Ladies … get your livestock on!

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Counties of Kneehill, Mountainview, Wheatland and Rocky View, in conjunction with the M.D. of Bighorn, Cows and Fish, Foothills and Forage Grazing associations, are hosting a Ladies Livestock Lessons retreat on Jan. 16-17 at the Strathmore Travelodge.
The retreat will be a great opportunity for farming women, new and experienced, to connect with one another and to gain knowledge of what is happening in the industry right now.
“This year’s retreat will consist of a Canadian Beef Market update, Livestock Emergency Preparedness and Response, First Aid for Livestock, Weed ID and Tag Reading. This will be complemented with good food, wine tasting with Fieldstone Fruit Wines, entertainment on the Friday evening and Yoga Saturday morning,” said Lorelee Grattidge, Agricultural Specialist for Mountain View County.
Since 2007, the Red-Bow Alliance, which is comprised of organizations and counties, put on two events each year to improve farm management.
“Since 2007 the committee has hosted two annual events, Ladies Livestock Lessons and Ranching Opportunities. These events both promote on-farm best management practices,” said Grattidge. “Ladies Livestock Lessons is held in a new location in the region each year. The event takes the form of a two-day retreat designed specifically for women working in the ranching/farming industry.
“The workshop includes indoor classroom time, hands-on sessions and lots of time for socializing and networking.”
The agenda does have modifications each year, but the topics that are discussed stay the same.
“The agenda changes from year to year, but often includes sessions on riparian health and tame or native range health and management, plant and weed identification, species at risk, low-stress livestock handling and herd health,” said Grattidge.
To register for the lessons, you can contact Fiona McCarthy at Mountain View Agricultural Service 403-335-3311 ext. 143 or by e-mail (fmccarthy@mvcounty.com).