EVALUATION OF TRAINING IN CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION NEEDS OF VETERINARY TECHNICIANS IN BOJONEGORO REGENCY

This study evaluated community service activities for veterinary technicians in Bojonegoro Regency, assessing participant characteristics, training impact, patterns of cattle reproductive disorders, treatment obstacles, and continuing education needs. Demographic analysis showed varied age and education levels among participants (mean age range ~37–52 years), with baseline knowledge and field experience scores averaging around 4.3–4.5. Pre- and post-test assessments demonstrated measurable learning gains, with normalized gain (N-Gain) scores differing by gender and education: males (76.7%±22.6) versus females (50.0%±50.0), and veterinarians (73.5%±38.7) versus D3/SMA/SMK group (63.3%±20.5). Field surveillance by technicians identified repeat breeding as the most frequent reproductive issue (43.5% of cases), followed by silent heat (13.0%), dystocia and endometritis (each 10.9%). Reported barriers to effective treatment included weaknesses in cattle management (25.7%), limited medication/equipment (22.9%), farmer errors in estrus detection (17.1%), nutritional deficiencies (14.3%), and delayed reporting (14.3%). Prioritized continuing education needs emphasized ultrasonography (USG) training (31.3%), cattle feed management (15.6%), reproductive disorder treatment (15.6%), and hormone use updates (12.5%). Findings suggest that targeted, practical, and sustained training, particularly in USG, nutrition, estrus detection, and rational medication/hormone use, combined with improved access to equipment and farmer outreach, could address predominant reproductive problems and enhance technician performance. Recommendations include implementing competency-based workshops, strengthening supply chains, and instituting follow-up monitoring to gauge long-term impact on herd reproductive outcomes.