Two veteran AgriLife Extension staffers to be honored
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. John Walker, 325-653-4576, jwalker@ag.tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – “Today’s Ranching Perspectives” will be the theme for this year’s 41st annual Sheep and Goat Field Day set Sept. 4 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo.
The center is north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87.
Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m. The field day is set to end with the noon meal, but there is an optional Texas Department of Agriculture program following at 1 p.m. that will offer three continuing education units, one each in the categories of laws and regulations, integrated pest management and general.
“This year’s field day is dedicated to two of our longtime center coworkers who are retiring the end of August, Dr. Frank Craddock and Scott Durham,” said Dr. John Walker, Texas A&M AgriLife Research resident director at the center. “Both these men are well known and recognized across the state in their respective roles.
“Dr. Craddock is Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s state sheep and goat specialist and Mr. Durham is the AgriLife Extension administrator for the 23-county West Central District headquartered here. Frank’s 29-year AgriLife Extension tenure was spent in Uvalde and San Angelo, while Scott’s 35-year career began as a county agent in Lee, Bandera and Comal counties before moving into district-level administrative posts in Vernon and Overton before coming to San Angelo.”
Walker said the annual event gives the AgriLife staff at the center a chance to showcase their work, address issues facing the ranching industry, enjoy lunch together and see old friends.
“This year’s theme, ‘Today’s Ranching Perspectives,’ is meant to be very positive as is the current ranching climate,” Walker said. “We’ve had some good regional grass-growing rains, livestock markets are extremely strong and weather forecasters predict a fall of moderate temperatures and possibly more moisture, so this field day should prove to be very upbeat and optimistic to go right along with that theme.”
Topics will include Rambouillet/Dorper sheep breed comparisons, Texas Rambouillet wool compared with Australian Merino F1 crossbred wool in active-wear apparel and supplemental disaster programs of interest to ranchers in the 2014 farm bill.
“One of our guest speakers, Dr. Roel Lopez, director and professor, Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, Texas Water Resources Institute at College Station, is set to speak on Texas water issues and what’s on the horizon for that critical topic,” Walker said. “Marvin Ensor, AgriLife Extension regional program leader here, and I will offer center updates from our respective agencies and then, just prior to lunch, the formal program will end with updates from the various sheep and goat industry groups in the area.”
The entire program, including the sponsored lunch, is free and open to the public.
For more information contact Walker at 325-653-4576, jwalker@ag.tamu.edu.
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