MUNDAY — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a livestock guardian dog field day Oct. 25 in Munday.
The livestock guardian dog, or LGD, event will run from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Munday Events Center at 348 S. Cedar Ave. It will also include a visit to a local ranch that utilizes LGDs.
The cost is $25 per person and $40 per couple if registered by Oct.18. To register, contact the AgriLife Extension office for Knox County at 940-459-2651. After that date, the cost is $30 per person and $50 per couple.
“Past LGD field days have been a great success and participants have told us in surveys that they increased their knowledge regarding LGDs by about 40% and estimated the economic benefit to their operations at $8.50 per head of small ruminant,” said John Walker, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research center director. “This is the first LGD field day we will hold outside the core sheep and goat production area of the Edwards Plateau, and we are excited about expanding the use of LGD and increasing sheep and goat production to other parts of the state.”
Speakers will include Walker; Reid Redden, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension sheep and goat specialist; and Bill Costanzo, AgriLife Research LGD specialist; all based in San Angelo. There will also be a slate of other speakers and panel discussion comprised of experienced LGD producers.
“Our fall field day will include numerous presentations on best management practices to implement a successful LGD program,” said Redden. “The field day will highlight new technology AgriLife Research and Extension have been investigating to better track LGDs and improve feeding systems.”
Topics discussed will include using GPS trackers with LGDs, feeding systems and stations, dog health and parasites, predator control and wildlife services, the legalities of using LGDs and breeds of LGDs.
“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 owning and working with these dogs,” Costanzo said.
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