AUSTIN/CREEDMOOR — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will hold an Animal Traceability and Beef 101 program Dec. 11 in Creedmoor to help beef cattle producers better understand the new animal traceability rule for adult cattle established by the Texas Animal Health Commission.
The program will be from 6 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. at the Creedmoor Community Center, 12511 Farm-to-Market 1625, said Julie Ansley, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources for Travis County.
“This new rule is to improve the traceability of beef cattle in Texas and is pivotal in the effort to control animal disease,” Ansley said. “But there are many details relating to implementing the new rule and that’s why we are offering this program.”
Ansley said anyone involved in the beef cattle business can benefit from this program, which will address how the new rule will help with the identification and location of cattle exposed to or infected with diseases such as brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis.
“This is an extremely important program for area cattle breeders, as well as other breeders from throughout Texas, and all are invited to attend,” she said. “There were an estimated 4.3 million beef cattle in Texas as of January 2012. Loss of cattle due to animal disease is one of the many issues the beef cattle industry faces, and this new rule should help curb some of those losses.”
Ansley said additional program support and collaboration would be provided by Richard Parrish, AgriLife Extension county agent, Hays County, and Rachel Bauer, AgriLife Extension county agent, Bastrop County.
“Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Travis County will have more than 1,000 tags at the program on Dec. 11 and will reorder more as needed,” Ansley said. “All tags are free of charge when obtained through AgriLife Extension, but on the evening of Dec. 11 the tags will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.”
Ansley said those wanting tags will need to provide their name, address and phone number.
“TAHC has very few taggers, and all of Travis County will be issued only one or two taggers,” she said. “At least one will be given away at the seminar, and there will be more details about the taggers at the Dec. 11 event.”
The program will include an introduction of Ryan Brockenbush, Texas Animal Health Commission inspector for Travis, Lee, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties. Presenters will include Dr. Tom Barton, regional director for the Texas Animal Health Commission, who will provide details on the traceability program and answer questions pertaining to it.
Additionally, Dr. Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde, will present Beef Cattle 101, which offers attendees one Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit in integrated pest management.
Attendees must RSVP By Dec. 10 to Sue Carrasco at the AgriLife Extension office for Travis County, 512-854-9610.
Program cost is $20 and includes dinner. Registration is payable by check only; cash will not be accepted. Make checks payable to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
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