Expanding the Reach of MSU Extension: Cattle-Focused Program in Chile

By Paola Bacigalupo Sanguesa

The Michigan State University Global Scholars Program, part of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources International Programs Office, supports MSU faculty and MSU Extension members with seed funding and travel support. Global scholars at Michigan State University Extension align international programming with the broader MSU Extension mission: improving the lives of communities through educational opportunities. Paola Bacigalupo Sanguesa was selected to be a Global Scholars in 2021. Paola is from Chile, so she leveraged her experience, her knowledge of the industry’s needs and her network for her project. Chile has a small but progressive dairy and beef industry, with farmers and professionals who are continuously striving to learn and improve.

In March 2024, Paola worked together with local professors and researchers to deliver a full day of continuing education for cattle veterinarians and industry professionals in Chile. The workshop was offered in two locations over 570 miles apart: Santiago and Osorno. The workshop focused on addressing efficiencies in the milking parlor and on humane euthanasia of cattle, following the objectives of improving production efficiencies and animal wellbeing. In addition to having a class-style session, the workshop included a hands-on activity where participants learned to use a captive bolt device to perform cattle euthanasia.

A total of 84 participants from various geographical areas participated in the workshop. Most of them were bovine practitioners, but there were also veterinary medicine students, dairy producers and employees, academics and other industry professionals.

After completing the training, participants were asked to complete a survey. The results (n=56) showed that:

• 98% of the participants reported an increase in their knowledge of parlor efficiencies and humane euthanasia of cattle.
• 97% reported an improvement in their safety and confidence when performing a euthanasia procedure.
• 60% reported the intention to implement changes on their own farm or at their clients' farms as a result of what they learned during the workshops.

Comments shared by the participants highlighted the importance of having this type of continuing education opportunity and engaging in conversations on critical topics. Participants also shared the potential positive impacts such training would have on the farmers and animals.

The program started an important discussion on cattle wellbeing that continues to have an impact. As a result of the program, a veterinary medicine practitioner and professor at the main veterinary school has taken particular interest in continuing to develop education in humane euthanasia of cattle. He developed his own prototype for teaching and recently hosted training at the National Association of Bovine Practitioners, where more than 30 veterinarians learned about humane euthanasia. He is currently developing a class where vet students will deepen their knowledge on this topic. He hopes to start teaching it in the next academic year.

This project was carried out thanks to the financial support of the Global Scholar program, MSU Extension and several local private companies involved with the dairy and beef industry.