KLA/K-State Field Day

For more information contact:

Scarlett Hagins or Todd Domer (785) 273-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 12, 2009

STROBERG LAND & CATTLE TO HOST KLA/K-STATE RANCH FIELD DAY

(TOPEKA) – A session on how the cattle industry is addressing challenges from animal rights groups will highlight the program August 25 during a field day hosted by Stroberg Land & Cattle at the Jon Mollhagen family’s Reno Ranch near Hutchinson. The host operation, owned by the David Stroberg family, revolves around a commercial cow-calf herd and a dryland and irrigated farming business. This will be the second of three ranch management field days presented by the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and Kansas State University.

Kay Johnson Smith, executive vice president of the Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA), will explain how her organization is helping the industry respond to animal care concerns. AAA is made up of individuals, companies and organizations committed to helping consumers better understand the role animal agriculture plays in providing a safe, abundant food supply to a hungry world. Its primary functions are to monitor emerging animal welfare issues; educate consumers, teachers and the media regarding the science of livestock production; and conduct media and crisis management training when necessary.

Tom Noffsinger, renowned instructor for the cattle-handling techniques pioneered by Bud Williams, will be on hand to demonstrate the principles of low-stress management. This handling approach is designed to build trust between the handler and cattle; thereby reducing stress and injury. It also allows producers to enhance the health, productivity and welfare of their cattle herd. Noffsinger will give a live demonstration of the “pressure and release” approach during his presentation.

Another educational session will focus on brush and tree control in native pastures. Woody encroachment reduces forage for grazing and wildlife habitat for grassland-dependent wildlife species. Natural Resources Conservation Service Rangeland Management Specialist David Kraft will discuss the scope of tree and brush invasion and why it is occurring. He also will explain the economical impact of unchecked tree and brush invasion and provide management options for enhancing the grassland resource.

Attendees also will hear from K-State veterinarian Larry Hollis about the reproductive and fertility problems trichomoniasis can cause for cowherds. He will give an overview of the health threat, including how it infects cowherds and provide management tips for preventing this disease.

The Hutchinson field day will begin with registration at 3:30 p.m. and conclude with a free beef dinner at 7:00 p.m. All livestock producers and others involved in the business are invited to attend.

The Reno Ranch is located near Hutchinson at 2408 W. 95th Street. From the north, go south on Highway 61 toward Hutchinson. At 56th Street, go west about 5.5 miles to Hendricks Street, then go north to 82nd Street. From 82nd and Hendricks, go 1 mile west to Pennington Road, then north 1 mile to 95th Street. Go east about one-half mile to the field day location. From Highway 96, take the 4th Avenue exit. Go east about 1.5 miles to Hendricks Street, then north about 6 miles to 82nd Street. From 82nd and Hendricks, go 1 mile west to Pennington Road, then north 1 mile to 95th Street, then east one-half mile. Directional signs will be posted.

KLA and K-State also will host ranch management field days August 20 at Dry Creek Ranch near Olsburg and August 27 at the Ken and Barb Grecian operation near Palco. Unique aspects of each ranch will be incorporated into the educational sessions.

Bayer Animal Health and the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas are sponsoring all three events. For more information, go to www.kla.org or call the KLA office at (785) 273-5115.

KLA is a trade organization representing the business interests of independent beef producers at the state and national levels. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep.

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