The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the University of Illinois Extension will offer Certified Livestock Manager Training (CLMT) for 2024 as per a press release. This program, which comprises eight in-person workshops and an online alternative, intends to equip Illinois livestock producers with critical manure management skills, fulfilling the requisites of the state's Livestock Management Facilities Act.
The CLMT program aims to foster best management practices and environmentally responsible decision-making. Jerry Costello II, IDOA Director, lauded the partnership, emphasizing that the program offers "tools, education, and training for" enhanced livestock management. He also appreciated the incorporation of bilingual materials to accommodate non-native English speakers on the farms.
Beginning on December 1, participants should register for the in-person training via the official website. Priced at $70, the training is scheduled to kick-off from the Bank of Springfield Center on January 30, concluding at the Pike County Farm Bureau's building on February 8, 2024. With a duration of 3.5 hours, workshops use the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum for guidance.
The online offering of the CLMT program includes nine learning modules, each featuring an attached instructional video spanning 10–20 minutes to watch and review individually. It's available on Moodle, accessible via the CLMT webpage, providing additional three-month enrichment content access too.
The Livestock Management Facilities Act of 1997 mandates that livestock facilities housing 300 or more animals must employ an individual trained in manure handling. For cattle rearing establishments with 300–999 units, the employee either must successfully complete the CLMT online training or workshop or pass the IDOA's Certified Livestock Manager's online examination. However, for facilities with 1,000 or more animal units, the employee should not only complete the training but also successfully pass the online exam.
The CLMT exams for 2024 will include 50 questions, necessitating a 70% passing score for certification. Available in English and Spanish, the exams can be taken by participants in both formats. Producers with over 1,000 animal units can take the online exam. Producers under this threshold are required to take the lessons, with multiple attempts permitted at the online exam.
Reach out to the University of Illinois Extension at (815) 235-4125 or email Stanley Solomon at [email protected] for any queries regarding the Certified Livestock Manager Training program.
