AgriLife Extension Wildlife & Fisheries
AgriLife Extension Wildlife & FisheriesTeaching, Research, Extension and Service

Registration open for Birding the Border program

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April 22-26 program to feature sites in Kinney, Val Verde counties

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Dr. Maureen Frank, 830-278-9151, mgfrank@tamu.edu

Emily Grant, 830-774-7591, emily.grant@ag.tamu.edu

DEL RIO – Registration is open for the Birding the Border program to be presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service from April 22-26 at locations in Kinney and Val Verde counties.

Birding locations include sites at private ranches, Devil’s River State Natural Area and Kickapoo Caverns State Park, San Felipe Creek and Vega Verde Road.

The Birding the Border program is for both novice and experienced birders. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service graphic)

“The goal of this program is to provide a unique birding experience in southwest Texas that goes beyond a typical birding tour,” said Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde. “It will feature both public and private lands, and educational talks about bird ecology and management.”

Frank said while she expects many experienced birders to attend this program, birders of all experience levels are welcome to participate.

“At the 2018 Birding the Border program, participants saw more than 130 bird species,” she said. “The birding experience also provides numerous photographic opportunities for those who would like to bring cameras.”

Birders watch for “target birds” during one of the Birding the Border programs. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Frank said “target birds” for sighting at the 2019 program include the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, white-collared seedeater, gray vireo, green jay, great kiskadee, varied bunting, elf owl and three species of kingfishers.

The program also includes presentations on bird biology, habitat and behavior.

Lodging for four nights and meals will be provided to those who want it, and transportation to the various sites is free for all participants. Participation will be limited to 16 people.

If no lodging is wanted, the cost will be $650 per person. For a double room, the cost is $750 per person. For a single room, the cost is $850. To register online, go to https://valverdeextension.ticketleap.com.

Program tours will begin at 5 p.m. April 22 and conclude at 11:30 a.m. April 26.

Frank said field trips will include easy-to-moderate terrain and a combination of walks, short-to-moderate hikes and roadside birding.

“April in southwest Texas usually offers beautiful weather with warm days and mild nights, but rain is possible,” she said. “Please check the weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly.”

For more program information, go to https://valverde.agrilife.org/birding-the-border/ .

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Integrated pest management CEU program set for Nov. 7 in Nacogdoches

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NACOGDOCHES – A continuing education course for agriculture producers, workers, landowners and ranchers will be held Nov. 7 in Nacogdoches.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. inside the Nacogdoches Expo Center, 3805 NW Stallings Drive. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service course begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.

Cost is $30 for attendees registered by Nov. 1 and $35 on the day of the event. Mail registration to the AgriLife Extension office in Nacogdoches County, 203 W. Main St., Nacogdoches, 75961.

Five continuing education units will be available, including one drift minimization, one laws and regulations, and three general. An agricultural trade show including vendors such as Heritage Land Bank, Rozell Sprayer Manufacturing Co., Express Scale Services, Shelby Savings Bank and more will be onsite during the program.

A barbecue lunch will be provided.

Speakers and topics to be discussed include:

–        Dr. Allen Knutson, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Dallas, Controlling Pasture Insects.

–        Daniel Mielke, Corteva Agrisciences representative, Rudolph, Wisconsin, Herbicide Recommendations and Updates.

–        Dr. Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension range specialist, College Station, Herbicide Application.

–        Dr. Don Renchie, AgriLife Extension pest management program director, College Station, Pesticide Laws and Regulations Updates.

–        Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall, Predator Management, including M-44 and Livestock Protection Collars.

“This event is a great opportunity for applicator license holders to get five CEUs and hear from some the top scientists in pest and weed management,” said Ricky Thompson, AgriLife Extension agent, Nacogdoches County.

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Menard County Range Workshop set for Oct. 3

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Media contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

MENARD – The 2018 Menard County Range Workshop sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District is set for Oct. 3 at the Murchison/Whitehead Memorial Youth Complex, 190 W. U.S. Highway 190 in Menard.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the program starting at 8 a.m. Cost is $25 per person or $35 per couple. Lunch is included and sponsored by Capital Farm Credit. Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered: two integrated pest management, two general and one laws and regulations.

“From range management and current leasing legal issues to predator control, we have a variety of topics that will be of interest to all producers,” said Lisa Brown, AgriLife Extension agent for Menard County.

Topics and speakers will be:

– Individual Plant Treatment and Sprayer Calibration, Dr. Bob Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde.

– Leasing Laws, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, Amarillo.

– Predator Control Using Livestock Guardian Dogs, Bob Buchholz, rancher.

– Chemical Management of Live Oak Wilt, Dr. David Appel, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathologist, College Station.

– Wild Pig Management, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall.

– Identifying and Treating Mexican Needle Grass, Dr. Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension range specialist, College Station.

 

To register, call 325-396-4708 or 325-396-4787 by Oct. 2.

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Multi-County Wildlife Management Workshop slated for Oct. 17 in Luling

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Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Julie Zimmerman, 512-398-3122, julie.zimmerman@ag.tamu.edu

LULING – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and others will present the Multi-County Wildlife Management Workshop Oct. 17 at the Luling Foundation Farm, 523 S. Mulberry in Luling.

There will be a Multi-County Wildlife Management Workshop on Oct. 17 in Luling. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The workshop will begin with registration from 7:45-8:15 a.m., followed by a welcome and presentations to start at 8:20 a.m. The program will conclude at 3:30 p.m.

“Presentations relating to wildlife management will be given by AgriLife Extension personnel as well as experts from the Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Meadows Center,” said Julie Zimmerman, AgriLife Extension agent, Caldwell County.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units —  one integrated pest management, one laws and regulations and one general — will be offered to commercial, non-commercial and private pesticide applicators.

There is an early bird registration fee of $15 for registration by Oct. 11. Payment is by check only, payable to “Demonstration Fund” and delivered or mailed to the AgriLife Extension office in Caldwell County, 1403-B Blackjack St., Lockhart, Texas 78644.

On-site registration will be $25, payable by check or cash. No credit cards will be accepted.

Morning workshop topics and presenters will be:

— Wildlife Rules and Regulations, Joann Garza-Mayberry, Texas Game Warden.

— Wildlife Group Membership and Legislative Updates for 2019 Session, David Yeates, CEO, Texas Wildlife Association.

— Range Herbicide Labels and Product Use, Dr. Bob Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde.

— Wildlife Habitat Management and Doe Population, Robert Trudeau, wildlife biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. attendees will have lunch, participate in a tabletop discussion and have the opportunity to visit educational booths. From 12:45 – 1:15 p.m., tabletop discussion reports will be presented, and there will be an “ask an expert” segment in which they may have questions about wildlife answered.

Afternoon workshop topics and presents will be:

— Nature Tourism: Integrating Alternative Income from Wildlife, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension state wildlife specialist, Thrall.

— Wild Pig Management – Balancing Population Control and Game Use, Jacob Hetzel, wildlife biologist, Texas Wildlife Services/U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

— Regional Approach to Wild Pig Management, Nick Dornak, watershed services program manager, Meadows Center.

Afternoon presentations will be followed by a short wrap-up and evaluation.

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AgriLife Extension sets Concho Valley Wild Pig Management Workshop Sept. 12 in San Angelo

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Concho Valley Wild Pig Management Workshop on Sept. 12 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo.

The center is located north of town on U.S. Highway 87. The free multi-county workshop opens at 8:30 a.m. with registration, followed by the program from 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

The AgriLife Extension counties involved with the event are Tom Green, Irion, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Concho and Schleicher.

This event is provided through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Coke County Livestock and Wildlife Protection Association and the Sterling Wildlife Conservation Association.

RSVP before Sept. 7 to any of the participating AgriLife Extension offices. More information is available there or by contacting Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County, at 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu .

Four general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered.

“The old axiom about two kinds of landowners — those with feral hogs and those who are about to — sure rings true in our area,” Blanek said. “We’ve seen a huge influx of the pests here in recent years, which is the reason we are having this workshop and involving so many counties.

“Our goal is to bring landowners, managers and really, anyone facing the influx, abreast of the situation and what can be done to manage it.”

Topics and speakers will include:

-Wild Pig Biology, Impacts and Control, Josh Helcel, AgriLife Extension associate with Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Burnet. Helcel will discuss the biology and impact feral hogs have on the environment and discuss control options including trapping and exclusion fencing.

-Wild Pig Safety and Disease Concerns, Dr. Pete Fincher, veterinarian, Texas Animal Health Commission, Region 6 director, Lampasas. Fincher will discuss health concerns for humans, livestock and wildlife, to include the hunting, handling and processing of feral swine.

-Development of an Oral Toxicant for Wild Pigs, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall. Tomecek will speak on new developments and projected uses of oral agents for wild pig control once they become available, including their proper use and rules and regulations.

-Wild Pig Trapping and Snaring Demonstration, Doug Steen, Texas Wildlife Services district supervisor, San Angelo. Steen, along with Helcel and Tomecek, will talk about and show different methods to control wild pigs through the proper use of baits, traps and snares.

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Texas Master Naturalist program seeks applicants

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Mary Pearl Meuth, 979-845-7294 or mpmeuth@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Twenty Texas Master Naturalist chapters will be conducting training classes in fall and winter for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource and conservation management, said the program’s assistant state coordinator.

Mary Pearl Meuth, College Station, said the Texas Master Naturalist program has 48 chapters across the state tasked with developing a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers.

She said the Texas Master Naturalist program is a collaborative effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“We train citizen volunteers on the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the betterment of all Texans,” Meuth said.

The main qualification for a Texas Master Naturalist certification is an interest in learning about and playing an active part in conservation, she said. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of basic training from educators and specialists from universities, natural resource agencies, nature centers and museums.

Training topics include evaluation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas and natural systems management.

Once certified, Meuth said volunteers are asked to provide 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects to maintain certification as a Texas Master Naturalist. They are also expected to pursue a minimum of eight hours of advanced training in areas of personal interest.

“Invariably, many volunteers will go above and beyond their basic requirements once involved, and develop personal projects connecting to the mission of the chapter and statewide program,” Meuth said.

For a complete list of the 20 chapters offering volunteer training this fall go to: www.txmn.org.

Meuth said enrollment is limited in most chapters and registration deadlines for some chapters are fast approaching, so early registration is advised.

For more information about existing chapters or forming a new chapter, contact Meuth at  mpmeuth@tamu.edu, or 979-845-7294.

For a more in-depth look at the program, Meuth encourages prospective volunteers to view the various videos on the 20th Anniversary YouTube playlist at https://tinyurl.com/y8my8jpw or follow the organization on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TexasMasterNaturalistProgram/ .

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As posted on AgriLife Today: https://today.agrilife.org/2018/07/24/texas-master-naturalist-program-seeks-applicants-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AgrilifeToday+%28AgriLife+Today%29

Urban Wildlife Series sessions to be presented in July, August

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Native plants, water conservation and Medina River tour among offerings  

July 17, 2018

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Sam Womble, 210-631-0400, sam.womble@ag.tamu.edu

SAN ANTONIO — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present two of its 2018 Urban Wildlife Series sessions in San Antonio during July and August.

The registration fee for each is $10.

Native and adaptive plants that use less water can be excellent choices for landscaping. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The first session, titled “Every Drop Counts,” will be from 10 a.m.-noon July 31 at the Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 N.W. Military Highway. This session will address native plants and water conservation.

The second session, from 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 14, will be a field trip to the Medina River Natural Area, 15890 Highway 16 S. Attendees will meet at the area’s pavilion. Breakfast will be from 8-9 a.m. with tour and program from 9-noon.

Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde, and Matt Reidy, wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, Devine, will present on birding. Lee Marlowe and Shaun Donovan with the San Antonio River Authority will present on aquatic vegetation and water quality and testing..

To RSVP for these sessions, contact Carrie Huntzinger at 210-631-0400 or chuntzinger@ag.tamu.edu. Make checks payable to Bexar Ag & Natural Resources Committee. Mail registration fee to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 212, San Antonio, TX 78230.

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Mark calendars for Texas Master Naturalist 20 year anniversary gala

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Oct. 25 event to be in Georgetown

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Mary Pearl Meuth, 979-845-7294, mpmeuth@tamu.edu

GEORGETOWN – With sizzling hot temperatures blanketing the state, the Texas Master Naturalist program hopes to cool things down with the announcement of their 20th Anniversary Gala, coordinators said.  

The event will be the evening of Oct. 25 at the Sheraton Georgetown located off Interstate 35 and State Highway 29 at Georgetown. The Texas Master Naturalist program is a collaborative effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Texas Master Naturalist Endowment Fund. The fund’s mission includes enhancing the Texas Master Naturalist Program, its chapters and volunteers, now and into the future, for the benefit of natural resource education, conservation and stewardship, said Mary Pearl Meuth, AgriLife Extension Texas Master Naturalist program coordinator at College Station.

“We urge everyone interested in preserving our state’s native flora and fauna to mark their calendars now for this event,” Meuth said. “This celebration will be one to remember, with a live band, a variety of live and silent auction items and a celebratory presentation by founding Texas Master Naturalists — all befitting our organization’s 20th anniversary. It will be a really cool affair to look forward to this fall as we head into what thus far promises to be a blistering hot summer.”

Michelle Haggerty, state program coordinator at Kerrville, said for the past 20 years the Texas Master Naturalist Program has trained more than 11,000 individuals who have contributed more than 4 million hours of volunteer service. That service includes time spent restoring native habitats, creating outreach events educating the public, building community awareness, conducting research and citizen science efforts while working with state agencies alongside local partnership organizations.

“What makes the work of a Master Naturalist so important is they are not only individuals who love nature and offer their time, but they are trained naturalists with specialized knowledge of different ecosystems, species, habitats and environmental demands,” she said.

Haggerty, who works for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said the mission of the organization is to develop a local corps of master volunteers to provide service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within the volunteers’ own Texas communities.

For more information about the gala, go to https://masternaturalistendowment.org/20th-anniversary-gala/ .

For more information about the endowment, go to https://masternaturalistendowment.org/ .

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Stiles Farm Field Day set for June 19 in Thrall

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THRALL – Feral hog trapping, soybean performance in the Blacklands, pecan tree management and the latest farm bill information will all be discussed at the Stiles Farm Field Day scheduled June 19 in Thrall.

The field day is hosted by the Stiles Farm Foundation and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. There is no registration fee courtesy of the Williamson County Farm Bureau. Lunch and door prizes will be provided to field day participants courtesy of local agribusiness sponsors.

The Stiles Farm Field Day is set for June 19 at the Stiles Farm in Thrall. The program features a number of cropping updates affecting Blacklands producers. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Two continuing education units will be given for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license holders: one general and one integrated pest management.

“This year’s field day will feature topics of interest to a variety of producers and landowners in the Blacklands,” said Ryan Collett, farm manager and AgriLife Extension specialist. “The program is geared towards helping Blackland producers stay current with new technology and learn more about operating efficiencies during times of low commodity prices.

“But, with pecan management, fence building and feral hog trapping presentations, we think there is something of interest for everyone.”

Morning session topics and AgriLife Extension speakers include:

–    Tips For Success with Feral Hog Trapping, Dr. John Tomecek, wildlife specialist, San Angelo.

–    Innovations in Cotton, Dr. Gaylon Morgan, state cotton specialist, College Station.

–    Cotton Pest Management Update, Dr. David Kerns, statewide integrated pest management coordinator, College Station.

–    Can Soybeans Work in the Blacklands?, Dr. Ronnie Schnell, cropping system specialist, College Station.

–    Cotton Fertility and Cover Crop Management, Dr. Jake Mower, soil specialist, College Station.

–    Row Crop Weed Identification and Management, Dr. Scott Nolte, state weed specialist, College Station.

Afternoon sessions will include:

–    Farm Bill Update at KC Hall, Dr. Joe Outlaw, AgriLife Extension economist, College Station.

–    Pecan Production in the Blacklands, Dr. Monte Nesbitt, horticultural specialist, College Station.

–    Stay Tuff Fence Building Demonstration.

The noon meal and program will feature the presentation of the Agriculturalist of the Year and Stiles Farm Foundation scholarships.

The Stiles Farm Foundation was established by the Stiles family at Thrall in Williamson County. According to the foundation, J.V. and H.A. Stiles wanted to commemorate their father, James E. Stiles, and the land he worked. They also wanted to help neighboring farmers and others throughout the Central Texas Blacklands region learn new farming practices.

In 1961, the Stiles Farm Foundation was established and became part of the Texas A&M University System. The farm is used by AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, which conduct field experiments and use the facility as a teaching platform.

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Urban Wildlife Series programs will be June through August in San Antonio

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Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Sam Womble, 210-631-0400, sam.womble@ag.tamu.edu

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas will present a series of urban wildlife education programs with water resources as its main focus.

Riparian areas that are a natural occurrence along creeks and around ponds provide the basics for both wildlife and livestock � water, shade, cover and food. (Texas AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)

Wildlife and water will be the focus of the Urban Wildlife Series from June to August in San Antonio. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The Urban Wildlife Series runs from June 14 to Aug. 14 in San Antonio.

“The Bexar County Ag and Natural Resources Committee is sponsoring this program,” said Sam Womble, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent, Bexar County. “Last year, we had a very successful series of wildlife educational programs targeting urban residents. This year, we are expanding on that effort by collaborating with the San Antonio River Authority, or SARA, and Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.”

Womble said series programs will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Program dates, topics, locations and presenters will be:

— June 14, Why Conservation Matters for People and Wildlife and San Antonio River Authority and the Clean River Program, AgriLife Extension office for Bexar County, Conroy Square business complex, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive, Suite 208. This program will be presented by Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde; and Amanda Nasto, environmental investigations coordinator, and Shawn Donovan, senior aquatic biologist, both from San Antonio River Authority.

— June 28, Water and Wildlife of Texas, AgriLife Extension office, Bexar County. This program will be presented by Frank, along with Jessica Alderson, urban biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Antonio.

— July 10, Stormwater Management for Wildlife and Water Quality; Ponds, Birdbaths and Wildlife, Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 N.W. Military Drive. This program will be presented by Frank, along with Lee Marlowe, sustainable landscape ecologist, SARA.

— July 31, Native Plants and Water Conservation, Urban Ecology Center, Phil Hardberger Park. This program will be presented by Forrest Cobb, research assistant, and Amy Carroll, senior programmer, both with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, San Antonio.

— Aug. 14, Field trip (TBD). This program will be presented by Frank, along with Matt Reidy, wildlife biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Devine.

The cost is $10 per program or $25 for the series, payable at the door. The deadline for registration is June 8. To reserve a spot, contact Denise Perez at 210-631-0400 or dsperez@ag.tamu.edu.

Make checks payable to Bexar Ag and Natural Resources Committee and mail to: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive, Suite 212, San Antonio, Texas, 78230.

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Cancelled: AgriLife Extension’s Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference set May 3-4 in San Angelo

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Editor’s note: The following educational program has been cancelled:

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – The Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference set May 3-4 in San Angelo at the McNease Convention Center and the accompanying tour of area ranches has been cancelled, the conference coordinator said.

“Members of the planning committee decided to cancel this week’s Bennett Trust program in San Angelo,” said Josh Blanek, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent in Tom Green County.

“We are postponing this event to a later date in order to fully capture the land stewardship audience and address emerging issues.”

Bennett Trust Land Stewardship educational activities are funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett Endowment, and are hosted by AgriLife Extension.

For more information, contact Blanek at 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu.

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AgriLife Extension’s Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 sets tour of historic ranches

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – Attendees to  the upcoming Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo are in for the rare treat of touring two area ranches, the conference coordinator said.

“We will be touring two historic Concho Valley ranches — the Duff Ranch and the Head of the River Ranch — the second day of the event and ending the conference that evening at the beautiful Christoval Winery,” said Josh Blanek, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent in Tom Green County.

The conference, funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett Endowment and hosted by AgriLife Extension, will start at 8 a.m. May 3 in San Angelo’s McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive. The May 4 tour portion will also depart from the convention center after an on-site breakfast served at 7:30 a.m.

The historic Head of the River Ranch near Christoval will be part of the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

Individual registration for the public event is $75. Registration will be accepted the day of the event. More information on the trust and complete conference information is available at https://agrilife.org/bennetttrust/ or by contacting Blanek at 325-659-6523.

The first tour stop will be on the Duff Ranch, which recently received the Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Award for continuous operation by the same family for 100 years. Stops on the ranch will feature various aspects of responsible brush management, Blanek said.

“We’ll see examples of the benefits of prescribed fire on southern Tom Green County rangeland and see pasture being prepared with fire breaks for future burning as well as recently burned sites and another site two years post-burn,” Blanek said.

“Dr. Morgan Russell, AgriLife Extension range specialist at San Angelo, will also be on hand to demonstrate individual plant treatment equipment and explain the latest in chemical brush control using these methods. Trip Hallman of the ranch will discuss how landowners can work with energy companies to benefit their properties.”

After lunch served at the Duff Ranch headquarters, the tour will travel to the Head of the River Ranch, a property Blanek described as being steeped in a rich history.

“This beautiful ranch is where the South Concho River originates from springs bubbling from the rock,” he said. “Ryland Howard and son Anson will discuss the ranch’s considerable history, which includes the beginnings of the American quarter horse. We’ll also hear how the owners plan to pass the ranch down to future generations through well thought out successional plans.”

Other presentations at the ranch will include discussions of establishing riparian buffers, and livestock and wildlife management in the ranch’s riparian areas. Speakers will be Dr. Reid Redden, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo, and Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at Thrall.

“The tour’s last stop is the Christoval Winery, located among the large live oak trees on the South Concho River,” Blanek said. “There participants will end the conference in high style while being treated to a wine production and wine tasting session before traveling back to the convention center in San Angelo.”

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AgriLife Extension’s Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo

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Water conservation, livestock watering options to be discussed

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO — The Texas Water Development Board reports San Angelo’s average annual rainfall as 21.3 inches; that’s 13.27 gallons per square foot a year or 578,037 gallons per acre.

How to make the most of that water, not only to grow forage but also to water livestock and wildlife in a semi-arid climate, will be among several topics discussed May 3-4 during the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference in San Angelo’s McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive.

The conference is funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett Endowment and hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Cost of the two-day conference is $75, which includes all training materials and meals.

Solar-powered pumping systems will be among the topics covered during the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

More information on the trust and conference is available at https://agrilife.org/bennetttrust/ or by contacting Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County and event coordinator, at 325-659-6523 or j-blanek@tamu.edu.

“Obviously, livestock and wildlife should have access to clean, fresh water every day,” said Dr. Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist at Fort Stockton. “But on ranches that depend solely on the capture of surface water, it becomes more critical during drought. We often hear of livestock being sold, not because the ranch ran out of grass but because it ran out of surface water.”

Carpenter’s talk on ranch water resource development will couple with a solar-powered pump discussion by Charles Swanson, AgriLife Extension landscape irrigation program specialist at College Station.

“West Texas is among the sunniest regions in the nation, making it ideal for solar-powered water well systems,” Swanson said. “Designing and selecting a solar-powered pumping system can be rather simple if you know your pumping needs like pressures and flows. These are easy to learn and will be something I’ll cover during the conference program.”

Blanek said this is the first time the conference will be in San Angelo.

“We’re very excited to have the opportunity to host this event, which will include not only classroom instruction, but a tour to two area ranches to see first-hand conservation practices in action,” Blanek said.

The first day starts at the convention center with breakfast and registration at 8 a.m. followed by the ranch water presentations and talks on livestock guardian dogs, agricultural law issues, prescribed fire, individual brush management practices and ranch rainwater harvesting.

Afternoon topics will include Edwards Plateau geology, integrating livestock and wildlife, and introduced grasses for the region. The day’s activities will end with dinner and entertainment.

The second day will start with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast followed by a ranch tour designed to demonstrate the previous day’s educational efforts. Stops at the Head of the River Ranch and Duff Ranch will include examples of livestock/wildlife compatibility, discussion on water resources, individual plant treatment and prescribed fire, and a look at introduced grasses.

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Hill Country event to address land stewardship April 26-27 in Kerrville

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Conference topics include tax valuations, fencing laws, hunting leases, among others

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Larry Redmon, 979-845-4826, l-redmon@tamu.edu

KERRVILLE – Landowners may understand stocking rates and managing grass, but what about the latest on fence laws, wildlife tax valuations and hunting leases?

The fifth annual Hill Country Land Stewardship Conference hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service April 26-27 in Kerrville offers a chance for landowners in the region to learn more about these and more topics, said Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension program leader, College Station.

“Tools for the Trade” is the theme of the annual event featuring speakers on everything from grazing to prescribed fire and herbicide control to legal issues,” said Redmon, who is also associate department head in the Texas A&M University department of soil and crop sciences in College Station.

The conference will open with on-site registration, check-in and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. April 26 at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel, 2033 Sidney Baker St. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The conference fee is $75 and includes all meals, break refreshments and tour transportation costs. Registration will be available through April 20 at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/BennettTrust or 979-845-2604.

Redmon said several speakers will offer insight on some of the less-thought-of aspects of ranching or land ownership.

“Hunting Leases: Hunting for Success” will be discussed by Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall. He will also speak to the “Ag or Wildlife Tax Valuation: What Your Choice Ultimately Means” issue.

Another guest speaker will be Jim Bradbury, Austin attorney, who will present “Fence Laws: How to Not Get Your Britches Ripped.”

Other topics and speakers include:

— Grazing Livestock: Cattle, Goats, Sheep and Wildlife, Dr. Robert Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde.

— Prescribed Fire: Rejuvenate and Prevent Wildfire, Dr. Morgan Russell, AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo.

— Herbicide Control Options: Is it Necessary?, Dr. Megan Clayton, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Corpus Christi.

— Setting Some Goals: Knowing When To Do Nothing, Clayton.

— U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency – Resources/Programs, Ricky Neffendorf, Farm Service Agency county executive director, Fredericksburg.

— Wildlife Signs and ID’s, Annaliese Scoggin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist, Abilene.

— Rural Living: How Population Increases in the Edwards Plateau Will Affect You, Dr. Rebekka Dudensing, AgriLife Extension economist, College Station.

The second day of the conference will be dedicated to tours. Attendees will pick from tours of the Hillingdon Ranch in Kendall County, “Wine and Roses” in Kerr and Gillespie counties, or the Kerr Wildlife Management Area in Kerr County.

For more information, contact Linda Francis at L-francis@tamu.edu or an AgriLife Extension agent in the region, or go to http://agrilife.org/bennetttrust/.

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WFS Academy — To the Future

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On February 13th and 14th, a total of forty-five participants, including Texas Master Naturalists and the general public, attended the first annual Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist Academy. The workshop, presented by Dr. Todd Sink, Dr. John Tomecek and Dr. Maureen Frank, covered topics focused on Aquatic Vegetation and Wildlife Management over the 2 days of attendance. The event is designed to provide advanced training to volunteers who can then support or expand specific county educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Wildlife and Fisheries Extension Unit.

(Day One of the WFS Academy)

 

Here’s what some of our attendees had to say about the event:

“So much information that was so darn interesting. The speakers were excellent and I enjoyed both days very much.”

 “I liked the ability to learn and ask questions about Texas ecosystems – plants and animals.”

 

More Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist Academies will be held in the future. Keep an eye out for other training opportunities to come. Postings will be made on our website and on our social media platforms. https://wildlife.tamu.edu

You can also contact your local Extension agent to see if there are any trainings happening in your area. For contact information for your local County Extension Agent, visit the AgriLife People website at https://agrilifepeople.tamu.edu/.

We look forward to sharing more natural resource conservation workshops in the future.