Nebraska College Hosts Stockmanship Clinic for Livestock Producers

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) is set to host a three-day stockmanship clinic aimed at livestock producers, students, and community members from October 24 to 26. The event will feature renowned veterinarian and stockmanship educator Dr. Tom Noffsinger and Ted Howard, an instructor specializing in feedlot horsemanship. Participants will learn low-stress cattle handling techniques and effective horsemanship skills.

“This clinic is open to everyone,” said event organizer Jessica Rodman. “Whether you are an experienced cattle handler, a student of stockmanship or simply curious to learn, this weekend is a chance to practice, ask questions, and be part of a community that values good cattle handling and strong horsemanship.”

The sessions will take place at the NCTA Ag Industry Education Center and Livestock Teaching Center located in Curtis, Nebraska. Interested individuals can attend for a daily fee and are encouraged to register in advance. For more information, visit www.ncta.unl.edu or contact Rodman at [email protected].

In another important update for the region, the Cuming County Extension Board is scheduled to hold a meeting on October 27 at 19:00. This gathering will occur in the Courthouse Meeting Room. The full agenda for the meeting is available for review at the Cuming County Extension office.

Additionally, Champion Seed, based in Norfolk, Nebraska, has announced the addition of Zach Painter to its team as a sales agronomist. Painter, who has over eight years of experience in the seed industry, will support Champion Seed customers throughout the state. His strong agricultural background and commitment to customer success are expected to enhance the company’s presence and relationships with growers.

“Zach understands the grit it takes to persevere on some of the toughest fields,” said Brett Hodnefield, co-owner of Champion Seed. “His deep agronomic knowledge and dedication to helping farmers succeed align perfectly with Champion Seed’s mission to deliver performance-driven solutions for every farmer.”

Painter is a graduate of Northeast Community College, where he earned degrees in agronomy, precision agriculture, and ag business. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and administration from Peru State College. Residing in Norfolk with his wife and newborn child, Painter enjoys outdoor activities such as golfing, hunting, and fishing when not working with farmers.

On October 22 at 12:00, the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition will conduct an educational webinar titled “Mending Fences: Conflict Resolution Strategies for Ranch Transition.” This session will feature insights from producer Pete Ferrell and his land manager John Wagner, sharing real-life experiences in ranch transition. More information can be found at www.nebraskagrazinglands.org.

These events and initiatives reflect ongoing efforts within Nebraska’s agricultural community to enhance skills, foster collaboration, and address challenges facing producers in the region.