EL CAMPO — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Wharton County office will offer a predator management and pesticide applicator training and test from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Hlavinka Equipment Co. store in El Campo, 3230 West Business 59 South.
People interested in attending should reserve by Dec. 2 by calling 979-532-3310. The fee is $20 per person and includes lunch.
“Predators such as coyotes, foxes and feral dogs cause damage to livestock and crops which results in economic loss to Texas farmers and ranchers,” said Corrie Bowen, AgriLife Extension agent in Wharton County. “Predators also sometimes adversely affect wildlife populations. These animals can spread diseases such as rabies, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever to domestic animals and humans.”
Bowen said the predator management training program works to assist the livestock industry and to ensure the methods used to manage livestock predation do not present hazards to humans, non-target animals and the environment.
“This program will cover training on available management techniques and monitoring to allow certification of M-44 sodium cyanide applicators,” she said.
Before being permitted to use this pesticide, Bowen noted, applicators must have a pesticide applicator’s license with the Texas Department of Agriculture, attend a training class to learn proper use of the selected method and score 70 or above on the examination.
Noncommercial applicators must also obtain the Predatory Animal Control subcategory, or the Regulatory Pest Control or Demonstration and Research categories, she said, and commercial applicators must also obtain the Predatory Animal Control subcategory.
The program also includes other control methods and tips on identifying which predator is affecting livestock.
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