Contact: Kara Matheney, 979-277-6212, kjmatheney@ag.tamu.edu
BRENHAM –The 43rd annual South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic and Trade Show is scheduled Oct. 24 at the Washington County Fairgrounds sales facility in Brenham.
Registration is $20 and will be held from 7:15-8 a.m. the day of the event.
“All area producers are encouraged to attend to receive information that will help them make sound management decisions in their beef cattle operations,” said Kara Matheney, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Washington County. “A great list of speakers has been prepared based on the recommendations of the area beef and forage committee members from Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Lee, Waller, and Washington counties.”
Matheney said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station, and Doug Pierce, division chair for agriculture at Blinn College, will start the morning session with a presentation and demonstration on heifer selection and evaluation using a variety of breeds.
Doug Pierce, division chair for agriculture at Blinn College, will provide discussion on heifer selection at the Oct. 24 South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)
Dr. Steve Hammack, professor emeritus and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Stephenville, will follow up their demonstration with a reminder about the basics of breed characteristics for the cattle in the area. Dr. Levi Russell, AgriLife Extension economist, Corpus Christi, will discuss the economics of buying versus raising replacement heifers.
Weed and brush control and fence line management will also be part of the program.
“Each year the cow-calf clinic is supported by numerous sponsors and trade show vendors who will have booths, equipment displays and representatives on hand to visit with participants throughout the day,” she said. “This year the clinic is opening up the trade show to cattlemen who would like to bring in bulls or heifers for display. Anyone interested in the trade show can contact the AgriLife Extension office in Washington County for more information.”
Matheney said the Washington County beef and forage committee, in conjunction with Texas Ag Finance, purchased a commercial heifer during the Washington County Fair Commercial Heifer Sale and will raffle it off as the grand door prize at the end of the day. Participants must be registered for the entire day and must be present to win.
“After the meeting is adjourned, trade show sponsors, participants and speakers are invited to stick around for the social hour sponsored by Mike Hopkins Distributing and enjoy some beer-battered beef tips.”
Cow-calf clinic participants who hold a private, commercial or non-commercial pesticide applicators license will receive one hour of continuing education in the integrated pest management category and one hour in general. Beef cattle producers certified under the Texas Beef Quality Producer Program will receive beef quality credits for attending the clinic.
For more information and to register for the South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Washington County at 979-277-6212.
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