MSU global scholars boosts Chiles dairy and beef industry

By Andi Anderson

The Michigan State University (MSU) Global Scholars Program, part of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources International Programs, provides MSU faculty and MSU Extension members with initial funding and travel support.

This program encourages global outreach that aligns with the MSU Extension mission: enhancing communities through educational programs. In 2021, Paola Bacigalupo Sanguesa from Chile joined as a Global Scholar, bringing her background and industry connections to support her project in Chile’s dairy and beef sectors, which are steadily advancing and eager for improvement.

In March 2024, Paola collaborated with local experts in Chile to host a full-day workshop for cattle veterinarians and professionals. Held in two locations, Santiago and Osorno—spanning over 570 miles the workshop aimed to enhance milking parlor efficiencies and promote humane euthanasia practices, focusing on increasing productivity and animal welfare.

The event combined traditional learning with hands-on training, allowing participants to practice using a captive bolt device for humane cattle euthanasia.

Workshop Highlights and Results

Participants: 84 attendees, including veterinarians, veterinary students, dairy farmers, academics, and industry professionals from various regions.

Learning Outcomes: A survey (n=56) conducted post-training revealed:

• 98% increased their knowledge of parlor efficiencies and humane euthanasia practices.
• 97% felt more confident and safer performing euthanasia procedures.
• 60% intended to apply the new knowledge on their own farms or on clients' farms.

Participant Feedback

Participants praised the workshop for fostering discussions on essential industry topics and underscored the positive effects of such training on farms and animal welfare.

Lasting Impact

The project sparked ongoing interest in humane euthanasia practices. A local veterinarian and professor developed a prototype for training, which he shared at a National Association of Bovine Practitioners event, reaching over 30 veterinarians.

He is now working to integrate this topic into a specialized class for veterinary students, aiming to launch it in the next academic year.

This initiative was supported by the MSU Global Scholars Program, MSU Extension, and local private companies in the dairy and beef industry. For more details, visit MSU Extension.

Photo Credit: msu