10-9 IAN Bob's Cow School

An Idaho statesman article reported that "Following an undercover video showing Idaho dairy workers mistreating cows, state schools are teaming up with the industry to offer classes on how to handle animals. The University of Idaho Extension, along with the College of Southern Idaho, will be offering the program beginning in October following pilot testing. I talked to Bob Naerebout Executive Director of the Idaho Dairymens Association: "The release of those Bettencort videos shocked everyone so what is the intent behind training? Is it to prevent incidents like that? I think, Dave, what people have to realize, and what the press release failed to say was that we had training programs going on before the release of the videos about a year ago. So the purpose is twofold. One is to make sure that the employees on our dairies have an opportunity to further their education of working in the dairy industry by more training, they will be certified by participating in the training, the second is obviously to address issues that we think our employees need to focus on. I think our first level of courses was on proper milking techniques. The animal care guidance that we will be doing will be an additional level and we expect there will be five or six levels for the employees to participate in. It is not only for current employees, it is also for others who would be interested in developing a training on working in dairy operations. We see an advantage for members of the refugee community and we have a huge refugee community in the state of Idaho.