Livestock guardian dogs help protect their flocks from predators. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Jack Thorne)
Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu
Contacts: Bill Costanzo, 325-657-7311, Bill.Costanzo@ag.tamu.edu
Lisa Brown, 325-396-4787, lbrown@ag.tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Livestock Guardian Dog Field Day April 12 in Menard.
The livestock guardian dog, or LGD, event will run from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Murchison/Whitehead Memorial Youth Center at state Highway 190 West and will include two ranch tours to view the dogs at work and in bonding pens.
The cost is $25 per person and $40 per couple if registered by April 5; contact the AgriLife Extension office in Menard County at 325-396-4787. After April 5, the cost is $30 per person and $50 per couple. Lunch will be courtesy of Central Texas Farm Credit of Brady.
Livestock guardian dogs learn from a young age to bond with a flock. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Jake Thorne)
“This will be a great opportunity for current and prospective owners of livestock guardian dogs to see demonstrations, hear presentations and ask any questions they may have about these dogs,” said Bill Costanzo, AgriLife Research LGD specialist, San Angelo.
Speakers will include Dr. John Walker, Texas A&M AgriLife Research resident director and Dr. Reid Redden, AgriLife Extension sheep and goat specialist, both in San Angelo. There will also be a panel discussion comprised of producers.
“In Texas, predation is the leading cause for sheep and goat ranchers to go out of business,” said Redden. “This workshop will highlight ranch managers that utilize livestock guardian dogs to keep predators at bay. The field day will include numerous presenters on best management practices for rearing and caring for LGDs. The field day will also highlight new technology AgriLife Research and Extension have been investigating to better track and feed LGDs.”
Topics discussed will include using GPS trackers with livestock guardian dogs. Texas A&M AgriLife Wildlife Services and the Menard Game and Livestock Protection Association groups will also be on hand to make presentations. There will be two Texas Department of Agriculture general continuing education units available.
“The LGD Field Day is back by popular demand. We are excited to be hosting again in Menard County,” said Lisa Brown, AgriLife Extension agent, Menard County. “We’re excited to include two ranch tours that use LGD to manage predation.”
There will be transportation provided from the Murchison/Whitehead Memorial Youth Center to the Noelke Ranch and Jacoby Ranch, where the LGD ranch tours will take place.
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