Stock dog clinic is Nov. 12-14 in Curtis

By NCTA News

Stock dog owners are welcome to register themselves and their dogs for a spot in the 2021 Fall Herding Dog Clinic at NCTA.

The Aggie Stock Dog Team at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will host the clinic Nov. 12-14 on campus and at the indoor arena of the Livestock Teaching Center, said Leighlynn Obermiller, team coach.

Kent and Lori Herbel of the XP Ranch in Putnam, Oklahoma, conduct about 20 clinics per year. They have been training herding dogs to handle livestock in low-stress environments since 1999.

Opening day on Friday, Nov. 12 is classroom sessions, which are available for a separate fee. Spots for 12 dogs and handlers will be on-the-ground herding livestock during the Saturday and Sunday sessions.

Spectators are invited to audit for $25 per day, said Obermiller. Register through email at hobbermiller2@unl.edu or call 308-367-5221

The NCTA Stock Dog Team has competed in working dog trials at the XP Ranch for the past few years. Herbel was a guest clinician in early 2021.

“We had such a great time last May we wanted to bring Kent back again!” said Obermiller, who is an instructor in the NCTA Veterinary Technology division.

Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.