URBANA, Ill. — Depending on an operation’s size, livestock manager training certification is required for many Illinois production livestock facilities. Having certified individuals on staff strengthens an operation through shared knowledge and building conversations with individuals responsible for livestock care.

University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Department of Agriculture will kick off the 2024 Certified Livestock Manager Training Workshop schedule on January 30. Seven locations around the state will host training workshops that meet the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities Act training requirements for Illinois livestock managers.

Pre-registration is required to attend an in-person workshop. For complete program details and to register, visit go.illinois.edu/CLMT. Class size is limited in some locations due to space constraints.

The 2024 workshop dates and locations include:

• Jan. 30, Springfield
  Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield
• Jan. 31, Monmouth
  University of Illinois Extension Warren County Office, Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau Bldg., 1000 N Main St., Monmouth
• Feb. 1, Morris
  University of Illinois Extension Grundy County Office, Kendall- Grundy County Farm Bureau Bldg., 4000 N. Division St., Morris
• Feb. 2, Freeport
  Stephenson County Farm Bureau Bldg., 210 W. Spring St., Freeport
• Feb. 6, Effingham
  University of Illinois Extension Effingham County Office, 1209 North Wenthe Dr., Effingham
• Feb. 7, Breese
  University of Illinois Extension Clinton County Office, 1163 North 4th St., Breese
• Feb. 8, Pittsfield
  University of Illinois Extension Pike County Office, Pike County Farm Bureau Bldg., 1301 E Washington, Pittsfield

Each workshop location will open at 8:30 a.m., and training will begin at 9 a.m. The training lasts 3.5 hours, and IDOA staff will administer the exam after the training. The Illinois Extension training fee is $40, and IDOA’s certification fee is $30.

A range of topics related to the operation, management, and utilization of livestock waste and waste facilities will be covered. Additionally, the latest regulations, best management practices, and research for manure-related issues will be discussed. The training manual used will be the “Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum.” It is available at go.illinois.edu/manual.

The LMFA requires facilities designed for 300 or more animal units to have at least one employee certified in environmentally aware manure management techniques. Facilities designed for 301 to 999 animal units must have at least one employee attend a workshop OR complete the online training. Facilities with more than 1,000 animal units must have a certified livestock manager attend a workshop and pass the IDOA exam OR complete the online training and pass the online test.

For the 2024 season, there will be 50 questions on both paper-based and online tests. The pass rate is 70% or 35 of 50 questions. A Spanish version of the test is now available upon request. Young family members under 18 are welcome to take the training, but they cannot be the only certified managers at the facilities.

Cannot attend a workshop? Online training and testing are available year-round and follow the same format as the in-person workshops. Online training involves nine modules of 10- to 20-minute videos that can be viewed at an individual’s own pace. Those who have more than 1,000 animal units may take the test online.

All participants must register and check for weather-related updates at go.illinois.edu/CLMT. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in or have questions about the CLMT program, please contact University of Illinois Extension Educator Stanley Solomon at jssolomo@illinois.edu or by phone at 815-235-4125.

SOURCE: Stanley (Jay) Solomon, natural resources, environment, and energy educator, Illinois Extension

WRITERS: Stanley (Jay) Solomon, natural resources, environment, and energy educator, Illinois Extension; Jenna Braasch, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension