Missouri

"A tremendous lineup of topics and speakers," according to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Bruce Lane, who also assists in planning and organizing the Missouri Livestock Symposium to be held Dec. 2 and 3 in Kirksville, Mo. Lane says, "If folks have any interest in sheep or meat goats, Kirksville is definitely the place to be." A look at the topics and speakers confirms Lane's reason for enthusiasm.

Saturday's speakers and topics include New Innovations In Predator Management with Dr. Jeff Green, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Colorado; Overview of Predators and Predator Control, Dr. Maurice Shelton, Texas A&M; Internal Parasite Control in Sheep and Meat Goats, Dr. Joan Burke, USDA-ARS, Arkansas; Reproduction Management for Success in Sheep and Meat Goats, Dr. Micheal Salisbury, Angelo State University; Sheep and Meat Goat Management Strategies, Dr. Frank Craddock, Texas A&M; Resources for Sheep Producers and Meat Goat Production--A Personal Perspective, Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland; What We've Learned Raising Sheep for a Living, Paul and Kathy Lewis, Bonanza, Oregon; Meat Goat Production, Preston Faris, Sonora, Texas; Research Update for Sheep Producers, Dr. Michael Thonney, Cornell University; Forage Variety Update, Dr. Charles Brummer, Iowa State University; All About Bale Silages, Dr. Garry Lacefield, University of Kentucky; and Grazing Management Strategies, Mark Kennedy, USDA/NRCS, Missouri.

In addition to the talks mentioned above, Keith Gilleon will present three talks on stock dogs. Keith is a nationally known stock dog handler and member of the Stock Dog Handler's Hall of Fame from Ethel, La. He will speak on selection and starting the stock dog; correcting stock dog bad habits, and making your stock dogs top hands.

The Missouri Livestock Symposium also features internationally and nationally known speakers on beef cattle, horses, swine, forages, agribusiness, and around the home topics. For a complete program lineup go to the Missouri Livestock Symposium website at http://missourilivestock.com or you can call Garry Mathes at 660-665-7049 or 660-341-6625 or Bruce Lane at 660-665-9866 (or e-mail lanen@missouri.edu and put MLS in the subject line.)

The 2005 Missouri Livestock Symposium is held at the Kirksville Middle School Complex located at 1515 S. Cottage Grove, Kirksville. Doors open to the trade show and programs Friday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. and doors open Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 a.m.

A free meal will be served on Friday night at 6 p.m. Following the meal Orion Samuelson, award winning farm broadcaster, will kick off the symposium. At the conclusion of the program on Saturday, Dec. 3, a concert by Wylie and the Wild West will conclude the symposium. Wylie and the Wild West have performed on the Grand Ole Opry 48 times, have appeared on CMT, and performed at such high brow venues as the Lincoln Center in New York and the Kennedy Center for Perfoming Arts in Washington, D.C. They have also appeared at major state fairs across the USA and have toured in both Australia and Japan. Tickets are $10 each and sold on a first come first served basis. For ticket information or tickets call 660-665-9866. According to Garry Mathes, chair of the 2005 Missouri Livestock Symposium, Wylie will also speak in the Horse Section of the symposium. A Quarter Horse producer and avid roper, Wylie is also the voice of Yahoo!

Headquarters motel for the Missouri Livestock Symposium is the Days Inn in Kirksville (660-665-8244). Special room rates are available if you indicate you are coming for the symposium.

No pre-registration or registration costs are associated with attending the Missouri Livestock Symposium programs or Trade Show.