CSU to host cattle handling workshop Sept. 5 and 6

Curt Pate and Colorado State University Professor Temple Grandin – two internationally renowned beef cattle handling experts – will be featured speakers during a workshop at CSU’s Agricultural Research Development and Educational Center in Fort Collins.

The program is part of the National Beef Quality Assurance Stockmanship and Stewardship Tour, aimed at educating cattle producers about proper handling and management of beef cattle.

The workshop will begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5 and will include an evening program, 6:30-8:30 p.m., followed by events on Sept. 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at ARDEC, the CSU Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center, 4482 E. County Road 56, Fort Collins.

The workshop will open Friday evening with a keynote presentation and interactive discussion with Grandin, an animal well-being and handling expert. CSU’s Meat Laboratory will host a beef dinner served during the keynote presentation.

The morning session on Saturday will include a hands-on low-stress cattle handling clinic presented by Pate (http://curtpatestockmanship.com/) using live animals. Tips will be provided to improve gathering, penning, sorting, chute-work and loading of beef cattle.

During the afternoon, participants will receive training related to BQA guidelines by rotating through “stations” in small groups. Topics will include: diagnosis and treatment of sick animals and proper use of protocols; efficient and safe chute-side processing of cattle and handling of pharmaceuticals; and trouble-shooting animal handling and facility design problems. Attendees will have the opportunity to become officially BQA Certified in the Colorado BQA Program at the conclusion of the workshop.

The BQA Stockmanship and Stewardship tour is focused on educating beef cattle producers about consumer demands and proper BQA practices for beef cattle, including low-stress cattle handling and proper health management. Emphasis is placed on ways to increase cattle performance by reducing handling stress and how these principles actually have a significant economic — as well as “quality of life” — benefit when applied in a cattle enterprise.

A reduced pre-registration fee of $50 ($25 for students) is available for those who register by Aug. 29. The registration fee includes all meals and clinics.

To register, contact Katy Lippolis at [email protected] or call 970-491-BEEF.

The workshop is being hosted by CSU ARDEC and the Department of Animal Sciences, as well as the Colorado and National BQA Programs.