Nebraska. Contact Randy Saner at 308-532-2683 or randy.saner@unl.edu

These clinics are not just educational but also a great opportunity for networking. Sponsored in part by Security First Banks in Valentine and Beatrice, as well as First Interstate Banks in North Platte and Atkinson, they are a testament to the community's commitment to agricultural advancement.

For those interested in attending, contacting the Nebraska Extension office for registration is recommended. These Cow Clinics are crucial in ensuring that Nebraska’s cattle herds are managed efficiently and effectively, leading to more successful calving and breeding seasons.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar