Writer: Robert Burns (903) 834-6191,rd-burns@tamu.edu
Source: Dr. Gerald Evers (903) 834-6191
Dr. Larry Redmon (903) 834-6191,l-redmon@tamu.edu
OVERTON — The Texas A&M University research and Extension faculty will offer a six-hour short course on the establishment, economics, management and utilization of winter pastures for East Texas producers.
Scheduled to be presented in Tyler on Aug. 27, Crockett on Sept. 3 and Luling on Sept. 11, the short course will be the most complete program ever offered in East Texas, according to Dr. Gerald Evers of Overton, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station forage scientist.
“It also may well be the most important meeting East Texas livestock producers will attend this year,” said Larry Redmon, forage specialist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Though the practicality of winter pastures for East Texas has been discussed before, this meeting will address all factors in more detail. Plus, research teams at the Overton Center recently began examining new cool-season perennials, such as tall fescue, bromegrass and wheat grass. The program will include reports on these new winter pasture candidates, as well as in-depth reviews of the economics, management and utilization of traditional winter pasture forage species, such as rye, ryegrass, grass-legume mixtures and winter wheat.
This program should be of value to those with extensive experience with winter pastures as well as those who have never tried them, Redmon said.
“Done correctly, winter pastures have the potential to help you make more money or reduce your current costs,” he said.
“Done correctly” is the key. Producers need to look closely at the characteristics of different winter pasture forage species and match them to their operation. Considerations such as clover inoculation, fertility and the number of acres of winter pasture, are also important if winter pastures are to give a positive return on their establishment costs.
In addition to Redmon and Evers, a number of other Texas A&M speakers are scheduled. Dr. Don Dorsett of College Station, Experiment Station soil and crop scientist, will discuss such issues as matching the types of winter pasture species to the correct establishment method. Dr. Bill Ocumpaugh of Beeville, Experiment Station forage scientist, will discuss the adaptability of various legumes, their establishment, management and reseeding.
Other scheduled speakers include Drs. David Bade and Monte Rouquette. Bade will discuss how to match a particular class of animals to grazing systems and to stocking rates at the Crockett and Luling seminars. Rouquette will do a similar presentation at the Tyler meeting.
One continuing education unit in integrated pest management will be offered to pesticide applicators attending the meeting. Under state law, commercial and non-commercial applicators must obtain five CEU’s each year to maintain their licenses. Over a three-year period, applicators should accumulate 15 hours of CEU, with at least two CEU’s categorized as integrated pest management and two in laws and regulations.
Registration for the seminar is $25 if received by the pre-registration deadline. For the Tyler seminar, late registration continues at $30; pre-registration deadline for the Crockett seminar is Aug. 27; for the Luling meeting, Sept. 3. Send the registration fee to: Texas Forage and Grassland Council, Attention: Dana Tucker, P.O. Box 891, Georgetown, Texas 78627 or call (512) 238-0515.
Registration at the door for all locations will be $30, and begins at 8 a.m. The program at all locations will begin at 9 a.m. and end by 3 p.m.
In Tyler, the seminar will be held in the Bluebonnet Room at the Rose Garden Center. In Crockett, the seminar will be held at the Masonic Lodge. In Luling, the seminar will be held at the Riverside Clubhouse.
Those wishing more information should contact their local county Extension agent.
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