Cow Camp 2026
Two Locations. One Purpose. Empowering Women in the Cattle Industry.
Get ready for Cow Camp 2026—an experience built for women who want to live and lead in the cattle industry.
Eastern Cow Camp
May 5–6, 2026
K-State Southeast Research-Extension Center
25092 Ness Rd., Parsons, KS 67357
Western Cow Camp
September 9–10, 2026
K-State Western Kansas Research-Extension Center
Agricultural Research Center–Hays
1232 240th Ave., Hays, KS 67601
About Cow Camp
At Cow Camp, we’re here to help you grow—whether you’re managing your first small herd, helping with the family operation, or exploring the cattle business from the ground up.
This hands-on program focuses on building practical skills, confidence, and connections for women looking to strengthen their knowledge of beef cattle management.
We provide a supportive, no-pressure environment where every question is welcome and learning is the goal.
Who Should Attend:
- New to the cattle business or want to improve foundational skills
- Actively involved but want to understand management decisions better
- Looking to gain confidence in hands-on cattle skills and herd management
What You’ll Gain:
- Practical, real-world knowledge to apply immediately
- Confidence to take a more active role in your cattle operation
- New friendships and a strong network of women who share your goals
Registration
Cow Camp is limited to 35 participants, and spots will fill fast!
Eastern Cow Camp Topics
The program will start at 9:00 am May 5th and will finish by noon on May 6th
- Nutrition for cow-calf herds: Learn how to sample and test your feedstuffs and apply that information for whole herd success. Learn how to identify the gaps between what your feedstuffs provide and the animal requirements at a given stage of production and how to make up any difference.
- Determining stocking rates: Learn how to estimate the amount of forage available for grazing and translate that into how many animals can graze for a given length of time.
- Effective use of expected progeny differences (EPD): Learn to identify the right selection tool for different production goals, how to avoid the more is always better trap, and apply this knowledge in various selection scenarios.
- Cattle handling: Learn about low-stress animal handling in pastures and working facilities to improve your technique and help you communicate these skills to others working with you. Learn how to safely manage cattle movement.
- Whole herd health systems: Learn how to build a partnership for good herd health with your veterinarian to proactively minimize illness and treatments yet have plans in place for the most common issues that do arise.
- Hands-on activities: Activities planned include tail bleeding for early pregnancy diagnosis, freeze-branding, ear tags and ear tagging, how to insert growth-promoting implants, injecting vaccines and other pharmaceuticals, and body condition scoring cows
- Vaccine Gun Cooler: Learn the importance of proper vaccine handling and make your own vaccine cooler for your operation.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Quality Inn What should I bring? Do I need prior cattle experience? Not at all! Cow Camp is designed for strengthening basic skills, mostall experience levels can benefit. Whether you’re just starting out or have years in the industry, you’ll leave with new skills and ideas. Is this event women-only?
Yes. Cow Camp was created to foster a supportive, empowering environment for women in agriculture.