Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. John Walker, 325-653-4576, j-walker@tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – “Dealing with Change,” will be the theme of this year’s 39th annual Sheep and Goat Field Day Sept. 6 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo.
Registration is set for 7:30 a.m. with the program running from 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the center, located just north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87.
Dr. John Walker, resident director of research at the center, said this year’s field day will be dedicated to three retirees formerly headquartered at the center. The three are Dr. Allan McGinty, Texas AgriLife Extension Service range specialist who retired Aug. 31, 2010; Dr. Chris Lupton, former director of the Texas AgriLife Research Bill Sims Wool and Mohair Research Laboratory who retired Aug. 31, 2011; and Dr. Chris Sansone, AgriLife Extension entomologist who retired July 31. The men will be honored at 11:30 a.m. just before the noon meal.
“These three men have been an integral part of this center and to the agricultural community as a whole for many years, and we felt it only fitting that they be honored during our annual field day,” Walker said. “All three are greatly respected in their respective fields and they remain active and committed to the agricultural industry.”
Key field day topics and speakers during the morning session will include:
– Improving Your Lamb Crop: Controlling Abortive Diseases and Improving Reproductive Efficiency, Dr. Frank Craddock, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist, San Angelo.
– Comparison of Lamb Production and Ewe Longevity for Dorper and Rambouillet Ewes, Dr. Dan Waldron, AgriLife Research geneticist, San Angelo.
– New Caseous Lymphadenitis and Soremouth Vaccines for Livestock, Dale Weise, Texas Vet Lab, Inc., San Angelo.
– Risk Management and Standardized Performance Analysis for Sheep, Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo.
– Pasture, Range and Forage Insurance, Walker.
Following a catered lunch underwritten by the field day commercial exhibitors and introduction of special guests, the afternoon session will begin with Dr. Bob Lyons, speaking on new brush control herbicides.
The remainder of the day will be devoted to industry updates from the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association, Mohair Council of America, American Sheep and Goat Center, Producer’s Marketing Cooperative Inc., U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency.
One Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit will be available for those with a private applicators license.
For more information, contact the center at 325-653-4576.
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