Prepare for 2025 with livestock workshops

By Andi Anderson

Ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of livestock is a key responsibility for producers and caregivers. Having certified staff enhances operations by fostering shared knowledge and meaningful collaboration.

In Illinois, livestock manager training certification is often necessary for production facilities, particularly larger operations. To meet this need, the University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Department of Agriculture will launch the 2025 Certified Livestock Manager Training (CLMT) workshops on February 4. These workshops are designed to meet the requirements of the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act.

Seven workshops will be held across Illinois in February, with pre-registration required. Full details and registration are available at go.illinois.edu/CLMT. Class sizes at certain locations are limited due to space.

Workshop Schedule

• Feb. 4: Effingham County Farm Bureau, Effingham
• Feb. 5: University of Illinois Extension Clinton County Office, Breese
• Feb. 6: University of Illinois Extension Pike County Office, Pittsfield
• Feb. 10: University of Illinois Extension Warren County Office, Monmouth
• Feb. 11: Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center, Springfield
• Feb. 18: Stephenson County Farm Bureau, Freeport
• Feb. 19: University of Illinois Extension DeKalb County Office, Sycamore

Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and training begins at 9 a.m., lasting approximately 3.5 hours. The Illinois Extension training fee is $40, with an additional $30 certification fee.

Training Content

Topics include livestock waste management, facility operations, and regulatory updates. The training manual, Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum, is available online for reference.

Certification Requirements

Facilities with 300 or more animal units must meet specific certification criteria. Operations with 1,000+ animal units require certified managers to attend a workshop or complete online training and pass a test. The 2025 test will consist of 50 questions, with a passing score set at 70%.

Online training is available year-round and includes flexible video modules. Tests can also be completed online.

For further information or accommodations, contact Extension Educator Stanley Solomon at jssolomo@illinois.edu or 815-235-4125. Check for updates and register online at go.illinois.edu/CLMT.

Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic