Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Cody Bridges, 325-853-2123, cody.bridges@ag.tamu.edu
ELDORADO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a multi-county Rangeland Soil Renovation Workshop beginning at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 21 in the Schleicher County Civic Center in Eldorado.
“Though parts of the state have received rainfall, there are still many areas of exposed bare earth on our rangelands,” said Cody Bridges, AgriLife Extension agent in Schleicher County.
Bridges will be conducting the meeting, along with the AgriLife Extension agents in Sutton and Irion counties.
Individual registration is $10 due by Aug. 16. To register and for more information, call the AgriLife Extension office in Schleicher County at 325-853-2132.
“This workshop will present the factors affecting soil health, ways to renovate bare ground and demonstrate how to evaluate upward and downward range condition trends,” Bridges said.
Topics and speakers will include:
– Soils 101, John Begnaud, AgriLife Extension horticulturist emeritus, San Angelo. Begnaud will discuss basic soil health principles, cover soil types, soil and water supply, plant water supply, and the role of microbes in the soil.
– Renovation Practices to Improve Rainfall Effectiveness, Joe Petersen, University of Texas Lands Office, senior range conservationist, Midland. Petersen will talk on soil compaction, hardpan and renovating bare-earth areas. Methods discussed will include contour ripping, wing ripping and diking.
– Monitoring Range Health, Dr. Bob Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde. Lyons’ focus will be on rangeland trend monitoring. He will present alternatives, including clip and weigh methods, range health checklists and photo points.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available to those with a valid pesticide applicators license.
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