2005 Year in Review

Livestock Training Workshops Address New Topics

Source: Randy Fonner; (217)333-2611; refonner@uiuc.edu; Author: Leanne Lucas

The upcoming Certified Livestock Manager Training (CLMT) workshops in Illinois will address a broad range of new topics, as well as assist producers in their efforts to comply with environmental regulations affecting the livestock industry.

"This year's workshops are completely different from what they were in the past," said Ted Funk, University of Illinois agricultural engineer and creator of the CLMT workshops. "We're not going to rehash the same things producers heard three years ago. It's all going to be new."

Some of the new topics include:

Ethanol by-products: Distillers dried grains (DDGS) are a by-product of ethanol production and are fast becoming an economical and popular part of Illinois animal diets.

CLMT workshops will include Extension specialists' recommendations on feeding DDGS, the impact they have on manure nutrient contents and what that means to a manure management plan.

Soil moisture: Soil type and soil moisture affect manure application. Since all soils have a limited capacity for holding liquid, it may not be prudent or economical to apply the entire "shot" of manure at one time.

Specialists will provide practical, easy-to-measure guides for soil moisture measurement, with tips on how to record results in your manure management plan.

Manure application over drainage tiles: How should liquid manure application be managed in the vicinity of tile lines? Ag engineering specialists will highlight the risks and show simple ways to eliminate the pollution potential.

Randy Fonner, U of I Extension specialist and coordinator of the workshops, said the Livestock Management Facilities Act, passed in Illinois in 1996, requires manure management certification for producers with design space for more than 300 animal units. This certification must be renewed every three years, said Fonner.

To receive certification, producers with more than 300 animal units must attend an approved training session or successfully complete the Illinois Department of Agriculture's written examination. Producers with more than 1,000 animal units must attend an approved training session and complete the written exam.

U of I Extension sponsors the CLMT workshops, which have been approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture as meeting the training certification requirement. (Extension also has an internet quiz option that, if successfully passed, eliminates the requirement of attending a workshop. Contact Fonner at refonner@uiuc.edu or visit Certified Livestock Management Program for details.

This year's workshops will again include several species-specific workshops, three for beef/dairy producers and four for swine producers.

"Of course," Fonner emphasized, "all of the workshops are open to all producers. Dairy producers can come to a swine workshop and still be certified. They just need to know that the examples and discussion will be primarily aimed at swine production. It also allows the instructors to get more specific."

To accommodate the schedule of most beef/dairy farms, the special beef/dairy workshops will begin an hour later than the regular workshops.

Finally, Fonner would like to see producers representing smaller operations attend the workshops as well, whether or not they opt for certification.

"We can show the smaller operations some things that will help them better deal with the manure management rules and regulations that are applicable to them," he said.

To register for a workshop or purchase a manual or CD, call (800) 345-6087.

Prices are listed below and you can pay by phone or mail. The manual and CD are mailed UPS two-day delivery.
CLMT Manual only: $43.50 + $6.50 shipping = $50.00
CLMT Manual CD only: $16.50 + $3.50 shipping = $20.00
CLMT Manual & CD: $56.50 + $7.50 shipping = $64.00
CLMT Workshop Registration: $20 per person
Workshop walk-ins: $75 per person (includes CLMT manual) A workshop brochure is available at Certified Livestock Management Program.

Please register at least three weeks before the workshop you would like to attend so that the manual (or CD) can be mailed to you. If you have questions, contact Fonner at (217) 333-2611 or e-mail him at refonner@uiuc.edu

by  Editor, theCity1.com
October 28, 2005