Media advisory issued October 31, 2002, effective immediately.
For media inquiries, contact Caroline Booth Lara, Communications Specialist, (580) 224-6379.
  email: cblara@noble.org.

Foundation Disperses Noble Line Cattle
Breeders association will now take over breed development

ARDMORE, Okla. — Members of the Noble Line Breeders Association had a chance to buy animals from the Foundation's herd of Noble Line cattle during a private dispersal sale at Red River Livestock Auction in Overbrook, Okla., on Oct. 25.

Noble Line cattle are a composite of approximately one-third Angus, one-third Brahman and one-third Gelbvieh, and were bred to provide producers in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas with genetics specifically designed for the region. Composite breeds combine the relative strengths of existing breeds and are able to maintain hybrid vigor (benefits realized from crossbreeding) over time.

"Noble Line cattle were developed here, and the Foundation has supported and worked with the project since it began," said Shan Ingram, the Agricultural Division's education and special projects manager. "As with some of our other projects that have dealt with genetic or variety development [in plants], this cattle-oriented genetic project is now being turned over to the private sector."

Two hundred seventy head of cattle were sold, including bred Noble Line cows and heifers, weaned Noble Line heifer and bull calves, and Noble Line bulls. Lyndon Graf, a veterinarian and Foundation cooperator from Marlow, Okla., said he's owned Noble Line cattle since 1998.

"Compared to other cross-bred cattle I have, they appear to have above-average weaning weights," said Graf, who is the vice-president of the Noble Line Breeders Association. "Being a composite breed, they seem to grow out good."

The dispersal went very smoothly, Ingram said, and both the Foundation and members of the breeders association are pleased with the outcome.

###

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

To learn more, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release