SAN ANGELO — This year’s six-county West Texas Ranchers’ Conference is set for Nov. 10 at Angelo State University’s Management, Instruction, and Research Center from 8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Three continuing education units will be offered for those who hold a pesticide applicator’s license. The conference is being sponsored by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service offices in Tom Green, Runnels, Irion, Sterling, Schleicher and Concho counties.
“Traditional West Texas ranching is fast becoming a thing of the past,” said Jeff Ripley, Tom Green County Extension agent and a conference coordinator. “The continuing dry weather and low livestock returns have forced many area ranchers to look seriously at other income avenues.
“This conference looks directly at several of these alternatives. It is the most diversified program of its type we’ve ever offered. We’ll be covering everything from the legislative outlook with State Rep. Rob Junell to wildlife and nature tourism. We’ll also delve into maximizing livestock profit by using such things as integrated parasite control, cull cow management, and knowing what packer cow buyers are looking for.
“There will even be a trade show and live animal demonstrations. We feel this conference is the most comprehensive ranch program that has come along in quite some time. All area landowners and ranch operators should make this conference a priority,” he said.
In addition to Junell, speakers include Dr. Ted McCollum, Amarillo-based Extension beef cattle specialist, veterinarian Wes Bonner, manager with Veribest Cattle Feeders, Vernon Fritze of San Angelo Packing Co., and Dr. Buddy Faries, Extension veterinarian of College Station.
Two concurrent sessions feature presentations on such topics as nature tourism, wildlife as a ranch enterprise, liability issues, and marketing. Livestock presentations include such topics as basic parasite management and using cheap grain for ranch feeder operations. An afternoon session features ways to maximize returns from cull cows. The remainder of the program will be two live animal demonstrations to show what cow buyers are looking for and how to assist with difficult calving.
Registration is $10 per person. Call the Tom Green County Extension Office, (915)659-6524 before Nov. 3 to pre-register.
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