Wisconsin hosting Stockmanship and Stewardship event

LANCASTER, Wis. — While the dictionary doesn’t include the word “stockmanship,” most livestock producers know what it means: handling livestock in a calm, quiet manner that results in animals that are healthier and gain faster.

Stockmanship skills will be a major focus of the upcoming Stockmanship and Stewardship workshop Aug. 28-29 at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Lancaster in southwest Wisconsin.

Held in the heart of the driftless region, known for its rolling hills, fertile soils and abundant pastures, this will be an action-packed two days, featuring a variety of topics from cattle health and well-being to pasture management and land stewardship, complemented by low-stress cattle handling demonstrations.

“Educational programs like Stockmanship and Stewardship elevate producers’ commitment to continuous improvement through BQA principles,” said Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Extension natural resources, environment and energy educator serving Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago counties.

“By participating in Stockmanship and Stewardship, cattlemen and women are demonstrating to consumers that they are striving to produce the highest quality, safest beef possible.”

Producers can engage with cattle producers who have been recognized for their land stewardship efforts at the regional and national levels as they participate in an interactive panel, offering insights into their approaches to raising beef cattle while enriching their land.

Culver’s restaurant, a strong advocate of farmers, will share its perspective on how sustainability and customer preferences influence their business decisions.

A tour of the nearby University of Wisconsin Lancaster Ag Research Station will showcase the work done there with a focus on soil conservation and grazing projects.

The low-stress cattle handling demonstrations, led by Curt Pate and Ron Gill, will teach how using the animals’ natural instincts helps improve cattle flow and makes handling easier and safer for both humans and animals.

They will demonstrate using both beef cattle and beef-and-dairy cross cattle, providing tactics on how to move them differently based on their different instincts and behaviors. A chute side discussion will also be included.

Extension specialists and educators from Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin will lead breakout sessions addressing fitness for transport, pasture management, hairy heel warts and several other topics.

The conference will conclude with a panel discussion featuring AI company representatives who share how they are selecting for sustainability.

Participants who attend the full training will also receive their Beef Quality Assurance certification. A BQA test will be offered to those interested at the completion of the program on Aug. 29.

For more information, the complete agenda, cost and registration, visit www.StockmanshipAndStewardship.org.

Cattle producers attending Stockmanship and Stewardship are eligible for reimbursement through the Rancher Resilience Grant.

To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and a two-night hotel, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.