Reagan, Upton counties set separate morning ag days, unite for afternoon field day
March 28 programs offer meals, CEUs, family friendly evening event
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contacts: Chase McPhaul, 325-884-2335, pcmcphaul@ag.tamu.edu
Raymond Quigg, 432-693-2313, r-quigg@tamu.edu
BIG LAKE/RANKIN – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct separate Ag Days in two neighboring Far West Texas counties on March 28 before coming together for an afternoon field day and family friendly evening meal.
The Reagan County Ag Day is slated to open with registration at 8 a.m. at the AgriLife Extension office, 1430 N. Ohio St. in Big Lake. Individual registration is $10, due upon arrival. Lunch will be provided. For more information and to RSVP by March 21, call the AgriLife Extension office in Reagan County at 325-884-2335.
Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, three general, one laws and regulations, and one integrated pest management, will be offered.
The Upton County Ag Day is set from 8:30 a.m. until noon at the AgriLife Extension office, 1000 N. Texas Highway 329 in Rankin. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Upton County at 432-693-2313.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units in the general category will be offered.
Raymond Quigg, AgriLife Extension agent in Upton County, said organizers decided to hold two separate morning sessions in the respective counties because they would cover different topics, and then come together at 1:30 p.m. at the AgriLife Extension office in Reagan County for the field day tour and subsequent evening meal.
“By using this format, participants will be able to attend the morning program that best meets their needs. And since no lunch will accompany the Upton County program, participants there will have ample time to travel to Big Lake for the afternoon field day tour and evening meal.” Quigg said.
Quigg said families are welcome to attend any or all of both programs, but are especially urged to attend the evening meal set for 6 p.m. at the Eggemeyer Farm, 7642 Texas Highway 137, Big Lake.
Reagan County Ag Day topics will include prescribed burning; wildfire season, prevention, information and updates; recommendations on weed spray and spraying rates; soil health and drip irrigation; market outlooks; brush management techniques; agency updates and toxic weeds to look for this spring.
Reagan County speakers will include Ralph Porter, Dow AgroSciences range and pasture specialist, Abilene; Dr. Morgan Russell, AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo; Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo; Corey Pence, TDA representative, San Angelo; Stephen Zuberbueler, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist, Big Lake; Jed Hruska, USDA Farm Service Agency executive director, Big Lake; Russ Eggemeyer, Reagan County producer; Dr. John Walker, Texas A&M AgriLife Research resident director, San Angelo; Scott Bryan and Grant Teplicek, NRCS rangeland management specialists, Midland and San Angelo, respectively.
Upton County Ag Day topics will include a Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association update, plant identification and current conditions, Feral Hog 101 and livestock market updates.
Upton County Ag Day speakers will include Kenny Wadsworth from Ozona, representing the cattle raisers association; Rosemary Heinen, Texas Wildlife Services district supervisor, Fort Stockton; and Bryan and Thompson.
The afternoon field day will include stops at the O’Bryan Ranch, Coates Ranch and Eggemeyer Farm. The field day will end around 6 p.m. followed immediately by the two-county family meal at the Eggemeyer Farm. The event is being sponsored by Permian Resources and the Middle Concho Soil and Water Conservation District.
