Hay production, wildlife focus of O.D. Butler Field Day May 16 at Camp Cooley Ranch

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

Contacts: Edward Schneider, 979-828-4270, robertson-tx@tamu.edu

Dusty Tittle, 979-823-0129, c-tittle@tamu.edu

FRANKLIN – Hay production and management strategies, plus several presentations on co-existing with wildlife will highlight the 28th annual O.D. Butler Field Day scheduled May 16 at Camp Cooley Ranch.

The ranch is located at 4297 Camp Cooley Ranch Road in Franklin. The field day is hosted by Circle X Land and Cattle Company-Camp Cooley Division.

“Activities and presentations at this year’s field day will include six tour stops of demonstrations,” said Edward Schneider, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service  agent for Robertson County. “Other activities will include a contest with prizes as part of the hay value stop, a program on co-existing with wildlife on your ranch, information from Texas Farm Bureau on the June 2-6 Texas Beef Checkoff Referendum, sponsor booth visitation and door prizes.”

Registration is $25 and includes refreshments, a barbecue lunch and printed materials with information from the various outdoor stops and indoor presentations.  Schneider said attendees can find directions to the O.D. Butler Field Day on the AgriLife Extension Robertson County Facebook page or request them by email at robertson-tx@tamu.edu . He also said field day signs will be placed along the way to the ranch.

Call the AgriLife Extension office in Robertson County at 979-828-4270 or the AgriLife Extension Brazos County office at 979-823-0129 to preregister for the meal count.

Topics and speakers include:

– Discussion and demonstration of nozzle selection for the best control of sandburs. Dr. Paul Baumann, AgriLife Extension state weed specialist, College Station.

– Discussion of three-yaupon control plots on the Camp Cooley Ranch and an ongoing grass clipping demonstration, Dr. Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension state range specialist, College Station, and James Jackson, AgriLife Extension range program specialist, Stephenville.

– Economic value of hay, Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist, College Station.

– Soil renovation at a recent renovation demonstration site – effectiveness versus cost, Dr. Tony Provin, AgriLife Extension soil chemist, College Station.

– Soil preparation for sprigging or seeding grasses, Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension, forage specialist, Overton.

– Weed and grass control in newly established Bermuda grasses, Josh McGinty, AgriLife Extension weed control program assistant, College Station.

Numerous demonstration plots will be available for attendees to view. Some of these include grasshopper control plots and weed plots, according to organizers.

“The last portion of the program will  be held in the air conditioned sale pavilion,” Schneider said.  “The afternoon will focus on co-existing with wildlife and will include updates on feral hogs and white-tailed deer as well as birds and smaller mammals. Dr. James Cathey, AgriLife Extension program leader for wildlife and fisheries in College Station, will present the program.”

Tracy Tomascik with Texas Farm Bureau will conclude the program with a brief discussion on the upcoming Texas Beef Checkoff Referendum.

-30-