Livestock
Livestock
The Extension Livestock Program provides timely resources and information to help farmers, consumers and allied industry to make informed decisions about beef cattle, poultry, sheep and goats, equine, swine, and meat science using research-based information. There are also resources for youth caring for livestock.
Livestock Educators work to:
- Collaborate with producers to identify needs and deliver research-based solutions to help them meet their goals
- Develop/maintain specific expertise related to livestock production/management
- Build trust-based relationships with various stakeholder groups
We work with:
- Partner agencies
- Campus departments
- Species-specific organizations
Upcoming Events
Summer Cow-Calf Workshop
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Location:
Vernon County Sheriff’s Office Training Room
1320 Bad Axe Court
Viroqua, WI 54665
Join UW-Madison Extension for a cow–calf workshop on Thursday, July 23 at the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office Training Room, 1320 Bad Axe Court, Viroqua, WI 54665 beginning at 6:00 PM, offering beef producers timely guidance as they move through the summer season. This workshop will discuss best management practices across four topics:
- Handling facilities
- Pregnancy checking
- Strategies for making culling decisions
- Effective weed control
A meal will be graciously provided by Western Wisconsin Beef Producers. There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested by July 17 to ensure adequate materials and accommodations. To register, please contact the Vernon County Extension Office at (608) 637-5276.
Recent News & Articles
Shearing Day Preparation and 2026 Sheep Shearers Directory
As professional shearers become fewer and schedules fill quickly, Wisconsin producers are encouraged to reach out several weeks to a couple of months ahead of their intended shearing date to ensure the shearer can fit the flock into the route and that the schedule works for both parties.
Asian Longhorned Tick Video
Dr. Cassandra Olds, Kansas State Entomologist shares information about the Asian Longhorned Tick and Theileriosis, their potential impact on cattle in Wisconsin, prevention and treatment options, what Wisconsin beef producers can do now, and what to expect next.
Livestock Risk Protection
Feeder calf and fed cattle prices are currently high, and so are the input costs to raise them. Beef producers are taking on a lot of risk. To help mitigate that price risk, beef producers can look at using Livestock Risk Protection Insurance (LRP) to protect against unforeseen price drops.
Visit the Livestock Topic Hub for more information.
Latest News in Livestock
- Free UW Beef Cow-Calf Workshop: July 28, 6 PM in Cadott, WI. Improve herd profits and pasture management. Register by July 23.
- UW Cattle Feeders Field Day: Aug 4, 5:45 PM, Menomonie, WI. Topics: feed management, facility design, handling. Register by July 31.
- Spring 2026 cattle feeder projections outline expected costs, sale prices, and margins using regional averages; producers should apply their own data for accurate decisions.
- A tick species new to the U.S. is spreading fast — and Wisconsin livestock producers need to know about it. The Asian longhorned tick has already been found in Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa. One female can lay up to 3,000 eggs, and thousands of ticks can feed on a single animal at once. Learn what […]
- This workshop and its two hands-on sessions focus on managing the health and production risks posed by intestinal parasites (helminths) to flocks and herds.
Staff
If you have any questions regarding Livestock in Vernon County, please contact:
Regional Livestock Educator, Beth McIlquham
Serving Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, and Vernon Counties
Contact: 608-632-0599
Email: beth.mcilquham@wisc.edu
Beth McIlquham serves as Regional Livestock Educator to Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, and Vernon Counties. She works with livestock/dairy producers and agribusiness professionals to solve production challenges and incorporate new research findings into outreach/educational materials to improve production, profitability, and efficiency.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with an emphasis on meat animals. Previously, she worked for Extension as educational support for Pierce County’s 4-H program, as well as with the Humane Handling Institute. At Pierce County, she built valuable relationships with families and volunteers in addition to executing various programs. Within the Humane Handling Institute, she assisted in putting on workshops for slaughterhouse employees. There, she had the opportunity to learn about humane handling techniques within cattle, swine, goats, and sheep, as well as the importance of captive bolt maintenance.
Beth’s main focus is on beef cattle production. She is grateful to be a part of the team in Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, and Vernon counties and looks forward to meeting livestock industry players in the area.