Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Larry Redmon, 979-845-4826, l-redmon@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Texas landowners needing anything from basic ranching skills to wildlife management will find answers during the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Ranch Management University Oct. 12-16 in College Station, according to coordinators.
The workshop will meet at the G. Rollie White Visitor’s Center, 7707 Raymond Stotzer Parkway on the Texas A&M University campus, said Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist in College Station.
Registration is $500, with attendance limited to the first 50 who enroll. To register online and for more information, go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter “ranch management” into the search window.
The five-day event is designed to help new landowners improve their understanding regarding management of resources on their ranch properties, Redmon said.
He said topics to be covered include soils and soil fertility, forage species selection, hay production, weed and brush management, winter pasture establishment and utilization, beef cattle breed selection, nutrient requirements and feeding strategies for livestock, grazing management strategies, and the popular chute-side talk live animal handling demonstrations of vaccinations, dehorning and castration of cattle.
“Also, because we know Texans are very interested in wildlife management, an entire day is spent regarding wildlife and fisheries,” he said. “Several wildlife management topics are covered regarding white-tailed deer, turkey, dove and quail management.
“And we offer an extensive fisheries management presentation and a trip to ponds on a local ranch to learn how to evaluate fish populations and aquatic weed issues. Also popular is the ‘what to do with the feral hog’ presentation and hog trap demonstration.”
Also, an agricultural economist will cover how to plan for profit, how to develop a marketing plan and provide a look at alternative enterprises. A horse specialist will be on hand to discuss horse production and management.
Other field demonstrations will include assessing body condition scores for cattle, how to obtain proper soil and hay samples, and how to correctly calibrate a sprayer.
Meals and break refreshments will be provided. A resource flash drive containing over 100 publications covering ranch resource management will also be provided.
For additional information, contact Redmon at 979-845-4826 or at l-redmon@tamu.edu .
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