FORT WORTH — Producers faced with how to keep their cattle operations profitable this year should get some help at the North Central Texas Beef Cattle Symposium in Fort Worth on April 20.
“Coming out of the 1998 drought faced with more uncertain weather conditions in 1999, producers should be doing everything to maximize production efficiency,” said Dr. Ron Gill, livestock specialist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Gill will use live animals during the symposium to demonstrate the impact of body condition on re-breeding, weaning weights and herd health.
The theme of this year s symposium, to be held at the Will Rogers Complex, is “Y2K? What about 1999?”
The symposium begins with a panel that assesses the current situation for cattle producers. Panelists include John Merrill, rancher and former head of Texas Christian University’s Ranch Management School; Paul Branch, manager of Superior Livestock Auction, Inc.; and Jim Stefkovick of the National Weather Service Forecast Office. Commercial exhibitors displaying their newest products will be on hand to visit one-on-one with producers.
“Control of weeds in 1999 is critical to preventing weed infestation of pastures for years to come,” said Extension agronomist Dr. David Kee. Kee will be featured on the afternoon program to help participants identify weeds and brush species and discuss control methods. He will demonstrate sprayer calibration, address herbicide selection, drift, aeration, grazing management, fertility and quality hay production.
Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. with the program ending at 3 p.m. The $25 registration fee includes lunch and refreshments. Send checks payable to Family Matters to John South, CEA-Ag, 103 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Private pesticide applicators may earn two Continuing Education Units for participation in the afternoon session. For more information, call (817) 884-1946.
-30-