By Patrick Wall, Sherry Hoyer
Learning to take advantage of the natural movement tendencies of cattle is the first step toward more efficient and effective handling, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Patrick Wall.
“Low-stress cattle handling techniques benefit both the cattle and the cowboy,” he said. “Dr. Tom Noffsinger is known across the continent for his low-stress techniques and facility design, and we’re proud to host him at a clinic at the Davis County Fairgrounds in Bloomfield on Tuesday, Aug. 12.”
Wall said Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State and Merck Animal Health are sponsoring the clinic that includes classroom and demonstration sessions led by Noffsinger, a consulting feedyard veterinarian from Nebraska. In the classroom session, participants will learn how to design, build and work with a “Bud Box” system. Handouts will be available and note-taking is encouraged. Following lunch, the group will move to the covered pavilion on the fairgrounds for the low-stress animal handling demonstration.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. in the classroom in the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds with the classroom instruction beginning at 10 a.m. Lunch is at noon, and the demonstration starts at 1 p.m. Producers and young people interested in the cattle industry are welcome to attend. However, the handling demonstration area needs to be fairly quiet for attendees to hear and appreciate Noffsinger’s presentation.
There’s no cost to attend, but preregistration is requested by Aug. 8 to ensure adequate meal and material counts. Preregister by calling Sara Benson with Merck Animal Health at 641-777-9260 or email her at sara.benson@merck.com.
“Improving stockmanship using low-stress handling techniques can improve animal health and performance,” Benson said. “Dr. Noffsinger is the expert in this area, and we think his knowledge will be a great asset to all who attend.”
Source:iastate.edu