The first and last sessions will be held at University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte. All other sessions will be located at the University of Nebraska, Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL), a 12,800 acre working ranch with research and education facilities.
2024-2025 Dates
June 4, 2024, North Platte
June 5, 2024, Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL), Whitman
July 10, 2024, GSL
September 4 - 5, 2024, GSL
November 7, 2024, GSL
January 7, 2025, GSL
January 8, 2025, North Platte
2023-2024 Dates
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Tuesday, June 6, 2023, WCREC, North Platte, NE
Agenda
Introduction to Systems Thinking
Decision Making in Agriculture
Plant Growth, Development, and Morphology
Seasonal Yield and Quality Patterns -
Wednesday, June 7, 2023, GSL, Whitman, NE
Agenda
Plant Response to Defoliation
Review of Nutrient Needs of Beef Cattle -
Thursday, July 6, 2023, GSL
Agenda
Cattle Markets and Marketing Strategies
Balancing Forage Supply and Demand -
Wednesday, September 6, 2023, GSL
Agenda
Genetic Considerations for the Cow Herd
Health Considerations for Calf Weaning and Transition to Feedlot
Milk Production and Weaning Management
Time of Calving
Paper: Choosing a calving date
Implications of Calving Systems
Diet Selection and Animal Behavior
Risk Management Strategies -
Thursday, September 7, 2023, GSL
Agenda
Cull Cow Management
Feed Cost and Cornstalk Grazing Cow-Q-Lator
Making Monitoring Easier-GrassSnap App
Grazing Systems
Ranch Tools: Grazing and Hay Records -
Thursday, November 2, 2023, GSL
Agenda
Grazing Records Review and Weather 2023
Calf Retention Decisions
Heifer Development Decisions
Management of Breeding Bulls
Mineral Considerations for the Cowherd
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NEW DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 2024, GSL
Agenda
Optimal Endpoints for Feeder Cattle
Seeded Complementary Forages
Meadow Fertilization Economics -
NEW DATE: Thursday, January 18, 2024, North Platte
Agenda
Production Measures for Cow Herd Performance
Managing Health Risks in the Cow Herd
Yearling Systems
Carcass Endpoints
Attendance at all sessions is important because of the sequential nature of the curriculum. Participants must attend at least 6 of the 8 sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion.
"Coming from an ecological background,
the class provided me with a better understanding of Sandhills
ranching and livestock needs that I will be able to use in the future."
-Jayne Jonas, The Nature Conservancy
