Education for Veterinarians, Extension Educators and Other Agricultural Professionals on Organic Livestock Health

Education for Veterinarians, Extension Educators and Other Agricultural Professionals on Organic Livestock Health

Summary

2015 continued the project goal of increasing the knowledge and skills of veterinarians regarding the NOP livestock standards and best herd health practices for organic animals, and deriving greater confidence in treating certified organic livestock. During the second year, the project continued the delivery of educational programming to veterinarians, Extension educators, and other professionals who routinely work with organic livestock herds and flocks. Programming consisted of webinars, on-farm training and tours, and full-day trainings on dairy herd and poultry flock health management. Second year topics were complimentary to first year offerings with many building on concepts presented earlier. Networks of organic livestock health professionals and a farmer advisory council were consulted in the development of second year programs, and in reviewing first year efforts. An on-line discussion forum was established to facilitate peer-to-peer learning.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Provide webinar based trainings on National Organic Program standards, on-farm audits to assess risk, parasite management and control, pain management treatments, and poultry flock health to 75 veterinarians, Extension personnel, and other consultants. In collaboration with IOIA/OMRI provide education to 25 veterinarians on organic livestock input materials. Establish a functional education network for peer-to-peer support and informal information sharing. Establish a farm advisory council to provide guidance and expertise to project personnel, veterinarians, and farmers.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Documented achievements in 2015 include an increased level of knowledge and skills of veterinarians, Extension personnel, and other consultants.

• Farm tours
  • Organic dairy with 44 participants.
  • Multi-species grazing with 21 participants.
  • Pasture lambing and sheep health with 35 participants.
  • Pasture poultry health with 42 participants.
• Webinar participation of 175 attendees includes 47 veterinarians; 79 Extension agents, educators, and consultants/nutritionists; plus 48 farmers. 12 veterinarians participated in the IOIA/OMRI organic livestock input materials webinar.
• Full-day workshops
  • Dairy herd health served 3 veterinarians, 3 educators, 8 consultant/nutritionist, plus 21 farmers.
  • Poultry flock health served 3 veterinarian, 12 educators, plus 12 farmers.
• Organic livestock and poultry care network annual meeting drew 4 veterinarians and 7 farmers.
• Scholarship opportunity to attend the 37^th annual OEFFA conference was extended to 6 veterinarians.The farmer advisory council’s 6 members met to review season activities.
• An Organic Livestock Healthcare on-line discussion forum was established with 37 active participants.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

• 7 veterinarians and 6 agricultural professionals received certificates in organic livestock input materials standard through IOIA.
• 127 professional health care providers/consultants trained through webinar participation.
• 9 additional webinars archived on OEFFA website and you-tube channel.
• Farmer advisory council actively providing guidance to project staff and participants.
• 1 new factsheets developed on trace nutrient requirements
• 6 additional veterinarians have a greater understanding of the organic community through participation at the OEFFA conference.
• 37 participants engaged in on-line discussions sharing resources and experiences.

Collaborators: