Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Rick Minzenmayer, 325-365-5212, r-minzenmayer@tamu.edu
BALLINGER – Concho Valley cotton producers will have ample opportunity to catch up on the latest cotton patch news during two upcoming field events in Runnels and Tom Green counties.
The first is the Runnels County Turnrow Meeting set for 9 a.m. Sept. 25 on the Paul Minzenmayer farm located just off U.S. Highway 67 between Ballinger and Rowena. The second event is the Tom Green County Cotton Field Tour slated for 9 a.m. Oct. 8 on the John and Doug Wilde farm just north of the intersection of Loop 306 and Farm-to-Market Road 765, east of San Angelo.
“In Runnels County we’ll meet at our FACT/CAP Trial, located off County Road 401 on County Road 408, to discuss cotton and wheat varieties and laws and regulations,” said Rick Minzenmayer, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management agent for Runnels and Tom Green counties. “We’ll then head to St. Mary’s New Hall in Ballinger for a complimentary lunch and educational program.”
The Runnels County program will include presentations by representatives from crop insurance, chemical and seed companies and the Boll Weevil Eradication program. Others will include Dr. David Drake, AgriLife Extension agronomist at San Angelo, Paul Weiser, Texas Department of Agriculture and Minzenmayer.
“The Tom Green County tour will give producers an up-close look at a number of irrigated cotton variety trials and our harvest-aid demonstration,” Minzenmayer said. “We will also hear a talk on pesticide use laws and regulations before going to the barbecue area at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Wall for a complimentary meal and educational program similar to the one in Runnels County.”
Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units – one general and one laws and regulations – will be offered at the Runnels County program. Three units — two general and one laws and regulations — will be offered at the Tom Green County program. Participants must attend the entire respective program to receive the credits.
“Since the Tom Green County event typically draws a large crowd, we ask those planning to attend to RSVP by Oct. 4 so we can give the caterer an accurate meal count,” Minzenmayer said.
To RSVP, call the AgriLife Extension office in Tom Green County at 325-659-6523 or Minzenmayer at 325-365-5212.
Minzenmayer is the information contact for both meetings.
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