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
Spring Cow-Calf Workshop
Date & Time: March 18, 2026, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location:
Soldiers Grove Community Center
102 Passive Sun Drive,
Soldiers Grove, WI 54655
UW–Madison Division of Extension will host a spring cow–calf workshop on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00 PM, offering beef producers timely guidance as they prepare for the spring and summer season. The program is designed for cow–calf operators seeking to strengthen herd health, improve management practices, and increase profitability.
Topics include:
- Pasture Management
- Fly Control
- Record Keeping
- Weed Control
This event is free! Please RSVP to Crawford County Extension Office by March 17: 608-326-0223
Lambing School
Date: March 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Four Winds Farm
5735 Adams Road
Fitchburg, WI 53575
Fee: $45
Phone: 608‑835‑5834
Registration Required
Four Winds Farm will host a full‑day Sheep Lambing Workshop on March 28 in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This immersive, hands‑on learning experience is designed for both new and experienced shepherds seeking to improve their lambing knowledge, confidence, and on‑farm success.
Beef Roundup Webinar Series
Date: March 19, 2026
Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm CST
Location: Online
Cost: Free!
Registration Required
Beef producers are invited to attend a series of free educational webinars this winter. The Beef Roundup Webinar Series will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension featuring Extension specialists and industry experts from across the country covering timely topics relevant to today’s beef producers.
March 19th is the final installment of the webinar series. The topic is Key Considerations for Rebuilding Your Cow Herd with Dr. Randie Culbertson, Iowa State, Extension Cow-calf Specialist.
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
- 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.
- Learn about calving, cow nutrition, colostrum management, and more.
- DATCP released an official special order on March 13, 2026 aimed at protecting domestic birds from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
- The WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and UW-Madison Division of Extension have teamed up to provide Holding the Line premises biosecurity mapping workshops around the state to help livestock producers and veterinarians draft maps for their livestock operations.
- Sessions are free and held via Zoom at 7:30 PM Central Time, with advance registration required.
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.