Workshop details weaning, stocker cattle processing

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - September 1, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. – The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division will host a Weaning and Stocker Cattle Processing Workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Noble Foundation Oswalt Road Ranch in Marietta, Okla.

There are about 2.8 million head of cattle in southern Oklahoma and North Texas, making this sector the predominant agricultural enterprise in the region. A cornerstone of the Weaning and Stocker Cattle Processing Workshop will be a session on low stress cattle handling techniques.

"The Noble Foundation is fortunate to have stockman Kent Shankles overseeing the cattle on our seven research and demonstration farms," said Robert Wells, Noble Foundation livestock consultant. "Shankles has more than 30 years of professional experience working cattle. He will conduct the low stress cattle handling breakout session, demonstrating proper cattle handling techniques to more safely and effectively process and move cattle."

The workshop will also include sessions on the weaning of calves, stocker cattle processing, cow herd winterizing and cattle marketing. The breakout session on weaning is a hands-on event, demonstrating the best methods to administer vaccines and properly perform other animal husbandry processes associated with the weaning of calves. A stocker cattle breakout session will discuss receiving programs for effective herd health. Other segments of the workshop will address cow nutrition and herd health as well as marketing.

There is no registration fee for this workshop, but preregistration is requested. For additional information or to register, contact Tracy Cumbie by calling 580.224.6411 or e-mailing tlcumbie@noble.org. To register online, visit www.noble.org/agevents.

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.