By Scout Nelson
Ranchers and cattle producers interested in enhancing their knowledge of livestock production are invited to join the 2025 Nebraska Ranch Practicum, hosted by Nebraska Extension. This comprehensive program, designed to provide cutting-edge research and practical knowledge in range livestock production, spans eight sessions over three seasons.
Participants will gain insights into various topics, including effective decision-making tools for evaluating management and marketing strategies, plant identification, range condition assessment, grazing methods, wildlife management, cow body condition scoring, and beef cattle production systems.
The practicum will be held on multiple dates: June 3 and 4, July 10, September 3 and 4, November 6, 2025, and January 6 and 7, 2026. The program will begin and conclude with classroom sessions at the West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center in North Platte, with additional sessions held at the University of Nebraska’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, a working ranch located near Whitman, Nebraska.
The registration fee for the practicum is $750, with an additional $400 for spouses. The fee includes access to educational materials, meals, and breaks during the sessions. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. The program can also be credited toward college or continuing education requirements.
“The Nebraska Ranch Practicum advantage is in the approach, where beef production is viewed as an integrated continuous ongoing system,” said Troy Walz, Nebraska Extension educator. “This approach gives participants the training and understanding to consider the use of resources, management, and economics in the context of their personal preferences and goals for their ranch.”
To register, applicants must submit their completed application and registration fee by May 5, 2025. Enrollment is limited to 35 participants, and those who are not selected will receive a refund. Participants will be notified about their status by May 19.
For more information or to register, visit the Nebraska Ranch Practicum website at https://nebraskaranchpracticum.unl.edu/. For questions, contact Troy Walz at 308-872-6831 or via email at troy.walz@unl.edu.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-erdinhasdemir
Categories: Nebraska, Education, Livestock, Beef Cattle