Range management program set
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County cattle producers have the opportunity to take part in a range management program being offered by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
The program, which offers three continuing education units, will be held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Abilene Christian University’s Rhoden Field Labratory near Hamby.
“People should contact the Taylor County extension office at 325-672-6048 if they need directions to the ACU ag farm,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “It is in Shackelford County, but just barely.”
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $20 per person and includes lunch. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Friday, May 12.
The program will include speakers from Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Natural Resource Coservation Service, Texas Grazing Lands Coalition, and ACU’s Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences providing discussion and demonstrations on mechanical, chemical and fire invasive species management methods; regenerative grazing methods; and soil health.
“Some of our speakers are local,” Bell said. “John Tate, president of the Soil and Water Conservation board is going to speak. Lee Burton has been helping me coordinate with the Texas Grazing Lands Coalition, and Cody Fry has been working with them on some projects out at the Clear Fork, so he’ll be speaking on what they’re doing.”
The event is the first in the four-part Big Country Beef Cattle Improvement Series. Other programs in the series are a water focus program scheduled for June 29 in Callahan County, improving herd health and reproduction at a date to be determined in July at Jones County’s Horn Livestock, and the Big Country Beef Conference on Aug. 24 at Taylor County Expo Center.
Cost for each program is $20 per person. Individuals can sign up for the whole series for $60 and couples can sign up for $100.
For information, contact Taylor County administrative assistant Tammie Belyeu at TLBelyeu@ag.tamu.edu or call 325-672-6048.
