Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. J. D. Ragland, 806-468-5543, j-ragland@tamu.edu
CANYON – The 40th annual Randall County Crops Tour hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is set for Aug. 30 at the Kuhlman Extension Center, 200 North Brown Road, Canyon.
“We have a good program lined up that offers something for just about everyone interested in agriculture in Randall County,” said Dr. J. D. Ragland, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Randall County.
The morning portion will kick off with registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by the program at 9 a.m. This year the event is free, with the registration fee covered by Happy State Bank.
The following topics and speakers are on the morning agenda:
– Reducing Potential Risk Factors While Capturing Profitability with Stocker Cattle Grazing, Dr. Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Amarillo.
– Wheat Varieties and Yield Results From High Plains Region, New Insen Genetic Trait Tolerance in Sorghum and Zest Herbicide-Release Update, Dr. Jourdan Bell, AgriLife Extension agronomist, Amarillo.
– Current Cattle/ Commodity Overview and Outlook: Managing Risk in Volatile Markets, Mike Maroney, Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC, Chicago, Illinois.
The noon luncheon keynote speakers will be State Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, addressing current legislative agriculture issues, and Pat Ware, Amarillo National Bank executive vice president, who will highlight financial issues and concerns for High Plains agriculture producers and what lies ahead.
The noon luncheon and awards presentation is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank of Canyon. Following the keynote addresses will be the presentation of the Randall County Extension Top Hand, Outstanding Result Demonstrator and Outstanding Agribusiness awards.
At 1:30 p.m. all participants will have an opportunity to view and learn about the newest technology in agricultural equipment with displays and presentations from local and area dealers just south of the Kuhlman Extension Center.
Then the tour bus, sponsored by the Palo Duro Soil and Water Conservation District of Canyon, will be loaded and make three stops. Topics and presenters at the stops will be:
– Cotton Variety – Flex Trial, Bell.
– Sugarcane Aphid Management Sorghum Plots, Dr. Ada Szczepaniec, Texas A&M AgriLife Research entomologist, Amarillo.
– Live Cattle Dart Gun Vaccination Demonstration, Jason Douglas and Zane Ricketts, Micro Technologies, Amarillo.
The tour should conclude around 4:30 p.m.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units – one drift minimization, one integrated pest management and one general – will be available for private pesticide applicators.
An RSVP is requested by Aug. 26 by calling 806-468-5543. For more information, contact Ragland at that number or j-ragland@tamu.edu.
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