• First module starts April 22.
A Dairy Herd Manager and Supervisor Training Program has been developed to help large dairy operations increase their profitability and sustainability in the face of increasing animal welfare concerns, according to program organizers.
The program will offer four day-long modules, conducted in Spanish. The dairy herd manager and supervisor training begins April 22 and ends Nov. 4. The program is a collaboration between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Veterinary Education, Research and Outreach program at West Texas A&M University.
The cost for all four modules is $600, which covers meals and educational materials.
The deadline for application is March 16. For information about sponsorships and to register, go to https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/Dairy.
“How to remain competitive is the big question for dairy operations, which includes knowing the consumer expectations,” said Juan Piñeiro, DVM, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension dairy specialist, Amarillo. “This training will focus on helping modern large dairy herds make sure their operation emphasizes proper cattle handling, positive human-animal interaction, best animal welfare practices and employee safety.”
Each module will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Piehl-Schaeffer Pavilion on West Texas A&M University’s campus, at the intersection of Russell Long Boulevard and West Texas A&M Drive, Canyon.
Using short oral presentations, group discussion and hands-on demonstrations, the modules will be:
April 22: Module 1 – Animal welfare, downer cows and euthanasia.
June 17: Module 2 – Calving management and neonatal care.
Aug. 19: Module 3 – Low-stress cattle handling and employee safety.
Nov. 4: Module 4 – Cattle pain management.
Each participant will receive a certificate of completion.
For additional information, contact Piñeiro at Juan.pineiro@ag.tamu.edu, 806-679-0440, or co-coordinators Dee Griffin, DVM, dgriffin@wtamu.edu, VERO director; or Gustavo Schuenemann, DVM, Ph.D., Schuenemann.5@osu.edu, The Ohio State University Extension.
