5 minute read
Special Delivery
A Kansas State Fair tradition continues to bring awe-inspiring education to the public.
Story by Sarah Keatley. Photos by Joe Montgomery.
The building is full of eager anticipation: children sitting on the floor with their heads peeking through the bars of the gates, parents standing above them, with their phones out, ready to capture the moment. The adults stand eight people deep, similarly, hoping to witness the miracle of life. With her contraction, the cow gives one last push, the baby calf falls to the ground, and the entire building erupts in applause and cheering as if their team had just won a championship. For some, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; for others, this is just another day at the Kansas State Fair Birthing Center.
Advocates and students
Drs. Leslie and Bryan Weaver oversee the management, breeding and organization of the Birthing Center. Just finishing their third year, the couple enjoys planning the 10day long event.
“As veterinarians, we are uniquely suited to bridge the gap between urban and agriculture communities, and it is my passion to help the urban communities understand the agriculture community better,” she says.
Each day during the state fair, faculty, staff and students leave Manhattan at 6:30 a.m. and drive to Hutchinson to answer questions, assist with births and educate the public visiting the building. This group relieves the house officers and other fourth-year students who worked throughout the night monitoring the animals.
Katie Stenger, class of 2024, spent a day at the Birthing Center volunteering and educating the public about livestock production and animal husbandry. As she walks through the building, some fairgoers share that prior family generations had agriculture or farm experiences. She notices that the younger generations are missing these opportunities.
“That is why it is so important that we help people from all walks of life see where their food comes from and the husbandry associated with the animals,” Katie says.
One of the highlights of her day was helping the kids palpate Bessie, the bovine dystocia simulator. “Their whole face lights up when they feel the calf!” Katie says. She answers questions from the public about the birthing process, animal husbandry and the most popular one, “What time will the next birth be?”
While the Birthing Center serves as an opportunity to educate attendees about the importance of agriculture, animal husbandry and animal welfare, it also allows students to apply their knowledge in a practical setting.
“The biggest benefit for the students to be here is to practice communication and public relations,” says Dr. Adam Bassett, clinical assistant professor in equine theriogenology and field service. “They can talk to people, explain what is happening, and why we are doing what we do.”
Along with Katie, fourth-year student Alex Rivas enjoys sharing knowledge of veterinary medicine with different generations, answering questions and adapting the message and answers to questions based on the age of the person asking.
Live births are broadcast via social media when possible. Viewers tuned in to watch calves, piglets, and lambs be born throughout the week. In 2023, five lambs, 11 calves and 45 piglets were born in ten days. While many viewers tuned in to watch the live birth, one viewer, who lives several states away, tuned in to see her daughter, Margo Wottowa, class of 2024, fix a dystocia while explaining to onlookers what she was doing. The excitement of a fourth-year veterinary student after a successful birth is almost as heartwarming as seeing the babies themselves.
Partners in tradition
Bryan Schulz, General Manager for the Kansas State Fair says, “We are so blessed to have such a great partnership with Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Their team of experts ensure that any potential issues that might arise, are taken care of in a professional manner.”
It takes more than a village to make the Birthing Center run. In addition to those who drive from Manhattan each day, the building is staffed with K-State veterinary alumni, Wichita State University veterinary technician students and FFA students throughout the 10 days, working the day, evening, overnight, and early morning hours.
“This is so much more than the College of Veterinary Medicine,” Dr. Leslie Weaver says. “This is the agriculture community, and it would not happen without the support from everyone.”
In 2023, animals came from across the state of Kansas; cattle were provided by the Orville Miller Family Dairy,
Hutchinson, and the Perry Beachy Dairy, Hutchinson; lambs were provided by Elder Livestock, Westmoreland; and the Kansas State University Swine Unit, Manhattan, provided swine. The College of Veterinary Medicine also works closely with Prairie Vista Veterinary Hospital, Hutchinson, the veterinarians for the dairy cattle who come in and out during the week. Dr. Dayul Dick, DVM class of 1987, and Dr. Patrick Schmitz, DVM class of 2020, are on call throughout the week to assist with any emergencies that may arise. Prairie Vista Veterinary Hospital’s relationship with the local dairies has enabled the Birthing Center to provide dairy cattle since 1994 during the Kansas State Fair.
