Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Emily Grant, 830-774-7591, Emily.Grant@ag.tamu.edu
DEL RIO — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is holding a Brush Busters Basics workshop on March 14 at the Dink Wardlaw Ag Complex, 300 E. 17th St. in Del Rio.
The workshop will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and cost is $20 if registered by March 11 or $25 at the door. Dinner is included.
“Brush Busters methods are easily understood, even by those with little or no previous experience in brush control,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent, Val Verde County. “Brush Busters methods make every attempt to keep equipment costs and complexity to a minimum, and whenever possible, to use non-restricted herbicides.”
Brush Busters stresses the use of individual plant treatments in order to reduce the quantity of herbicides released into the environment and to improve the level of control obtained, Grant said. Brush Busters recommends treatments capable of killing at least seven of 10 of the plants treated.
Dr. Morgan Treadwell, AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo, will be the featured speaker.
“With warmer temperatures around the corner and spring just about here, it is important to take an inventory of pasture plants,” said Treadwell. “How much mesquite? How much prickly pear? Knowing the plant density of invasive species guides a landowner into choosing the appropriate management method.
“Brush Busters is a complete step-by-step program for individually treating plants. There are many different application recommendations based on stem density, diameter and plant densities. Learning about the appropriate application methods to treat invasive brush through Brush Busters is the first step in managing invasive brush and reclaiming rangeland.”
Topics covered will include:
- How brush control can help increase grass production by allowing for better livestock management, decreased soil erosion and healthier rangeland.
- New products and research available to make it easier to reach brush management goals.
- How to avoid the need to use expensive broadcast treatments that “paint with a broad brush.”
- How to extend the life of broadcast treatments when they are used.
- How to sculpt the landscape to meet specific management goals.
Two general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing educations units are available for producers who have their private applicators license. Register by calling 830-774-7591 or online at https://valverde.agrilife.org/brush-busters-basics/.
Brush Busters is a cooperative program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension to expedite the adoption of Tactical Brush Management System Technology. One-page pamphlets are also available from most AgriLife Extension offices that describe Brush Busters three-step control method for mesquite, prickly pear and cedar.
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