Farm tour highlights Noble Foundation's agricultural efforts

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - October 22, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. — The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, along with producers Ole and Twain Butler, will be hosting a farm tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Ole Butler farm in Vashti, Texas, in Clay County.

Ole Butler is a longtime farmer and rancher in north Texas, and his son, Twain Butler, Ph.D., is a research forage agronomist in the Forage Improvement Division at the Noble Foundation. The Butlers have numerous test and demonstration plots on their farm which highlight the Noble Foundation's agricultural efforts.

"We have held the Butler Field Day for the last few years," said Jim Johnson, Noble Foundation soils and crops consultant. "This is a great opportunity to come out and see new developments in forages."

During the farm tour, Noble Foundation consultants will discuss forage crops such as alfalfa and fescue. Also, participants will learn how to calculate reserve herd days, and forage nutrition and supplementation. Laws and regulations concerning weed control will be discussed, allowing participants to receive 2 Texas Pesticide Applicator CEUs if needed. Ole Butler will talk about his experiences as a producer working with the Noble Foundation.

Tour participants will meet at 9 a.m. in the Vashti Baptist Church (6109 FM 1288 S., Bellevue, Texas) parking lot and caravan out to the Butlers' farm. Lunch will be provided at the Baptist Fellowship Hall.

There is no registration fee, but preregistration is requested. To register for the tour or for additional information, please contact Tracy Cumbie at 580.224.6411 or Lori Heman at 580.224.6430.

09-054

For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.