Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]

Contact: Chase McPhaul, 325-884-2335, [email protected]

BIG LAKE – A plethora of pertinent ranch-related information awaits those planning to attend the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Reagan County Ag Day on March 25, organizers said.

The day will start with an 8:30 a.m. registration followed by the program from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office Reagan County, 1430 N. Ohio St., Big Lake, said Chase McPhaul, AgriLife Extension agent in Reagan County.

“The topics selected for the program are those being discussed by ranchers across our region these days,” McPhaul said. “The increased rainfall we’ve been getting this winter and the stepped-up oil field activity of recent months have changed the complexion of our country in a number of ways, some for the good and some for the not so good. These changing times call for our producers to have the information to make informed decisions and that’s what this program is designed to provide.”

The program topics will include:

– The 2014 farm bill.

– Restocking Plans that Improve Flexibility.

– Top Laws Texas Landowners NEED to Know.

– Brackish Groundwater: Why It’s Important.

– Current Legislation that May Impact Landowners.

– Predator Management in West Texas.

– Agriculture Water Conservation of Texas.

– U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency updates.

Speakers will include, Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo; Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, Amarillo; Dr. Alyson McDonald, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Fort Stockton; Carmen Cernosek, Agriculture and Rural Texas Ombudsman, Austin; Stephen Zuberbueler, NRCS and Jed Hruska, FSA, Big Lake.    

Individual registration is $10 due upon arrival. The fee includes coffee donuts and lunch, but RSVPs are required by March 20 to ensure an accurate lunch count. For more information and to RSVP call the AgriLife Extension office in Reagan County at 325-884-2335.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing educations units, two general and one laws and regulations will be offered.

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