ROBSTOWN — The 2012 Texas AgXchange Farm and Ranch Show will be held Oct. 4-5 at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Showgrounds, 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd., just east of State Highway 77 in Robstown.
The show is being produced by VerticalXchange in cooperation with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, according to Jeffrey Stapper, an AgriLife Extension agent in Nueces County.
“The farm and ranch show will showcase some of the latest agricultural technology being used in South Texas,” he said. “In addition to the many fine farm industry exhibits, there will be numerous educational sessions offering continuing education units for pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors and credits for beef quality assurance.”
In conjunction to the show, on Oct. 4, the third annual South Texas Commodity Symposium will be hosted by the Texas Corn Producers, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers, South Texas Cotton and Grain Association and the Southwest Council of Agribusiness.
“Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples will give an update on state border control and immigration issues,” Stapper said. “Tom Sell of Combest, Sell and Associates of Lubbock will give us an update on the 2012 Farm Bill, and Brian McCuistion of the Texas Grain Producers Indemnity Board will provide information on the upcoming indemnity fund referendum.”
The symposium begins at 10 a.m. and will end at noon when attendees will receive free lunch tickets to the AgXchange barbeque cookoff.
Topics at the educational conference on Oct. 4 will include improving profits with bull selection, a cattle working and handling demonstration, updates from the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Beef Council, an update on citrus greening, managing wildlife to enhance ranch income and pond renovation, Stapper said.
Topics on Oct. 5 include pesticide laws and regulations, a crop market outlook and marketing strategies for the coming year, developments in brush control, and a long-range weather outlook by the National Weather Service.
The show will be open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days and will feature 150 indoor and outdoor displays of new farm and ranch equipment, ranch equipment and services, and field demonstrations on a 40-acre site adjacent to the fairgrounds, according to Greg Geisler, show director.
“For any producer or rancher looking to improve their operation, there will be plenty to see,” he said. “We have created what we call a ‘working farm show’ where critical information on the latest techniques and technology will not only be on display, but will be put to the test out in the field.”
Field demonstrations will be held both days from 10 – 11 a.m. and will include tillage equipment, trucks, tractors, sprayers and cattle handling equipment.
“I believe these field demonstrations will be one of the most popular features of this show,” Geisler said.
For more information go to www.texasagxchange.com or call 952-736-9360.