Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Jo Smith, 936-544-7502, Jo.Smith@ag.tamu.edu
CENTERVILLE – Weed and huisache control methods, plus a tour of the Center Ranch, headline the 2014 Cow Country Congress scheduled Oct. 24 at the Center Ranch, 3582 Farm-to-Market Road 811 in Centerville.
Jo Smith, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Houston County, said this year’s program is one East Texas cattle producers will not want to miss.
“We think attendees will take home a lot of information that they can apply to their own beef cattle operations and hopefully add more dollars to their pockets,” she said. “We will have informative presentations on several topics, plus a tour of the Center Ranch where attendees will learn more about heifer development, view a pasture renovation demonstrationand enjoy a steak lunch provided by Texas Farm Credit.”
Cost is $20 and preregistration is requested. For a registration form and to pre-register, call 936-544-7502.
Walk-up registration begins at 7:15 a.m. with the program starting at 8:30 a.m. at ranch headquarters. The ranch tour also will feature heifer development, veterinary clinic operations and a cutting horse facility. Along the tour route producers will see pocket gopher control efforts.
State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, will also speak immediately following lunch on legislative updates and issues facing producers. Other presentations include weed identification and control, and a huisache control discussion.
“With cattle prices at historic highs, producing more pounds of beef is more important than ever, and that can be accomplished with proper weed control,” Smith said. “Some of the pastures in the area still have unwanted huisache and it can be a challenge to manage. There will be several management strategies and some of the latest technologies discussed that attendees will be take interest in.”
The Cow Country Congress event is hosted by the AgriLife Extension offices in Anderson, Freestone, Houston, Leon, Madison, Polk, Trinity and Walker counties.
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