Low stress livestock handling workshop set at CSC

The Low Stress Livestock Handling Workshop will be Saturday, Nov. 12, at the CSC Student Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The presenter is Dr. Tom Noffsinger of Benkelman, who will lead both classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations.

Noffsinger, a veterinarian and consultant, promotes the low stress methods that have been shared for many years by renowned stockman Bud Williams of Independence, Kan. The method accommodates inherent emotional and mental characteristics of livestock for the benefit of both handlers and the animals.

Noffsinger, who worked at a Benkelman veterinary clinic from 1973-2005, has branched out from animal health care in recent years. He routinely conducts feedlot and ranch consultation visits and often provides advice on stockmanship and facility design.

During the workshop, Noffsinger will address general stockmanship concepts and their applications, weaning and feedlot arrival procedures, and processes for sorting and loading. As a bonus to young participants, he will provide tips for halter breaking calves for 4-H and FFA.

Noffsinger earned a doctorate of veterinary medicine from Colorado State University in 1973. In 1994, he completed the Beef Production Management Series from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In 2001, he was named consultant of the year by the Academy of Veterinary Consultants.

The workshop is being sponsored by CSC’s rangeland management program. Eloisa Oporto Leiva, a CSC graduate student who has been studying low stress livestock handling, spearheaded the event.

The price of $55 includes lunch. College students may enroll for the reduced rate of $30, while the price for participants age 18 and under is just $8.

People may register by contacting Kristol Cummings, CSC office assistant, at 308-432-6367 or kcummings@growwithcards.com.