Low-stress cattle handling seminar Jan. 14 -15 in Moses Lake

Human safety, cattle performance, family dynamics, consumer perspectives are all impacted by the way we work cattle on our ranches.

Individuals are seriously injured and even killed while handling cattle. However, there are also a large number of minor incidents, near-misses, and even serious accidents to producers, family members, and caregivers that go unreported.

Low-stress cattle handling not only improves producer and family safety, morale, and retention, but has also been proven to improve animal performance, safety, health, meat quality and the perception of the cattle industry. Cattle care and handling is a top concern of consumers and has been a negative image to the animal agriculture industry in the media. Cattle ranchers and caregivers are demonstrating their commitment to animal care and consumer concerns by implementing cattle handling facilities and handling procedures to ensure both human safety and animal care.

Washington State University Extension and Grant County Cattlemen’s Association invite Washington beef cattle producers and producers from neighboring states to attend two one-day Low-Stress Cattle Handling Seminars on Jan. 14-15 at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The first day will feature cattle handling fundamentals, facility design, and working cattle in confined settings. The second day will discuss advanced cattle handling principles, low-stress handling in open pastures or range settings, working cattle with horses and dogs, and handling bulls. Each day will be comprised of presentations in the morning and hands-on cattle demonstrations in the afternoon.

The seminars will feature nationally recognized low-stress cattle handling expert Dr. Tom Noffsinger, D.V.M, from Benkelman, Neb. Dr. Noffsinger operates a successful veterinary practice and low-stress cattle handling consulting business.

Registration for both days is $50 per person and includes seminars, hand-outs, and lunches. Registration for a single day is $30 per person and there is a $20 per day late charge for registrations postmarked after Jan. 4. Pre-register to ensure adequate accommodations and meals.

Registration brochures are http://www.animalag.wsu.edu under “Upcoming Events” or by contacting Sarah M. Smith, WSU Extension Regional Specialist at smithsm@wsu.edu or (509)754-2011, ext 413. To register with a credit card, go to http://www.BrownPaperTickets.com and enter number 299568.

These seminars are funded through a grant from the Washington State University Western Center for Risk Management Education, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, received by Washington State University Extension in collaboration with Grant County Cattlemen’s Association, Washington Cattle Feeders’ Association, and Washington Cattlemen’s Association.