Beef producers will have two opportunities in December to learn how to prepare their herd for calving and assess difficult births.

The NDSU Extension Service's "Preparin' for Calvin' in 2012" short courses also will educate producers on what they can do to assist cows having trouble giving birth and when to get veterinary help.

The short courses are scheduled for Dec. 13 at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Carson, N.D., and Dec. 14 at Napoleon Livestock in Napoleon, N.D. Both courses will start at 9:30 a.m. local time and end with a question-and-answer session at 2:45 p.m.

The cost is $30 per person or $50 for two people from the same operation if paid by Dec. 2. The cost is $40 per person or $70 for two people from the same organization if paid after that date. The fee includes lunch, breaks and program materials.

Speakers for the short courses are an NDSU Extension beef cattle specialist, Extension agents and other calving experts.

The NDSU Extension offices in Emmons, Grant, Logan, Morton and Sioux Counties are sponsoring the short courses.

To register online, go to www.ndsu.edu/cattledocs. For more information, contact Grant/Sioux County Extension agent Jorey Dahners at 701-622-3470 or jorey.dahners@ndsu.edu or Logan County Extension agent Sheldon Gerhardt at 701- 754-2504 or sheldon.gerhardt@ndsu.edu.