Several opportunities are available for local residents wanting to learn more about raising and caring for livestock.

Livestock Advisor program

This year’s WSU Livestock Advisor program kicked off March 26,  offering 10 weeks of training covering housing, nutrition, feeding, fencing, mud and manure management, weed and pasture management systems for sheep, beef, swine, poultry, goats, horses, llamas/alpacas and more. Overcoming the challenges of raising livestock in today’s difficult feed and economic times will also be explored.

Whitney Augustson (left) teaches a participant the proper way to halter and lead during the 2012 Livestock and Handling course. PHOTO BY KATE HALSTEAD

Participants are asked to return 50 hours of volunteer time over a two year period, crafting the experience to match their interests.

Cost of the 10-week course is $250 with a second person from the farm or family free. The class meets Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. through May 28 at Stanwood High School. For more information, contact Valerie Dekok at (360) 428-4270 ext. 221, or vdekok@co.skagit.wa.us.

Livestock Handling and Care workshops

The upcoming Livestock Handling & Care workshops presented by the WSU Snohomish County Extension Agriculture and 4-H programs are ideal for folks new to raising livestock or wanting to refine their skills. The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14, at the Sheriff’s Posse Arena at 5421 S. Machias Road in Snohomish. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hands-on workshops with live animals include topics such as hoof trimming, injections, dehorning, halter training, nutrition, fencing, and more. The workshops are taught by graduates and seniors from the WSU Snohomish County 4-H Livestock Program. In addition, all attendees receive a take-home CD-ROM loaded with resources for all species.

The following hands-on workshops are available:

• Goats: Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn the basics of handling, milking, nutrition, fencing, housing, dehorning, and more.

• Sheep: Saturday, April 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn how to raise sheep for food and fiber with health as a focus. Discuss handling, housing, nutrition, and see demonstration.

• Poultry: Sunday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn the basics of proper care and handling for all types of poultry.

• Beef: Sunday, April 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn proper leading, handling, dehorning, and injection techniques along with fencing, nutrition, and more.

The cost is $25 per person per session. To register online, visit livestock.brownpapertickets.com. Contact registrar Karie Christensen at (425) 357-6039 or e-mail christensen4@wsu.edu.

100 Short Courses

Designed for beginning farmers, WSU Extension and Department of Animal Sciences announced the first WSU Beef, Lamb, Pork and Poultry 100 short-courses in western Washington. The Beef and Pork 100 course will be offered on May 17 and the Lamb and Poultry on May 18. All courses will take place at the Stanwood-Camano Fairgrounds in Stanwood. The one-day species specific program will help livestock producers increase their knowledge on how to produce safe, high quality food animals profitably; while producing the animals in an environmental and animal care conscious manner. The cost is $65 to $100 per person. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, contact Sarah Smith at (509) 754-2011.

Published in the April 2013 issue of Grow Northwest