Cow Kicking Spawns New Education Program

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — 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.  Its first phase focuses on animal care, milking, calf raising and feeding dairy animals Last January, a former employee at Bettencourt Dairies' Dry Creek Dairy in Hansen pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal abuse after the video shot by an animal rights group showed workers stomping, dragging and beating cows.  Bettencourt Dairies is among Idaho's largest, with 60,000 cows. Terry Patterson, College of Southern Idaho instructional dean, says he's excited about to chance to provide training to current and future dairy employees.