05 Mar Ladies Calving Clinic Goes Back To Basics After 10 Years
By: Jesse Williams, Agricultural Fieldman, Special Area No.2
On February 27, 2025 the Rumsey Community Hall welcomed 147 female cattle producers to the Tri-County Ladies Calving Clinic hosted by Starland County, Stettler County and Special Area No. 2 Agricultural Services Departments. This unique female-led learning opportunity is not new to the rancHers of east-central Alberta as this is the 5th official rendition between the three municipalities since 2015.
The goal of this event has always been to build a community of educated and connected farm women, with the courage and capabilities to build their operations effectively. The Ag Field(wo)men that organize the event have attributed its popularity over the years to its stress-free learning environment, the valuable networking between supportive cattlewomen and the always fun “ladies night out” atmosphere. In the past. there have been branding recipe exchanges, coffee bars, shopping and this year Drum Distillery offered a western themed mocktail bar for the women to enjoy. The word must be out on how much fun is had, because women from 16 Alberta municipalities (and Saskatchewan!) showed up at Rumsey this year to share in the learning.
For the 2025 Clinic organizers went “Back to Basics” with their agenda, welcoming back the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine program that helped make the very first event back in 2015 a success. Along with the seven UCVM staff/students, they generously brought two calving simulators, calf dummies and a myriad of demonstration specimens from hide layers for vaccinating, to hoof, head and rumen cross sections! Each of the participants got to try their hand at identifying a malpresentation within the cow simulator and demonstrate how to effectively apply calving chains for difficult births.
Local veterinarian Dr. Molly Rainforth of Maverick Vet Services gave an engaging presentation on the challenges she sees within our area, including mis-diagnosis of foot rot. Dr. Tamara Quaschnick, now with Zoetis, also joined the ladies to discuss the importance of proper vaccine storage and handling. Dr. Quaschnick was one of the original veterinarians that helped bring the first Ladies Calving Clinic to Hanna in 2015 with Dr. Claire Windeyer of the UCVM, so it was very special to have these inspiring professionals “bring us back to the basics” 10 years later!
New to the event this year was an opportunity for young women interested in rural large animal veterinary careers to participate in a Youth-Vet Mentorship hour prior to the event. The Agricultural Fieldmen have been observing a large disconnect between our rural youth returning to the area and the increasing need for rural veterinarians, which spurred the organizers to collaborate with their local 4-H clubs and school divisions to sponsor 5 girls from each municipality to attend. There was great understanding gained into the day-to-day life of rural vets, the varying career opportunities and tips & tricks from current UCVM students. Dr. Rob McCorkell, Associate Dean, Admissions and Outreach at UCVM shared valuable insight with the young ladies about the admissions process and the multi, mini interview (MMI) process. The organizing municipalities hope to build on the success of this mentorship and networking opportunity at future events.
The success of the event would simply not have been possible without the phenomenal outpouring of local support. More than 35 sponsors donated funds, door prizes, ticket sponsorship or swag bag items for each of our attendees. The UCVM and local veterinarians graciously donated their resources, time and expertise. The municipalities would like to extend the largest heart-felt appreciation to each of the attendees, sponsors and volunteers that made this event possible.
Since 2015, the Special Area No. 2 Agricultural Services Department has delivered eight ladies cattle events in collaboration with Starland County, Stettler County and Chinook Applied Research Association to 765 female producers. They look forward to partnering on the next event in early 2027 in the Hanna area.
