MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Beef and dairy producers can save on time and travel costs as they learn the latest recommendations in cattle reproduction during a short course available through distance learning in January.

Mississippi State University's Extension Service and College of Veterinary Medicine are sponsoring the day-and-a-half-long course beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 11 and concluding at noon the next day.

The short course will be broadcast over interactive video from MSU to distance education sites throughout Mississippi. Distance education sites will be located at the Bost Extension Center at MSU, the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond, the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona, and Extension offices in Forrest, Tate, Pike and Newton counties.

Topics will include reproductive diseases, calving management, estrous cycle, estrus synchronization, heat detection, artificial insemination, heifer development, bull fertility and management, fall versus spring calving and developing a controlled breeding season.

Participants will be assessed a fee of $5, and the registration deadline is Jan. 4. Contact MSU's Animal and Dairy Science Department at (662) 325-3516 or local Extension offices for registration forms and more information. Forms and short course information also are available in the beef section of Extension.msstate.edu.