Success Story - Weaning 101 Goes Virtual due to COVID-19

Weaning 101 Goes Virtual due to COVID-19 - Grading Feeder Cattle

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Beef

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Developed the "Grading Feeder Cattle" segment.

Specialists Involved: Jeff Lehmkuhler, Michelle Arnold, Kevin Laurent, Kenny Burdine, Steve Higgins, Katie VanValin

The Weaning 101 Workshop help in collaboration with KBN at the Eden Shale farm has been successful in engaging participants in both classroom and hands-on learning styles. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all face-to-face meetings for 2020 and part of 2021. Knowing that producers still needed learning opportunities for CAIP educational requirements and were getting accustomed to online educational programs, the Weaning 101 Workshop was made to be an on-demand platform in 2020.

Each presenter recorded sessions for delivery in an online platform. Using YouTube, videos were uploaded for viewing of the subject material. A total of eight educational sessions were developed and offered beginning September 9^th, 2020 covering topics such as chuteside Beef Quality Assurance, health prevention at weaning, nutrition, housing considerations, markets, grading feeder calves, and technology. Using Google Forms, a three-question survey was developed to gather responses with answers scored. Each week over the 2-month period, a new Form was developed and made available for participants to view. As they completed the survey, lists were sent to counties of producers that correctly answered at least two of the three questions to qualify them for CAIP educational credit.

Over the course of September through December 2020, a total of 255 producers from 42 counties viewed the online materials and submitted quizzes. Additionally, 250 producers (98%) successfully completed the quiz to secure educational credit for the CAIP program. The feedback from ANR agents has been positive for hosting an on-demand online educational program that qualifies for the CAIP program. One agent stated, “This is a huge help getting and keeping track of CAIP education.” In response to agent feedback, the online video resources are still available for viewing.