Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu
TEXARKANA – The Four States Agricultural Exposition will be held 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Four States Fairgrounds in Texarkana, Arkansas, said Dr. Brian Triplett, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Red River County.
The exposition is a joint effort between AgriLife Extension and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, and typically is the largest gathering of farmers and ranchers in the four-state area, according to Triplett. More than 300 have attended each of the last three years.
“Registration to the exposition is free and includes lunch, thanks to support from sponsors and vendors,” he said. “The only fee is $10 for Texas Department of Agriculture license holders who wish to receive CEU credits for attending the workshops.”
License owners may earn as many as five continuing education units, depending upon which sessions they attend, Triplett said.
“Arkansas producers can attend a class beginning at 2:15 p.m. to obtain or renew their pesticide applicator license,” he said.
Concurrent topics and speakers will be:
— 8:30 a.m.: Controlling Fire Ants in Pastures and Hay Fields, Dr. Kelly Loftin, University of Arkansas entomologist; Warm-Season Vegetable Production, Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist, Overton; Disease Updates in Row Crops, Dr. Terry Kirkpatrick, University of Arkansas; and Respiratory Diseases in Cattle, Dr. Heidi Ward, University of Arkansas veterinarian.
— 9:45 a.m.: Feral Hog Control — What is Legal, Dr. Becky McPeake, Arkansas Cooperative Extension wildlife specialist; Introduction to Aquaponics, Masabni; Sprayer Calibration for Crops and Pastures, Dr. Jason Davis, University of Arkansas application technologist; Timber Stand Establishment, Dr. Eric Taylor, AgriLife Extension forestry specialist, Overton.
— 11 a.m.: Native Grass Establishment, Dr. John Jennings, University of Arkansas animal scientist; Wildlife Food Plot Establishment and Use, Dr. Becky McPeake, University of Arkansas wildlife specialist; New Technologies in Wheat and Soybeans, Dr. Clark Neely, AgriLife Extension small grains specialist, College Station; and Beekeeping, Dr. Jon Zawislak, University of Arkansas entomologist.
— 1 p.m.: Forage Pest Updates, Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, Overton; Farm and Ranch Water Quality, Matthew Brown, AgriLife Extension program specialist, College Station; Management of Stressed Trees, Daniel Duncum, Texas A&M Forest Service, College Station; and Pond Weed Control and Fishery Restoration, Scott Jones and George Seldon, University of Arkansas.
— 2:15 p.m.: Arkansas Pesticide Applicator Class External Parasite Control in Cattle, Dr. Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension veterinarian entomologist, Stephenville; Understanding EPDs (Expected Progeny Differences) in Cattle Selection, Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station; Pecan Disease, Insect and Weed Updates, John Turner, University of Arkansas.
For more information, contact the Bowie County Extension office at 903-628-6702 or b-triplett@tamu.edu.
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