The event is set for Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Ardmore Convention Center and is co-hosted by the Noble Foundation and Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension.

"We have excellent speakers with a great deal of knowledge and expertise," said Shan Ingram, the Noble Foundation's education and special projects manager. "When the dust settles, I think people will be really glad they came!"

Topics and speakers are: "Thoughts About the Beef Industry – Past, Present & Future," Troy Marshall, The Seedstock Digest; "The Threat of Terrorism to the Food Supply & Agriculture," Floyd P. Horn, Ph.D., USDA-ARS administrator, retired; "Practical Animal Health," Daniel Thomson, D.V.M, Ph.D., assistant professor, Kansas State University Teaching Hospital; "Beef Cattle Supply Situation and Outlook," Fred Schmedt, agricultural economist, Noble Foundation and "Practical Production Options for Cow/Calf Operations," Don Schiefelbein, Schiefelbein Farms.

After the presentations, a panel of experts will discuss "Capitalizing on the Current Situation by Drawing on Past Experiences." Panelists will include: Larry Ogle, cattleman and order buyer; Van Baize, agricultural banker and cattleman; Steve Smola, feedlot manager (retired) and president of Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association and Deward Strong, cattleman.

The symposium will feature a trade show with more than 35 participating businesses and organizations, some of which will be donating door prizes. Free boot shines will be available during the trade show.

"The meal alone is worth the cost — if you don't come, you are cheating yourself," Ingram added.

The early registration fee is $20 (due by Aug. 9; $25 at the door) and includes a ribeye steak lunch. Registration and fee can be mailed to Southern Plains Beef Symposium, c/o the Noble Foundation, P.O. Box 2180, Ardmore, OK 73402. Checks should be made out to Southern Plains Beef Symposium.

Registration on Aug. 13 begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Ardmore Convention Center, I-35 and Hwy. 142 in Ardmore. The program starts at 9 a.m.

For more information, call the Foundation at (580) 223-5810 or the Carter County OSU Extension office at (580) 223-6570.

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Brochure/Program (PDF)

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