VICTORIA — To avoid being turned away for lack of seating, those wanting to attend events at the upcoming South Texas Farm and Ranch Show in Victoria are being urged to register now, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent.
“People get caught off guard,” said Joe Janak, an Extension agent in Victoria County. “We’ve had hundreds of people show up in previous years and didn’t have sufficient seating or even standing room. We’ve made more room for this year’s show, but we can do a better job of accommodating folks if they register now for the luncheon and the programs they want to attend,” he said.
The 24th South Texas Farm and Ranch Show will be held Oct. 22-23 at the Victoria Community Center and Janak thinks it will be the best ever.
“That’s because we’ll have booths and programs for every type of landowner, whether farmer, rancher, agriculturist or homeowner,” he said. “It will be worth planning your job, farm work and any other chores around this event so as not to miss any of it.”
The show promises at least 25 speakers and approximately 125 booths that Janak said will be of interest to a wide range of people because of all the latest technology to be on display.
“Whether it’s utilizing a new commodity in feed or mineral for livestock or the strongest machinery that can stand up to South Texas brush, or maybe the latest computer software to improve your operations, this show will have it all,” he said.
In addition to the information, festivities and goodwill to be had, Janak said continuing education units will be available.
“We’ll be offering 9.5 hours of TDA (Texas Department of Agriculture) pesticide credits, including two hours in laws and regulations, 6.5 hours in integrated pest management and one hour in general,” he said.
For those in commercial agriculture who need certified crop advisory credits, 11 hours will be offered, including one hour in nutrients, seven hours in pests and three in crops.
A crowd-pleaser from the past, the Cattlemen’s College will return this year. It will be held each of both mornings starting at 6:30 a.m. with a free, hearty breakfast.
“This year, ranchers will learn about what it takes to produce quality beef that is competitive in international markets so that ranchers get more money for their calves,” he said.
“We’ll be discussing the production practices ranchers can follow to be a strong link in the South Texas beef industry chain.”
The Cattlemen’s College will also include a panel discussion among beef processors, feedyard managers and cattle buyers.
“These discussions will address improving the management of range beef cattle operations to reduce costs and increase returns,” Janak said.
To make a farmstead more productive while transforming it into a more enjoyable and pleasant place to live, Janak recommends attending other show programs.
“You can learn about citrus for the home landscape, fire ant management, managing insects and diseases in turfgrass and using arthropods as control agents for insect pests,” he said. “And all of these will be worth pesticide credit.”
Speakers include Ruth Hoyt, a nationally known naturalist and photographer from Linn, who will illustrate the financial benefits of photography and ecotourism to landowners. “Our luncheon speakers should be of interest to all,” Janak said.
State Sen. Glenn Hegar of Katy will discuss key issues facing agriculture on Oct. 22, and Dr. Jerry Parsons, an AgriLife Extension horticulturist from San Antonio, will talk about superstar plants for use in farm and ranch homesteads on Oct. 23, he said.
“Lots of people have been working long and hard to plan a bigger and better show, and I believe the 2008 South Texas Farm and Ranch Show will prove to be one of the best ever,” said Gary Loest, show chairman.
“But it will be an even greater experience if you sign up now for the events you want to attend,” Janak said.
For more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Victoria County 361-575-4851, or visit the show Web site at http://www.southtexasfarmandranchshow.com .