BIG COUNTRY WHEAT CONFERENCE SET IN ABILENE AUG. 22

Writer: Steve Byrns, (915) 653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu

ABILENE – The Big Country Wheat Conference sponsored by Texas Cooperative Extension is set for Aug. 22 in the Abilene Civic Center. This year’s theme is “Wheat Profitability–Is it Possible?”

Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. for the day-long program, which begins at 8 a.m. Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered. The day’s keynoter is State Rep. Rick Hardcastle of Vernon, who will speak at noon on agriculture and the legislature.

The conference is sponsored by the Extension offices in Taylor, Callahan, Shackelford, Jones, Nolan, and Fisher counties.

“An unusually wet July across much of Texas and Oklahoma has producers optimistic about this fall’s wheat prospects,” said Gary Bomar, Extension agent in Taylor County and the conference coordinator.

“If the moisture holds, the next big question on most farmers’ minds is whether it’s possible to make money off a good wheat crop. That’s our concern at this year’s wheat conference. All the speakers and topics have been carefully selected to examine the profitability question from every angle.”

The program opens with a price and crop outlook delivered by Dr. Mark Waller, Extension grain economist from College Station.

Other speakers will discuss topics that include wheat niche markets, bio-terrorism, the 2002 farm bill, and a variety of wheat management issues ranging from insects, Karnal Bunt and other plant diseases to grazing and conservation tillage.

Pre-registration by Aug. 16 is $7.50 per person. Late registration is $15 per person. Both fees include lunch.

For further information contact the Cooperative Extension office in Taylor County at (915) 672-6048 or any of the other Extension offices sponsoring the event.

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