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"Education is the Solution for all Problems." This may be true in almost all cases but it for sure is when it comes to making your present operations more practical and profitable. It is not easy or convenient to get a continuing education course to fit your schedule or specific needs. Even if your an agriculture major you probably didn't get it all, and then there's 'what's new.' There is an educational institution devoted exclusively to providing the sound economic management training that is relevant to today's competitive and economically sensitive ranching climate. 
The Graham School for Cattlemen was started in 1909 and has graduated over 40,000 students. Many have returned for refresher courses or updates. Students come from all over the world for the one week, "Hands-on" training in actual on-the-ranch conditions. Students from around the globe have learned and perfected their management skills. The students represent a broad cross-section of the cattle industry ranging from licensed veterinarians, seedstock producers, commercial producers and feedlot employees. The atmosphere and dress is relaxed and casual, kind of like the ranch supply store.According to Frank Graham whether a student is new to the cattle business or a seasoned professional, the school will perfect their management skills in artificial insemination, pregnancy testing, calf delivery, fertility testing, nutritional and herd health, just to name some of the subjects covered in the classes. One of the most expensive investments in the cattle industry is an open female. Pregnancy testing is taught in four phases throughout the school: (1) reproductive anatomy, (2) locating reproductive organs on live animals, (3) determining stages of pregnancy and (4) live animal evaluation. Each phase of diagnosing pregnancy is conducted under the guidance of their experienced instructors. Cattlemen that have the ability to pregnancy check females on the ranch have an immediate economic advantage and can make culling decisions when necessary. "Artificial insemination is possibly the most valuable breeding tool available to today's cattleman. Seedstock producers have been able to make dramatic genetic improvements through the use of A.I. Students receive nutritional instruction for cycling of cows, proper time of insemination, handling of semen from frozen to thawing, and proper placement in the reproductive tract for the highest conception rate," says Graham. "Under the guidance of Graham School's instructors, the students become fully trained in A.I. techniques, and are capable of diagnosing, treating and breeding livestock with complete confidence," he explained. 
When you get the number of open females down to a minimum then avoiding unnecessary calf losses at birth becomes one of the most important aspects of a successfully managed cattle operation, according to Graham. Students are taught to deal with most delivery complications including abnormal presentations, dry birth, twisted uterus, inverted uterus, closed cervix and stillbirths. One of the goals is to teach students to be in the right place at the right time, with the right skills to drastically reduce the incidence of calf loss.The underlying goal throughout the week long session is practicality, information and training that can be put to use. The herd management portion consists of up-to-date material on prevention and general herd management, presented in an easy-to-understand format based on common sense and experience. The instructors who teach the herd management course are seasoned professionals with many years experience in managing herds of all sizes and under all conditions. After completing the intensive one week course the students are entitled to a lifetime membership which guarantees they can return at any time to repeat as a refresher for one day or for the complete course without additional fees. There's also a special feature that allows married couples to both attend class together at a discount. For more information, contact Graham School, Inc. at 800-552-3538. |
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