AgriLife Extension’s Ranchers Roundup set for May 20 in Sonora

Event to focus on enhancing range and livestock production

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Pascual Hernandez, 325-387-3101, p-hernandez@tamu.edu

SONORA – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the multi-county event, “Ranchers Roundup – Enhancing Range and Livestock Production,” beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Sutton County Civic Center in Sonora.

Participating counties include Sutton, Edwards, Schleicher and Irion.

Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County, said timely rains have benefited the region’s rangeland and provided much-needed optimism, but the much improved rangeland conditions also raises questions.

“Will the rains produce a flush of toxic plants?” Hernandez asked. “Should I buy cows or replacement heifers? How do I select cows that’ll make money? And how can I best take advantage of the positive, but somewhat volatile sheep and goat market trends?

“The annual Ranchers Roundup will address those questions and more. It’s a time of cautious optimism that we hope our producers will be able to profit from wisely.”

Topics and speakers will include:

– Beef Industry Update, Dr. Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Uvalde.

– Sheep and Goat Industry Outlook, Benny Cox, Producers Livestock Auction, San Angelo.

– Reducing Livestock Losses to Toxic Plants, Dr. Morgan Russell, AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo.

– Antibiotics and Hormones in Animal Production, Dr. Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, College Station.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, one integrated pest management and 2 general, will be offered.

Individual registration is $10. For more information and to RSVP by May 18, call the AgriLife Extension office in Sutton County at 325-387-3101.

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