Stephenville brush management workshop features ‘one stop shop’ for landowner information

AgriLife Extension event to highlight available brush management options

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

Contact: James Jackson 254-968-4144, [email protected]  

          STEPHENVILLE – An information clearinghouse would best describe the May 12 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Cross Timbers Brush Management Symposium, organizers said.

           The event is set for 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Stephenville City Hall, 1907 E. Washington St. in Stephenville, said James Jackson, AgriLife Extension range program specialist at Stephenville.

           “This event is planned to be a one stop shop for Cross Timbers area landowners looking for brush management information,” he said. “Whether their goals are to provide wildlife habitat or to maximize livestock forage production, they will find answers to many of their questions at this event.”

           Jackson said the symposium is meant to introduce and educate landowners on many of the new brush management materials and methods available.

           “This event will guide producers in the way brush management technology is headed and will be taught by some of the best minds in the business.”

           Topics and speakers will include:

           – Rangeland Herbicides, Where We Are Going in the Future, Dr. Josh McGinty, AgriLife Extension agronomist, Corpus Christi.

           – Changing Dietary Habits of Livestock to Improve Use of Unwanted Plants, Jackson.

           – Brush Management Economics, Dr. Jason Johnson, AgriLife Extension economist, Stephenville.

           – Brush Management with Fire and Keeping Wildlife in Mind, Russell Stevens, wildlife and fisheries consultant, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma.

           – Dow AgroSciences Brush Management in Texas, Dr. Charlie Hart, range and pasture specialist, Dow AgroSciences, Stephenville.

          – Weed and Brush Management from Bayer Crop Sciences, Dr. Case Medlin, regional stewardship manager, Bayer Crop Sciences, Paradise.

           Individual registration is $40 and preregistration by May 5 is encouraged. The fee includes a catered lunch and three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units for private applicator license holders. The event will also include a trade show.

           AgriLife Extension offices in the following counties are program collaborators: Erath, Somervell, Hood, Hamilton, Palo Pinto, Eastland, Comanche and Bosque.

           For more information and to register, contact Jackson at 254-968-4144, [email protected] .