AgriLife Extension sets toxic range plant workshop in Sonora
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]
Contact: Pascual Hernandez 325-387-3101, [email protected]
SONORA – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Toxic Range Plant Workshop on Sept. 22 in Sonora.
The workshop will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by the program at 9 a.m. in the Sutton County Civic Center located on North Crockett Ave. The multi-county educational event is a collaborative effort among the AgriLife Extension offices in Sutton, Schleicher, Edwards and Crockett counties.
“Some years bring about more livestock losses from ingesting toxic plants than others,” said Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County. “Weather patterns, grazing systems and vitamin or mineral deficiencies can all lead to toxic plant consumption.
“While many of us know the ‘usual suspects’ when it comes to toxic plants, many cases of livestock poisoning are misdiagnosed and blamed on disease or parasites. Our goal is to bring producers up to date on our area’s current toxic plant status in an effort to help them manage their stock around potential problems.“
Topics will include Identification of Toxic Plants in Our Area, Integrated Pest Management Strategies, and Understanding The Clinical Signs of Poisoning in Livestock.
“We’ll also introduce Dr. Doug Tolleson, the new superintendent at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station at Sonora,” Hernandez said. “We’ve asked Dr. Tolleson to discuss his past projects and interests as well as his planned research projects at the Sonora Station.”
Speakers will include Dr. Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Fort Stockton; Dr. William Edmiston, a veterinarian, Eldorado; and Dr. Alan McGinty, retired AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered.
Individual preregistration is $20 by Sept. 16 and $25 thereafter. The fee includes lunch. For more information and to preregister, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Sutton County at 325-387-3101 or call any of the AgriLife Extension offices in the participating counties