Monday, June 20, 2011

Texas Pecan Growers Workshop

The 90th Annual Texas Pecan Growers Workshop will be held in Frisco Texas July 10-13 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. There will be educational programs regarding pecan management, insect and diseases, markting, and other production applications as well as a trade show during the 4 day event. Contact the Texas Pecan Growers Association at pecans@tpga.org for a complete schedule and registration information.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Pesticide Applicator CEU Training - June 29

On Wednesday, June 29, Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Hunt and Rockwall Counties will sponsor a training that will allow private, non-commercial, and commercial applicators, with a license from the Texas Department of Agriculture to receive 5 hours of CEU's. Certified Crop Advisers will also receive 5 CEU hours.

Topics and speakers for the program will include:
Dr. Mike Merchant, Extension Urban Entomologist, Spiders and Insecticide Resistance;
Ms. Dee Lee Smith, Van Zandt County Extension Agent, Personal Safety with Pesticides
and Sun;
Mrs. Sara Allen, Hunt County Extension Agent, Pesticide Labeling;
Mr. Mike Yudisky, North Texas Poison Control, Bites and Stings of Summer.

Hours have been approved to be given as 3 hours Integrated Pest Management, 1 hour General and 1 hours Laws and Regulations.

The training will begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 6:00 p.m. at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center, 5501 Highway 69 South in Greenville. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. Participants must have their applicator license number or drivers license number for the registration process. There will be a $25 charge for all attending. Anyone with an interest in these topics is encouraged to attend, even if you are not needing the CEU credits. Anyone arriving 10 minutes after the program begins will not be awarded CEU credits.

As a reminder, if you are a Private Applicator, requirements include obtaining 15 hours of CEU's every 5 years. Credits must be obtained preceding license expiration. The 15 CEU's must include hours in Integrated Pest Management, Laws and Regulations, or Drift Management, as well as general.

Custom Agricultural Rate Survey Results

Texas AgriLife Extension Service has published online a survey of regional and state rates charged for custom agricultural operations.

To view rates for various custom operations, visit http://agecoext.tamu.edu/ .

The online publication is 34 pages. It includes data on tractor rental, tillage operations, planting operations, application of fertilizer and lime, chemicals-cotton harvesting, peanut harvesting, hauling and drying, combining and hauling grains, haying and silage operations, land preparation, brush control, other farm and ranch operations, miscellaneous livestock operations, and consulting services.

In January, a survey was distributed to select farmers, ranchers and landowners across the state. The results of the survey helped establish a baseline of rates statewide and further assist with questions inquiring about specific custom-hire activities. This data provides market information where information would otherwise be limited. This will help individuals by providing a range of rates for different services whether you are using or providing those services in your area.