By Andi Anderson
Boots in the Barn, a program tailored for women in dairy and beef farming, presents eight educational sessions to empower cattlewomen with valuable knowledge. Scheduled in northeast Iowa, these sessions run from February 13 to March 14, covering diverse topics like vaccines, calf health, forage and feed management, and farm transitions.
Previous participants praise the program for instilling confidence in skills such as vaccine administration, creating a supportive environment exclusively for women. Led by outstanding presenters in the field, this year's program, organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, promises new and timely insights.
Jenn Bentley, dairy specialist, highlights the varied topics, including vaccines, forage management, and health troubleshooting with hands-on sessions like calf necropsy and dystocia simulations. The program caters to both dairy and beef women, with sessions held in Edgewood and Decorah.
Sessions cover a range of themes, from forage and feeding management to understanding calf health through necropsy. A highlight is the practical session on troubleshooting dystocia with a calving simulator named "Butterscotch." The program concludes with a session on transitioning the farm and networking with charcuterie.
Participants can register online by Feb. 6 or contact ISU Extension and Outreach offices in Delaware and Winneshiek Counties. The program fee is $30 per person. Boots in the Barn aims to address the need for specialized agricultural programs for women, offering a supportive learning environment.
For more information, reach out to Jenn Bentley at 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu. Join Boots in the Barn for a transformative journey in enhancing your dairy and beef farming skills.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jessicahyde
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle