AMARILLO — The 14th annual Panhandle Farm Management Symposium will be geared toward helping farmers and ranchers stay competitive in an ever-changing world of markets and production, according to Steve Amosson, farm management economist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
The conference is held each year in conjunction with the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show at the Amarillo Civic Center. Registration runs from 8 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2. The program starts by 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
“This year, we’ll be focused on the production and marketing uncertainties facing our producers,” said Jim Allison, agricultural Extension agent with Potter County.
The program features experts from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, the Extension Service, Texas Department of Agriculture, and industry representatives who will offer current information and management strategies designed to help the region’s farmers and ranchers remain competitive and plan for the future.
Three continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered in general, integrated pest management, and laws and regulations topics to private, commercial and non-commercial chemical applicators attending the morning session. Exhibits will highlight agricultural production technology and issues important to today’s farming and ranching families.
The opening session at 8:30 a.m., moderated by Allison, will feature Mark Brown, Lubbock County Extension agent, who will provide strategies for pest management in cotton production.
“Area producers are increasingly interested in soybeans, especially if we have another year like this one,” said Brent Bean, Extension agronomist at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center here, who will address production concerns and weed control.
Managing insect pests in soybeans will be the topic for Carl Patrick, Extension entomologist of Amarillo.
At 10:45 a.m., Mike Hare, toxicologist with TDA in Austin, will talk about the Food Quality Protection Act and its implications for Texas producers.
Following a noon break, a 1:30 p.m. session moderated by Bruce Blake, manager of the Bushland Co-op, will feature a discussion of such potential alternative crops for the Texas High Plains as canola, cotton, soybeans, sunflowers, and white wheat.
“Producers are doing everything they can to stay in business. That’s why alternatives and options are critically important,” said Amosson.
The Texas A&M System Agriculture Program, which includes research and Extension education programs, with support by the Texas Legislature, has led efforts to develop and implement two major state initiatives in risk management and in precision agriculture, Amosson explained.
“Precision agriculture: a one-year update” will be presented by Thomas Marek, research engineer with the Experiment Station and superintendent of the North Plains Research Field Station at Etter.
James D. Sartwelle III, Extension risk management specialist of Amarillo, will address strategic planning with FARM Assist, a long term, strategic planning tool now available to area producers.
Policy and marketing issues likely to challenge High Plains producers in 1999 will be addressed by Amosson, who concludes the program.
Sponsors of the symposium are the Potter County Extension Service Program Committee and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
For more information, contact Amosson, (806) 359-5401; or Allison, (806) 372-3829 or any county Extension agent.
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