K-State to Host Calving School in Southeast KS

Program focuses on calving management and handling difficult births.

Kansas State University’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and K-State Extension’s Southwind District, Wildcat District, and Cherokee County will host a Calving Management School in Erie as part of a statewide educational effort preparing producers for the upcoming calving season.

The event will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Neosho Valley Event Center, 321 N. Wood, Erie, Kansas. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the meal and program will begin at 6:00 p.m. Producers are asked to register online at: https://bit.ly/SEKCalvingSchool2026 or call 620-244-3826. Thanks to the generous sponsorships from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, Cleaver Farm & Home, Merck Animal Health, and Zoetis, producers can attend the program at no charge.

The program will cover overall calving management, including the stages of normal labor and practical tips for managing difficult calving situations. A.J. Tarpoff, K-State Extension beef veterinarian, said the goal of the program is to increase producer knowledge and hands-on skills to support more successful births when assistance is needed.

“We want producers to leave better prepared for calving season,” Tarpoff said. “We will discuss timelines on when to examine cows for problems, when to call your veterinarian if something isn’t progressing normally, and how to provide proper calf care during the first hours of life. It’s an excellent program for all experience levels.”

Dr. Tarpoff will also demonstrate the proper use of calving equipment using a life-size cow and calf model. Local extension agents will also cover Body Condition Scoring and a Calving Tool-Kit.

For more information, please contact Hunter Nickell, Livestock Production Agent, (620) 244-3826, [email protected].