Corpus Christi drought symposium slated March 6

CORPUS CHRISTI – Recovering from the historic drought of 2011 will be the focus of the Drought Management Symposium for Range and Pastures, set for 8 a.m. March 6 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 10345 State Highway 44, Corpus Christi.

“Despite recent rainfall, our subsoils remain moisture-starved as we still need 15 to 20 inches to restore the rainfall we didn’t get last year,” said Jeffrey Stapper, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent in Nueces County.

Extremely dry conditions led to special challenges that will be addressed at the symposium, Stapper said.

“As the rains return, we are going to see a new problem emerge, that being the presence of dense weed populations as Mother Nature fills the void left on the parched rangelands,” Stapper said.

Morning topics will include forage management and grazing systems, designing an early drought warning system, the economic impact of stocking strategies and different forage production systems, meeting animal nutrient needs with forage management, rangeland response and toxic weed identification.

Afternoon topics include a Farm Service Agency update and support programs, insect pest control in drought, rainwater harvesting for livestock and wildlife, risk management with pasture insurance, weed and brush control options, and a weather outlook for the spring.

Continuing education units will be offered for pesticide applicators and certified crop advisors, Stapper said.

Registration is $20 and includes lunch. Those wishing to attend are asked to call the AgriLife Extension office in Nueces County at 361-767-5223 before March 2.

The symposium is sponsored by Texas AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension.