Bulls, broncs and other bovine: Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock training, rodeo stock edition
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EmailMichigan State University Extension is offering an Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) training revolving around rodeo stock.
Responding to accidents is never an easy task. Responding to an accident that involves large trucks, people and animals can quickly turn into a chaotic event if the local response team is not prepared or trained to handle such an occurrence. Michigan State University-Extension along with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recognized the need to have a network of trained people across the state to respond to these situations. To help local law enforcement, fire crews, ambulances, veterinarians and other officials prepare for accidents involving livestock and livestock trailers, Michigan State University Extension is coordinating specialized hands-on training for livestock accident responders.
Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) training focuses on managing the scene of an accident, organizing volunteers, and working to ensure public safety and animal welfare. Participants in the program learn about extricating trapped animals from trailers, managing an accident scene, chain of command, safe handling of large animals, and humane euthanasia techniques for severely injured animals as well as mortality management.
Full day ERAIL training special event: Rodeo stock edition
Throughout the year and especially during county fair season, a unique set of animal athletes are transported across the country to perform at rodeos. If you are a first responder, imagine responding to an accident involving a trailer load of 2,000-pound bulls, each complete with a set of horns. Yikes! This experience could be downright intimidating for many.
For the first time in the history of the ERAIL program, the Michigan State University Extension ERAIL team is teaming up with SouthPoint Ranch to offer a hands-on training opportunity for participants to learn more about rodeo stock. This training is an ERAIL special event opportunity to interact with bucking bulls and horses, roping steers and calves. The program will consist of both in-class training and hands-on animal handling.
When: May 12, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: SouthPoint Ranch, 6107 Cox Rd, Bellevue, MI 49021
Cost: $75 per person or $60 per person for groups of two or more, includes lunch
Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
Register for the ERAIL Training - Rodeo Stock Edition
Captive bolt device euthanasia training
In addition to the full day ERAIL rodeo stock training on May 12, supplemental training will be offered the evening of May 11. The captive bolt device euthanasia training is designed to teach first responders how to perform humane livestock euthanasia with a captive bolt device. Workshop topics include identifying compromised animals, animal anatomy and target location, rules of animal ownership, animal restraint and animal safety.
When: May 11, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: SouthPoint Ranch, 6107 Cox Rd, Bellevue, MI 49021
Cost: $25 per person
Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
Register for the Captive Bolt Device Humane Euthanasia Training
Questions about these respective training courses can be directed to Tom Guthrie at 517-788-4292 or guthri19@msu.edu; Katie Ockert at ockertka@msu.edu; or Megghan Honke Seidel at 517-884-7089 or honkemeg@msu.edu.
