Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Ranch Management University



The fall session of Ranch Management University is rapidly approaching and limited seating is beginning to fill up, according to Dr. Larry Redmon, workshop coordinator and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state forage specialist.
The five-day program targeting novice landowners is scheduled Oct. 29-Nov. 2 at the G. Rollie White Visitor’s Center on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.
“This unique workshop provides a foundation of knowledge for those who are new to owning land in Texas,” Redmon said. “It is designed to help new landowners improve their understanding regarding management of the various resources they find on their ranch properties.”
Registration is $500 and attendance is limited to the first 40 people who enroll. To register online and to obtain additional information, go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu  and enter “ranch management” as the keyword.
The fall workshop topics include: soils and soil fertility, forage species selection, hay production, weed and brush management, winter pasture establishment and utilization, beef cattle breed selection, nutrient requirements and feeding strategies for livestock, grazing management strategies, live-animal handling and demonstrations of vaccinating, dehorning and cattle castration.
There will be sessions on sheep and goat production and management, as well as a session for horse owners.
“An agricultural economist will also be part of the agenda, discussing a number of topics including how to plan for profit, how to develop a marketing plan and a look at alternative enterprises,” Redmon said.
Several wildlife management topics are also on the agenda, ranging from white-tailed deer and turkey management to fisheries management in ranch ponds and feral hog control.
Meals and break refreshments are covered by the registration cost, as well as a resource CD containing more than 100 publications covering ranch resource management.
For additional information, contact Redmon at 979-845-4826 or l-redmon@tamu.edu .

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Hunt County Hay Show


The Hunt County Hay Show and program will be Thursday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. A $10 ticket is required to attend the event. Tickets are available at the Hunt County Extension Office. Please call 903-455-9885 Ext. 61 for further information.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Pasture Management Program

Wednesday, April 18, 2012


PASTURE MANAGEMENT AFTER THE DROUGHT


SCHEDULE

9:30 a.m. Registration at Brandstetter Farms

(Directions follow)2298 Fannin Street, Greenville, Texas

10:00 a.m. Weed Control for Pastures & Hayfields

Brant Mettler—Dow Agro Sciences

* View & Discuss Weed Control Demonstration Plots

* Weed Identification (bring your samples)

* Herbicide Update

View and Discuss Fertilizer Demonstrations

Freddie Dale - Northeast TX Farmers Coop

How to Take A Soil Test

Sara Allen - County Extension Agent-Hunt County

LUNCH BREAK - on your own

1:00 p.m. Fletcher Warren Civic Center

Grazing Management: Optimum Utilization of Forage Resources

John Carpenter - National Forage and Wildlife Sales & Product Manager Pennington Seed

* Forage Varieties

* Inputs, Resources, Utilization

* Developing a Profitable Forage Program

3 CEU hours for Pesticide Applicators attending the entire program. Morning and Afternoon credits available as well.

Bring a lawn chair for morning session.

Event Sponsored by :
Northeast Texas Farmers Coop
Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Hunt County
Dow Agro Science
Pennington Seed

Free to the Public

For more information call 903-455-9885


ED BRANDSTETTER’S PLACE

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE:

Take Lee St. East out of downtown Greenville.
Turn Left on Forrester St. (FM 499)(just before getting to I-30)
Turn Left on Fannin St. (FM 118)
Drive up to RR tracks but do not cross. Turn right onto red gravel road
running alongside South side of RR tracks
Proceed about ½ mile.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-30 GREENVILLE:

Take exit 96 off of Interstate 30
Turn onto Lee St. (Spur 302) heading toward Greenville
Turn right onto Forrester St. (FM 499)
Turn left onto Fannin St. (FM 118)
Drive up to RR tracks but do not cross. Turn right onto red gravel road
running alongside South side of RR tracks
Proceed about ½ mile.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Statewide Rebuilding the Beef Herd Program

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is beginning a statewide educational initiative "Rebuilding the Beef Herd" focusing on rebuilding breeding cattle numbers within the state.

For the past two decades, there has been a continual decline in cattle numbers. The historic drought of 2011 dramatically accentuated that trend. Other factors such as competing land use, economics and availability of financing have all contributed to the decline.

In this initiative, there will be five areas of focus:
- Challenges in Agriculture Financing
- Forage Recovery
- Options for Replacements
- Value of Replacements
- Generational Turnover

To start this initiative off there will be a series of in-depth, educational programs held across the state. These programs will be held beginning in the month of April and will continue throughout the year.

Cost to attend is $40 if registered in advance and $50 to rester on-site.

For topics covered in each of these programs and for more information, please visit the link below.

http://rebuilding.tamu.edu

If you are not able to click on the link, copy and paste it into your web address bar. If you have any questions please feel free to reach us at 979-845-6931 or by email at extansc@ag.tamu.edu.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

2012 Statewide Artificial Insemination and Pregnancy Determination Schools

In order to provide practical and relevant education and service to ranchers, Texas AgriLife Extension works closely with industry groups to offer educational programs in artificial insemination (AI) and pregnancy determination in cattle.

In addition to the actual, hands-on training using live cattle in these two techniques, participants will devote half of their time to classroom instruction in herd management. Topics covered include:

anatomy and physiology of reproduction,
principles and techniques of artificial insemination,
management application and techniques of pregnancy determination,
semen handling and thawing,
estrous synchronization,
selection and time of the breeding season to optimize fertility,
successful feeding and mineral programs for the breeding her,
genetic selection and record keeping programs,
replacement heifer development and management,
management to avoid calving problems, and
herd health programs.

Participants are given a comprehensive manual on AI technique and management. School curriculum time also is devoted to other subjects, and participants are given an introduction to the Texas Beef Cattle Management Handbook with information on securing a personal copy.

To be eligible for training in pregnancy determination, participants must have had previous AI training or be concurrently enrolled in AI training. Training received from any of the major AI companies or a college/university course will satisfy this requirement.

Prices for the specialized training are variable and depend upon the choice of the sponsoring company:

AI and pregnancy determination (taken concurrently from either company) - $700
Artificial insemination (taken alone – Bovine Elite, LLC) - $400

The registration fees are necessary to defray the expenses associated with the technical training. Registration normally begins at 8:00 a.m. on the first morning of the school except for weekend schools which start at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. All participants must complete a practical examination in each technique on the last afternoon of the school.

It is imperative that participants contact the school coordinator at least two weeks in advance, since schools not having the minimum number of participants may be canceled. Advance registration is requested and can be obtained by contacting the appropriate coordinator at one of the following phone numbers or Web sites. All companies require a deposit with advanced registration which will be applied to the full registration amount.

American Breeders Service
Vernon Fredrich (940.727.1056) - fbsvern@ntin.net
Max Payne (806.669.4284) - mkpayne@wildblue.net

Bovine Elite, LLC
Carl Rugg
979.693.0388
http://www.bovine-elite.com/aipalp.asp

The schedule below indicates the schools that have been scheduled for 2012. The date, location (town/city), and sponsoring company are listed. The exact location for the school should be obtained from the respective clinic coordinator.
Location Company Date
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC Feb. 7-10, 2012
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC April 10-13, 2012
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC May 8-11, 2012
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC June 5-8, 2012
Gainesville American Breeders Srvc June 19-20, 2012*
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC July 10-13, 2012
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC Sept. 11-14, 2012
Clarendon American Breeders Srvc Oct. 1-4, 2012**
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC Oct. 16-19, 2012
College Station Bovine Elite, LLC Nov. 13-16, 2012
*Contact Vernon Fredrich at 940.727.1056 or fbsvern@ntin.net.
**Contact Max Payne at 806.669.4284 or mkpayne@wildblue.net.

Bovine Elite, LLC contact: Carl Rugg at 979.693.0388 or http://www.bovine-elite.com/aipalp.asp