Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Pascual Hernandez, 325-387-3101, p-hernandez@tamu.edu
SONORA – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Sutton and Edwards counties will conduct a Natural Resources Field Day Aug. 30 at the Sutton County Civic Center in Sonora.
The event starts with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program at 9 a.m.
“Rarely do we have back-to-back years with good rains in the summer as we have this year and last,” said Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County. “Those events provide opportunities to maximize our natural resources to prepare for the not-so-good times. Significant rains produce forage and fuel, but they also benefit noxious woody species.
“To help producers make the best of these two good years, we will spend the day focusing on ways to enhance our range resources. Our topics will include controlling brush encroachment, capturing rainwater to supplement water sources and building equipment for use during wildfires or prescribed burns.”
He said most of the program will take place outdoors, and because August can be hot, attendees should come prepared for the heat.
Topics and speakers will include:
-Skid Steer Attachments for Brush Control, Bobby Chandler, Rocky Oaks Ranch Construction owner/operator, Eldorado.
-Building a Cost-Effective Skid Sprayer, Nick Garza, Texas A&M AgriLife Research senior research associate, Sonora.
– Rainwater Harvesting Systems, Billy Kniffen, retired AgriLife Extension rainwater harvesting specialist, Menard.
-Pesticide Laws and Regulations, Cory Pence, Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide inspector, San Angelo.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units in integrated pest management, laws and regulations, and general will be offered.
Individual registration is $15 by Aug. 25 and $25 thereafter. Call the AgriLife Extension office in Sutton County at 325-387-3101 to register and for more information or James Crockett, AgriLife Extension agent in Edwards County, at 830-683-4310.
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