Southwest Iowa Calving Clinic Set for January 23

Southwest Iowa cattle producers, including 4-H and FFA members, are invited to attend a calving clinic Jan. 23 at St. Peters Catholic Church Parish Hall, in Defiance. In addition to classroom style learning, attendees also will have the opportunity for hands-on practice with delivering calves and dealing with dystocia cases utilizing a life-sized model cow and calf from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said the educational program will offer valuable information about the basics about the birthing process, newborn calf care, and cow nutritional impacts.

“Using the model, we can place the calf in various positions so that participants must work to correct those undesirable positions before delivering the calf," she said. "The session also provides a great opportunity to share questions and experiences with speakers and fellow cattle producers."