Cattle Equipment Education and Training
Keep the herd organized and safe with the right cattle equipment knowledge
Maintaining and operating your cattle equipment is an ongoing process, which is why you need continuing education and training to keep your ranch or dairy running smoothly. Instead of going back to school for your education, look to other ways, such as the Internet, to find the best training and understanding of your cattle handling equipment.Where can you find the best training and information resources for cattle livestock equipment? Try:
1. Association and industry conventions and tradeshows offering cattle supplies.
2. Manufacturers and dealers with show cattle equipment that offer training videos and information.
3. Colleges and universities offering cattle equipment continuing education and training.
Check out cattle association and industry conventions for equipment for cattle breeders knowledge
When you attend industry and association tradeshows and conventions they often offer educational seminars about the equipment you use every day, from ranch vehicles to feeders, fertilizers, breeding supplies and much more. Take advantage of these training seminars to learn how to use your cattle handling equipment more effectively.
Try: The National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA) offers Cattlemen's College & Education, full of seminars on everything from fleet management to feed and breeding topics. CattleFax offers seminars and meetings on every aspect of the cattle business, from equipment and supplies to profitability.
Look for training and educational classes through dealers who carry ranch and dairy cattle equipment
Manufacturers and dealers are often a great source of information on cattle equipment education and training. They often offer videos or online courses in everything from equipment safety to how to use the various types of equipment. Use these courses to keep your ranch hands safe when they use this equipment, to keep the entire farm running more smoothly and efficiently.
Try: John Deere, manufacturer of farm and cattle equipment, offers John Deere University, with access to online courses about almost all of their equipment, including safety and operation. Allflex offers training videos on how to utilize several of their products, such as livestock ID tags. Gallagher Animal Management Systems offers fencing clinics around the country to train ranchers in the use of animal handling systems.
Find colleges and universities offering cattle equipment information and training
Many colleges and universities that offer agricultural schools have extensive libraries of training information for beef and dairy farmers. Cooperative Extensions offer that kind of information as well. Taking advantage of most of these courses and manuals is usually free, and they update them regularly so you'll always be sure you're accessing the most up-to-date information on everything from equipment for cattle breeding to cattle chutes and managing feed lots.
Try: Clemson University offers handbooks and online information on equipment and facilities, including a course in setting up safe cattle handling chutes. (Scroll down nearly to the bottom of the page for links to the information.) The University of Nebraska offers a home study course on beef cattle that includes information on cattle breeding equipment and cattle breeding supplies, profitability, feed, and much more. The Iowa Beef Center offers information on equipment for cattle breeding and rearing.
- Don't forget safety training for you and your ranch hands. Each type of cattle equipment is different, and using most of them can be dangerous. Make sure everyone who operates machinery and equipment has proper training before they use the equipment, especially used cattle equipment you might have purchased without an operators manual.
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